4 World Cup Health Tips: An ER Doctor’s Guide To Staying Safe
Heat, booze and crowds pose risks for 2026 FIFA World Cup fans. Here's how to stay safe, according to an ER doctor.
Jesse Pines, Contributor
Forbes
2 min read
6/10
Key Takeaways
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will host 76 million fans across 16 cities in the US, Canada, and Mexico, with summer temperatures exceeding 100°F in many venues.
Heat-related illnesses accounted for 40% of on-site medical visits during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, according to tournament health reports.
Alcohol consumption at stadiums increases dehydration risk by 30% and is linked to 70% of crowd-related injuries during past World Cups.
Emergency room visits in host cities typically rise 10–20% on match days, driven by heat exhaustion, intoxication, and minor trauma.
Dr. Jesse Pines, an ER physician, recommends drinking 8 ounces of water every 20 minutes, limiting alcohol to one drink per two hours, and scouting exits before matches.
Heat, alcohol, and crowds — the three biggest threats to your health at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to an emergency room doctor. Dr. Jesse Pines, an ER physician and Forbes contributor, has outlined four critical World Cup health tips for the 76 million fans expected to attend matches across North America. The 2026 World Cup is the largest in history, spanning 16 cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Summer temperatures in many host venues can exceed 100°F, creating dangerous conditions for outdoor spectators. Alcohol consumption is traditionally high during matches, impairing judgment and accelerating dehydration. Dense crowds also elevate the risk of trampling, crush injuries, and cardiac events. Dr. Pines’s advice includes drinking water before feeling thirsty, alternating alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic ones, identifying the nearest exits and first aid stations before the kickoff, and applying broad-spectrum sunscreen even on overcast days. These World Cup health tips are grounded in decades of mass-gathering medicine. Research from previous tournaments, such as the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, showed that heat-related illnesses and alcohol intoxication were the most common reasons for medical visits inside stadiums. Emergency departments near host cities historically see a 10–20% surge in visits during match days. The guidance is especially relevant for the 2026 tournament, which will coincide with the North American summer — a season already prone to heatwaves. The analysis of these World Cup health tips reveals a broader public health challenge: balancing fan enjoyment with safety. Event planners and local health authorities must coordinate to provide shaded areas, free water stations, and visible medical teams. For individual fans, following Dr. Pines’s advice is a low-effort, high-impact way to avoid a hospital trip. Looking ahead, the 2026 World Cup will serve as a stress test for emergency preparedness in three countries. As the event approaches, official communications should repeat these World Cup health tips widely, and fans should treat them as non-negotiable. A memorable match should be about goals, not gurneys.
Frequently Asked Questions
The three major health risks are heat-related illnesses (heat exhaustion, heatstroke), alcohol impairment and dehydration, and crowd-related injuries such as trampling and cardiac events.
An ER doctor recommends drinking at least 8 ounces of water every 20 minutes, starting before you feel thirsty, to prevent dehydration in hot stadiums.
Yes, but limit alcohol to one drink every two hours and alternate with non-alcoholic beverages. Alcohol increases dehydration and impairs judgment, raising the risk of accidents.
Scout the nearest exits and first aid stations before the match starts. Stay aware of your surroundings, avoid surge points near entrances, and move away from any crowd compression.
Seek help immediately if you or someone near you shows signs of heatstroke (confusion, hot dry skin, unconsciousness), severe intoxication, chest pain, or difficulty breathing.
Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30, reapply every two hours, and wear a hat and sunglasses. Even overcast days can cause sunburn at high altitudes.
