The concern is easy to understand. The update says the next World Cup will run from 11 June to 19 July, feature a record 48 teams and be staged across 16 host cities. That means huge cross-border movement, packed airports and fan zones, and a month-long cycle of travel that goes well beyond one host nation.
The report also says measles cases in the Americas have risen sharply this year, with outbreaks and imported infections affecting multiple countries. For football, that matters because the World Cup is built on mass movement: supporters following teams, media hopping between venues and staff operating across borders.
The key recommendation in the report is simple. Travellers from six months of age who cannot show two doses of measles vaccine, or proof of immunity, are advised to get vaccinated, ideally at least two weeks before travel to affected areas.
That is not a football story in the traditional sense, but it is a major event-management story. Modern tournaments depend on more than security and scheduling. They also depend on reducing avoidable disruption for supporters, volunteers, local communities and host-city services.
The update says health authorities have also been urged to strengthen surveillance in higher-risk areas such as borders, airports, ports and major event locations, while keeping rapid-response systems ready.
For and the host countries, the message appears clear: fan experience and public health are now closely linked. As the 2026 World Cup moves nearer, one storyline to watch is whether vaccination messaging and cross-border health coordination become a visible part of the tournament rollout.