With 104 matches slated to take place across 16 host cities in the USA, Canada and Mexico, the upcoming 2026 World Cup is generating incredible excitement. As fans prepare to watch the tournament unfold in cities ranging from Los Angeles and Vancouver to Guadalajara and New York/New Jersey, it is the perfect time to highlight the massive—and often unseen—medical infrastructure that keeps these elite athletes performing at their peak.

The World Cup medical workforce

While organizations like FIFA and U.S. Soccer keep staffing numbers closely guarded, a deep dive into historical data and tournament regulations reveals the sheer scale of the medical operations required.

Each participating federation decides how to allocate its delegation, but most national teams travel with a dedicated medical staff. Typically, teams bring a lead team physician and one or two additional sports medicine doctors, totaling roughly two to four physicians per squad. For example, both the U.S. Men’s (USMNT) and Women’s (USWNT) national teams rely on large “high-performance” staffs, each traveling with an estimated two to three sports medicine physicians along with physical therapists, athletic trainers and performance specialists.

Of course, the medical footprint extends far beyond team benches. FIFA ensures comprehensive player care by providing every participating team with access to:

• A designated Venue Medical Officer (VMO) at each host city
• Emergency medical teams, ambulance services and concussion assessment personnel
• Local physicians and hospital networks

When combining EMTs, nurses, paramedics and specialized providers dedicated to training grounds and stadiums, the tournament’s medical workforce will number in the hundreds. Once spectator medical services are added, the total clinical support staff across the tournament will surge into the thousands.

Local hospitals take the lead

Major regional healthcare systems will serve as the backbone of this operation. In the Dallas/Arlington area—which will host the highest volume of matches—Parkland Health and a Texas Health Resources hospital in Fort Worth have been designated official World Cup facilities equipped to handle major trauma and mass-casualty responses. Similarly, the University of Kansas Health System is helping lead event operations as the official medical services provider for the host city of Kansas City.

The true heart of sports medicine

While international events like the World Cup and the upcoming Summer Olympics in Los Angeles put a spotlight on the specialty, one of the most rewarding aspect of sports medicine is helping everyday people stay active throughout their lives.

Unlike many medical specialties that focus strictly on disease management, sports medicine is fundamentally about preserving a patient’s identity. Your patients could be:

• A high school soccer player working toward a college scholarship
• A 45-year-old marathon runner training to qualify for Boston
• A 70-year-old retiree determined to stay on the pickleball court
• A factory worker who wants to comfortably hike with their grandchildren

One of the greatest perks of the field is that sports medicine patients are highly motivated. Active individuals are usually eager to participate in their rehab, follow treatment plans and measure their progress, creating a deeply satisfying clinical dynamic.

Sports medicine opportunities nationwide

If you are looking to advance your career in this fulfilling field, PracticeLink currently hosts dozens of premier sports medicine opportunities across the country, including:

• Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (Lebanon, NH): Seeking an orthopaedic primary care sports medicine physician. This role offers the opportunity to work with local athletic organizations and Dartmouth College’s elite Division I athletic programs.
• University of Louisville (Louisville, KY): Seeking a full-time family medicine faculty member to join the Division of Primary Care Sports Medicine. You will see clinic patients, supervise fellows and attend training room sessions with UofL athletics.
• Citizens Memorial Healthcare (Bolivar, MO): Hiring a sports medicine physician for its orthopaedic clinic, featuring a defined, ongoing relationship with Southwest Baptist University.
• Bayhealth Medical Center (Milford & Dover, DE): Seeking a primary care/sports medicine physician to serve communities in Delaware.
• Monroe Clinic Hospital (Monroe, WI), part of SSM Health: Seeking a full-time, outpatient sports medicine doctor for its rapidly growing program.

Orthopaedic surgery – sports medicine opportunities

• Camden Clark Medical Center (Parkersburg, WV), part of WVU Medicine: Seeking a sports medicine orthopaedic surgeon whose medical expertise will have a meaningful impact on its diverse patient community.
• St. Francis-Emory Healthcare (Columbus, GA), part of Scion Health: Seeking an orthopaedic surgeon to join its group practice. In a role that includes sports medicine and general ortho.
• Dignity Health Medical Group (Gilbert, AZ), part of CommonSpirit Health: Seeking a sports medicine surgeon/physician to join its expanding orthopaedic department in East Phoenix. The role includes at least two clinic days per week as well as coverage of high school football games.
• WellSpan Medical Group (Chambersburg, PA): Seeking an orthopaedic surgeon in its practice in western Pennsylvania. The role includes a large referral base  and four clinic locations.
• Trinity Health, a healthcare system across 17 states has opportunities in Davenport, IA, Fresno, CAand Syracuse, NY, which recently launched a new orthopaedic surgery program.

Ready for your next move? If you are an established sports medicine physician looking for new career horizons, explore job listings at PracticeLink.com. If you’re currently in a sports medicine fellowship, our GME Relations team can help update your CV to stand out to top employers. Reach out for a CV review and other resources at gme@practicelink.com.