The Emirates News Agency reported that FIFA conducted a total of 1,933 anti-doping tests during the 2026 World Cup. The tournament ran from June 11 to July 19 and featured 48 teams for the first time in its history. FIFA had partnered with national anti-doping organisations in all three host countries as part of the initiative. This scale of testing aligned with preparations outlined in advance of the event.
According to an announcement on the FIFA website from May 2026, the tournament was set to feature one of the most extensive anti-doping programmes in the history of the game through global collaboration. The national anti-doping organisations conducted out-of-competition testing under FIFA’s testing authority and direction in the lead-up to the tournament. FIFA convened discussions with six confederations in March 2026 where it presented its operational and test distribution plans. The plans focused on robust controls before and during the competition.
A statement from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency in May 2026 detailed its expanded partnership with FIFA for the event. USADA supported FIFA’s anti-doping program across the United States including sample collection and coordination efforts before and during the tournament. The agency assigned a doping control officer to assist at every in-competition mission conducted in the U.S. This built upon a prior collaboration for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.
FIFA’s website outlines that its anti-doping regulations are fully aligned with the World Anti-Doping Code and associated international standards. These cover testing procedures, laboratory requirements and results-management processes that govern such programs globally. The 2026 effort included a significant increase in out-of-competition testing along with expanded coverage across participating teams. The approach incorporated a preliminary testing pool established in advance.
Information from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency noted that the collaboration occurred amid a period of major international sporting events hosted in the United States. The national anti-doping organisations in Canada and Mexico similarly contributed to testing in their respective territories. FIFA maintains educational programs including an executive course on anti-doping to support implementation. These combined elements formed the framework applied throughout the tournament period.
