World Cup Initiative
Objectives
Applied epidemiologists play a key role promoting and protecting the public’s health, preventing the spread of disease, and in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from large, planned events, including FIFA World Cup 2026. As such, CSTE is working to achieve its preparedness and response objectives
Facilitate bidirectional communication
Facilitate bidirectional communication between state, tribal, local, and territorial (STLT) public health agencies and partners, including assist federal partners sharing information with membership and collaborating with partner organizations to support STLTs.
Objectives continued
Provide technical assistance, tools, and resources to STLT public health agencies through facilitating peer-to-peer support.
Advise and inform policy decision by providing subject matter expertise and perspective from STLT epidemiologists through providing pre-decisional input on draft strategies, policies or other resources.
To achieve these response objectives
CSTE is engaged with membership and partners to incorporate applied epidemiology into World Cup planning, preparedness, response, and recovery.
In June 2025, CSTE held the first installment of the Integrating Applied Epidemiologists into World Cup Planning Webinar Series; this webinar series provides a space for epidemiologists at STLT public health agencies to learn from one another, share ideas, and discover strategies to integrating public health surveillance activities into preparedness and response efforts for the FIFA World Cup 26 that are also applicable to other large, planned events.
Jurisdiction Experience
CSTE’s Applied Epidemiology
CSTE’s Applied Epidemiology Fellow, Emily Laskowski and 2025 CSTE Fellowship Alumnus Award winner John Olmstead are featured in our blog posts about FIFA World Cup 2026 planning activities.
CSTE also convenes epidemiologists in jurisdictions with official World Cup activities, including matches and hub sites.
In June 2026, CSTE began the “CSTE Epi Pitch: Rapid Rundowns for Situational Awareness” meeting series. This convening brings together epidemiologists in World Cup jurisdictions (jurisdictions with matches, training hub sites, fan fests, etc.) twice weekly to share information and updates related to ongoing public health surveillance efforts in order to maintain situational awareness nationally
Navigate Preparedness Site
Home
For more information on CSTE’s Preparedness and Response activities, please contact the CSTE National Office at preparedness@cste.org.
World Cup 2026
As the World Cup draws global attention, preparedness is key—not just for fans, but for public health, safety, and security professionals.
Response Strategies And Coordination
The CSTE Preparedness and Response Team and other staff from the CSTE National Office engage STLT epidemiologists
Resources
Identify and cultivate partnerships with other practitioners working on chronic disease surveillance modernization.