Hospitals Brace for 2026 World Cup Surge in 11 US Cities

Hospitals and health systems across the 11 U.S. host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have spent months preparing for an event that kicks off June 11 and is expected to be the largest in tournament history, according to Becker's Hospital Review. The competition will bring millions of international visitors to North America for 104 matches across the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

The influx creates distinct operational challenges. Health systems are planning for emergency department surges as crowds concentrate around stadiums and fan events. They are also watching for infectious disease risks, including measles, as travelers arrive from regions with varying vaccination rates and active outbreaks.

The financial strain is just as real. Many foreign visitors lack U.S. insurance coverage, leaving hospitals exposed to unpaid bills for emergency care they are obligated to provide. For host-city systems, the World Cup is both a public health stress test and a reminder of how mass gatherings expose gaps in capacity, surveillance and reimbursement.