World football governing body FIFA has announced an expanded anti-doping programme for the 2026 World Cup, with new and renewed partnerships across the tournament’s three host nations.
The United States, Canada and Mexico will co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
FIFA said the programme would be one of the most extensive anti-doping operations in the competition’s history, covering activities before and during the tournament.
FIFA said in a statement on its website Wednesday, May 13, that it would continue working with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency and would enter into formal agreements with Sport Integrity Canada and Mexico’s national anti-doping agency, MEX-NADO.
The football body said the partnerships were to ensure consistent testing standards at all host venues.
FIFA said the national anti-doping organisations would be conducting out-of-competition tests under its authority prior to the competition.
On matchdays, the agencies will also provide assistance to FIFA doping control officers at all host cities during the tournament.
Emilio Silvero, FIFA’s Chief Legal and Compliance Officer, said cooperation between the organisations was needed to protect the integrity of the tournament.
“Big international events need strong partnerships,” Silvero said.
“Partnering with USADA, Sport Integrity Canada and Mexico’s National Anti-Doping Committee helps to strengthen our global anti-doping efforts and reaffirms FIFA’s commitment to fair and clean competition.”
Jeremy Luke, Chief Executive Officer of Sport Integrity Canada, also welcomed the partnership, saying it would help maintain public confidence in sport.
“We are excited to partner with FIFA and to support Canadian anti-doping controls at the FIFA World Cup,” Luke stated.
“Protecting the integrity of sport is a team effort and we are proud to do our bit to keep the game clean on the world’s biggest stage in our own backyard.”
MEX-NADO Executive Director, Dr. Juan Manuel Herrera Navarro said the organisation was proud to support the tournament in Mexico stressing the need to ensure fairness and integrity on the world stage.
USADA Chief Executive Officer Travis T. Tygart said international cooperation was important in ensuring players competed fairly.
“The kind of international partnership between like-minded organizations is absolutely critical to make sure that clean players have access to a level playing field on a global stage like FIFA World Cup 2026,” Tygart said.
The expanded anti-doping programme will be in line with the World Anti-Doping Code and international testing standards, with sample collection and enforcement coordinated across the United States, Canada and Mexico, FIFA said.
The organisation added that preparations would continue ahead of the tournament as it works with partners to deliver a unified testing system designed to safeguard fairness and integrity throughout the competition.
