EPA and FIFA Partner for World Cup Health

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched a website designed to help U.S. host cities, venues, partners, and fans access practical tools, and information to enhance environmental stewardship during the World Cup.

With more than 10 million fans expected across 11 U.S. host cities, the site supports EPA’s mission to protect human health and the environment by making it easier to find tools and resources for clean and healthy soccer games. The site will also feature information about FIFA and host city environmental efforts.

EPA is also providing technical assistance, science-based tools, air quality data, and advisory support to FIFA and local partners to reduce food waste, improve recycling, bolster air quality management, and expand environmental education to support clean air, land, and water efforts in U.S. host cities during and after the World Cup. 

The focus areas of the partnership between EPA and FIFA include:

• Food waste reduction through FIFA’s participation in EPA’s Feed It Onward initiative as a voluntary partner organization.
• Air quality by providing air quality monitoring data from existing regulatory monitors in proximity to U.S. cities hosting competition matches. 
• Solid waste management and circular economy by providing technical assistance and advisory consultations to U.S. host cities and stadiums on waste management, recycling, food waste diversion, and more.
• Environmental education by supporting initiatives focused on regional and city-specific interests. 

The partnership emphasizes a shared commitment between EPA and FIFA to advance both environmental protection as the U.S. celebrates its 250th anniversary.

For more information about EPA’s collaboration with FIFA and World Cup host cities, including technical materials and resources from federal, state, and local partners, click here to visit the EPA and the World Cup webpage.

As CMM previously reported, ​a public health team based in Washington, D.C., plans to monitor wastewater and internet chatter to detect and track infectious diseases should they emerge in any of the ‌U.S. or Canadian cities hosting World Cup players, their matches, and millions of spectators. Appropriate facility management protocols that prioritize cleaning and disinfection with nontoxic products will be central to U.S. hospitality during the World Cup.