Epidemiologists in the US will monitor wastewater and internet chatter in host cities across the US and Canada to track infectious diseases during the 2026 World Cup, which began June 8 in Mexico [1, 2]. The 39-day event is expected to attract over 6.5 million soccer fans from more than 100 countries for 104 games across the US, Canada, and Mexico [1, 2].
The scale of international travel raises the risk of rapid disease transmission amid ongoing outbreaks such as measles, Ebola, and hantavirus [1, 2]. US public health officials face challenges after cuts to budgets and staffing under the Trump administration and following the US withdrawal from the World Health Organization [1, 2].
A new public health team has converted a Georgetown University lab into an epidemiological command post that brings together academic, nonprofit, private, and government experts. The center will issue daily reports to hospital emergency managers, public health authorities, and FIFA to flag emerging risks [1, 2].
The operations center launched in partnership with MedStar Health, which runs one of the nation's 13 biocontainment units, will serve as a model for monitoring other large events including the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics [1, 2]. Advanced wastewater analysis using DNA and RNA sequencing to detect microbial genetic material forms a key part of efforts to spot infectious threats early [1, 2].
Rebecca Katz, part of the team, said the system is "incredibly powerful" for preventing outbreaks [1]. The World Cup will continue through July 16, with monitoring efforts maintaining a focus on protecting public health during the prolonged event [1, 2].