As our region prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, healthcare systems and response partners have an important opportunity to strengthen readiness for high-consequence infectious diseases (HCIDs) and other emerging threats associated with large-scale international events. Increased travel, large crowds, and complex operational environments can place added demands on healthcare facilities, emergency management systems, and public health agencies. Many local and state partners have resources available for healthcare facilities and clinicians. Due to proximity of healthcare facilities to Houston where the matches will be played, it is important to prepare for the impact: higher volume of patients, language barriers, heart-related illness, foodborne illness, mosquito-borne illness, and infectious disease risks. Be aware of how and where to report the Texas Notifiable Conditions. Below are some helpful links.
- DSHS World Cup Information for Physicians and Other Clinicians in Texas – Provides information on the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) World Cup Infectious Diseases Consultation Hotline, a free hotline to assist providers in Texas with diagnosis, management, and/or public health navigation for suspected infections related to the 2026 FIFA World Cup events.
- 24/7 hotline through July 31, 2026: 866-213-3368. Please note the hotline does not replace existing infectious disease consultation processes or the requirement to report suspected disease cases to public health. Treating physicians and other clinicians retain clinical responsibility for all patient care decisions and responsibility for prompt notification to public health entities. Please visit https://www.mcphd-tx.org/epidemiology/ for instructions on reporting Texas Notifiable Conditions to Montgomery County Public Health.
DSHS World Cup Infectious Diseases Consultation Hotline flyer
- Houston Health Department FIFA 2026 Website – Provides Health and Medical Resources for healthcare facilities and clinicians.
- SouthEast Texas Regional Advisory Council (SETRAC) FIFA World Cup 2026 Website – Provides Health and Medical Resources for healthcare facilities and clinicians.
- National Emerging Special Pathogens Training & Education Center (NETEC) FIFA World Cup 2026 Preparedness Resources – A collection of preparedness tools and operational guidance to support frontline healthcare readiness before and during the tournament. Resources focus on screening, identification, isolation, communication, incident response, and preparedness planning for special pathogen events and travel-associated infectious diseases.
- Emory University Project ECHO Thinking Ahead of the World Cup Sessions and Resources – Access recordings of past webinars and associated resources for Project ECHO’s “Thinking Ahead of the World Cup”, a series of focus on special pathogens and infectious diseases.