FIFA announces cross-border anti-doping cooperation for 2026 WC

FIFA on Wednesday announced a joint anti-doping initiative with agencies from the United States, Canada and Mexico ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted across the three countries from June 11 to July 19.

The tournament, which will feature 48 teams for the first time, will be the largest World Cup in history and is expected to involve a significantly expanded testing and operational program across 16 host cities.

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), Sport Integrity Canada and Mexico's National Anti-Doping Committee (MEX-NADO) will assist FIFA with both pre-tournament and in-competition testing.

"Under the agreements, each national anti-doping organization (NADO) will conduct out-of-competition testing under FIFA's testing authority and direction in the lead-up to the tournament," FIFA said in a statement.

"During the competition, each NADO will provide doping control officers (DCOs) to support FIFA's DCOs during both out-of-competition testing missions and in-competition testing on matchdays at every host city venue."

FIFA Chief Legal and Compliance Officer Emilio Garcia Silvero said cooperation with the three anti-doping bodies would help strengthen testing operations during the tournament.

FIFA said the testing program would follow the World Anti-Doping Code, FIFA Anti-Doping Regulations and related international standards.