The football governing body, FIFA, has announced an expanded anti-doping programme for the FIFA World Cup 2026, following new and renewed partnerships with anti-doping agencies across the tournament’s three host nations.
The 2026 World Cup, which will be staged across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is expected to feature one of the most comprehensive anti-doping operations in the competition’s history.
In a post obtained from its website on Wednesday, FIFA confirmed it will continue its collaboration with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, USADA, alongside new formal agreements with Sport Integrity Canada and Mexico’s national body, MEX-NADO.
The partnerships build on previous cooperation during the FIFA Club World Cup and are aimed at ensuring consistent testing standards across all host venues before and during the tournament.
Under the agreement, the national anti-doping organizations will conduct out-of-competition testing under FIFA’s authority in the build-up to the competition. During the tournament, they will also support FIFA doping control officers on matchdays across all host cities.
FIFA’s Chief Legal and Compliance Officer, Emilio Silvero, said strong collaboration between organizations is essential to protecting the integrity of the sport.
“Major international events require strong partnerships,” Silvero said. “By working with USADA, Sport Integrity Canada, and Mexico’s National Anti-Doping Committee, we’re strengthening our global anti-doping efforts and reinforcing FIFA’s commitment to fair and clean competition.”
Also Read: FIFA cuts World Cup transport costs after fans’ outcry
Sport Integrity Canada Chief Executive Officer Jeremy Luke also welcomed the collaboration, describing it as key to maintaining trust in sport.
“We are excited to partner with FIFA and to support Canadian anti-doping controls at the FIFA World Cup,” Luke said. “Protecting the integrity of sport requires a coordinated effort, and we’re proud to do our part to keep the game clean on the world’s biggest stage in our own home.”
MEX-NADO Executive Director Dr. Juan Manuel Herrera Navarro said the organization was proud to support the tournament in Mexico, stressing the importance of fairness and integrity on the global stage.
USADA Chief Executive Officer Travis T. Tygart added that international cooperation is vital to ensuring a level playing field for all athletes.
“This kind of international partnership between like-minded organizations is absolutely critical to ensuring that clean players have access to a level playing field on a global stage like the FIFA World Cup 2026,” Tygart said.
FIFA said the expanded programme will align with the World Anti-Doping Code and international testing standards, with coordinated sample collection and enforcement across all three host countries.
Preparations for the programme will continue ahead of the tournament, as FIFA works with its partners to implement a unified testing system designed to uphold fairness and integrity throughout the competition.
PUNCH NEWS
