Kansas City health officials issue public health guidance ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Kansas City

“Large international events like the FIFA World Cup bring people and germs from all over the world,” said Andrew Warlen, director of the Platte County Health Department. “Large crowds and increased travel can elevate the risk of spreading infectious diseases. We want everyone to take a few common sense steps to stay healthy.” 

General Health and Safety Recommendations 

To prevent the spread of disease and to keep yourself safe, follow these best practices:

• Stay home if you are sick. If you have a fever, cough or other contagious symptoms, avoid events and gatherings.
• Wash hands frequently. Use soap and water and scrub hands for at least 20 seconds. Use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol when handwashing isn’t possible.
• Cover coughs and sneezes. Cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue.
• Stay hydrated and protect yourself from the heat. Drink plenty of water, wear lightweight clothing and take breaks in air conditioned areas if needed.

Vaccination Recommendations

Residents are encouraged to review their vaccination status with a healthcare provider or contact their local health department to make sure they are current on all recommended vaccines.

Health officials recommend adults and families check if they are up to date on:

• Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) – protects against diseases that spread quickly in large gatherings.
• Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (Tdap) – essential for adolescents, pregnant women and adults who spend time around infants.
• Hepatitis A – protects against infection spread through close person-to-person contact and eating contaminated food and drink.
• Influenza (flu shot) – updated annually to target the latest strains.
• COVID-19 – based on age and risk factors, protects from current circulating strains.

“Being up to date on vaccinations means you can enjoy the energy and excitement of the soccer matches, watch parties and fan events without worrying about preventable illness,” said Warlen. “It’s a small step that makes a big difference for your health and our community.”

Stay Informed

Local health departments will continually provide updates to both residents and visitors throughout the tournament about public health concerns, such as foodborne illness, contagious diseases or extreme heat, and how to protect yourself during this global event.

“We are committed to protecting the health of our community and guests during this historic event for our city,” said Warlen. “By working together and taking simple preventative steps, we can ensure the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Kansas City is a safe and memorable experience for everyone.”

More information:

• Local health departments in the Kansas City metro area
• American Academy of Family Physicians vaccine and immunization information

Additionally, Kansas City area health officials have developed a Public Health Toolkit to help share timely, trusted health and safety information during the tournament. The toolkit is available for anyone to use for news coverage, social media, in-person events and beyond. Resources include ready-to-use messaging, digital graphics, posters and more focused on topics such as extreme heat, infectious diseases, food safety, emergency preparedness, and other public health considerations to help support a safe and enjoyable experience for residents and visitors alike.