The 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 countries.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
FIFA said the programme would be one of the most comprehensive anti-doping operations in the history of the competition, covering activities before and during the tournament.
In a statement posted on its website on Wednesday, May 13, FIFA confirmed that it would continue its collaboration with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, while also entering into formal agreements with Sport Integrity Canada and Mexico’s national anti-doping body, MEX-NADO.
The football body said the partnerships were aimed at ensuring consistent testing standards across all host venues.
According to FIFA, the national anti-doping organisations will conduct out-of-competition tests under its authority in the build-up to the competition.
During the tournament, the agencies will also support FIFA doping control officers on matchdays across all host cities.
FIFA’s Chief Legal and Compliance Officer, Emilio Silvero, said cooperation among the organisations was necessary to protect the integrity of the tournament.
“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.”
Sport Integrity Canada Chief Executive Officer, Jeremy Luke, also welcomed the partnership, saying it would help maintain public 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 organisation was proud to support the tournament in Mexico, stressing the need to uphold fairness and integrity on the global stage.
USADA Chief Executive Officer, Travis T. Tygart, said international cooperation was important in ensuring fair competition for players.
“This kind of international partnership between like-minded organisations 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 anti-doping programme would align with the World Anti-Doping Code and international testing standards, with coordinated sample collection and enforcement across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The organisation added that preparations would continue ahead of the tournament as it works with partners to implement a unified testing system designed to protect fairness and integrity throughout the competition.
