Officials Monitor 5 Million World Cup Tickets for Heat, Measles and Food Safety Risks
Updated
Updated · Yahoo Sports · May 25
Officials Monitor 5 Million World Cup Tickets for Heat, Measles and Food Safety Risks
4 articles · Updated · Yahoo Sports · May 25
Five million tickets have been sold for the 2026 World Cup, prompting U.S. officials and health experts to step up monitoring of infectious disease, extreme heat and food safety risks before play begins June 11.
Nearly 2,000 U.S. measles cases had been reported by May 21, making the highly contagious virus a bigger concern than influenza as fans arrive across 16 host cities in the U.S., Mexico and Canada.
Mid-80s highs in Houston and Miami and mid-90s averages in Monterrey could raise heat illness risks, especially for spectators waiting outside venues, drinking alcohol or unaccustomed to local conditions.
Georgia and Arlington, Texas, have intensified inspections of restaurants, food trucks and temporary food sites, focusing on barriers and temperature controls to prevent outbreaks from pathogens such as salmonella, E. coli and Norovirus.
The tournament will feature a record 48 teams and 104 matches through July 19, testing public-health systems across North America as millions of international visitors move between venues.
As millions cross borders for the World Cup, can three nations stop one outbreak without a unified plan?
An Ebola outbreak is now a global emergency. What is the plan if a case reaches the World Cup?