FIFA World Cup 2026 Team Doctors Medical Workshop

In early March, Dr Jones attended a medical workshop in Atlanta, USA, which was organized by FIFA who invited all of the Team Doctors of the Teams that are participating in the upcoming FIFA 2026 World Cup in North America.

The workshop was an opportunity for FIFA to provide an educational workshop on medical, emergency, and logistical aspects to assist Team Doctors in preparation for participation in the World Cup.

Practical sessions on on-field management of cardiac arrest, neck injuries, and concussion were provided by Specialist Physician FIFA instructors in an interactive, practical, full-day teaching session.

On the second day, there were a series of lectures on strategies to deal with environmental factors such as heat, travel, jet lag etc.

Other teaching sessions were provided to discuss logistical processes and challenges.

The workshop was also invaluable in creating a positive environment for Team Doctors to interact with their medical colleagues from the other participating Teams and who will be facing similar challenges throughout the upcoming World Cup Finals and in preparations prior to departure.

An official Team Doctor’s dinner was conducted whereby there was an opportunity to dine with colleagues from the other teams and beneficially, to meet and interact with the Chief Medical Officers of the various host cities in which each particular participating Team would be playing a World Cup match. These CMOs will be able to facilitate access for participating Teams to medical services as needed for their World Cup matches in these host cities.

At the dinner, Dr Jones was also able to engage with and develop a constructive working and social relationship with the CMO allocated by FIFA to host city San Francisco as the Socceroos have chosen San Francisco as their base camp throughout the World Cup.