The World Cup vs. bugs, germs and heat: Here's the game plan

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - MAY 16: Attendees stand in line for the fan mart during the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour on May 16, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. Todd Kirkland/FIFA/via Getty Images hide caption

Millions of people are about to pack stadiums across the U.S., Canada and Mexico for the World Cup, starting June 11.

Public health officials have been working to ensure the health and safety of the masses of fans they're expecting at the 104 matches across 16 cities through mid-July.

In the U.S., World Cup preparations are coming in a time of a diminished federal health presence and funding. It's upped the workload for host city health departments, as they're also strapped for federal funding.

Nevertheless, World Cup host city health officials say they're prepared for the many challenges that come with large-scale celebrations and gatherings.

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"We've been focusing on expecting the expected" — issues related to weather, health and human behavior, says Dr. Marcus Plescia , district health director for Fulton County, Georgia, which includes Atlanta.

Planning for the event is ongoing, says Dr. Philip Huang , director of Dallas County Health and Human Services in Texas. "To be able to begin preparations a year out is a luxury for us, compared to a lot of the situations that we deal with," he says.