By Jorge Hernandez
The FIFA announced that the World Cup 2026 will have one of the most robust anti-doping programs in international football, after reaching agreements with the anti-doping organizations of Mexico, USA and Canada with the aim of guaranteeing clean and fair competition.
The governing body of world football detailed that the coordination between the agencies will allow maintaining homogeneous procedures in the taking of samples and in the controls of the players, all under the guidelines of the FIFA Anti-Doping Regulations and the World Anti-Doping Code.
FIFA confirms anti-doping alliance for the 2026 World Cup
The strategy will have the participation of the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), Sport Integrity Canada and the National Anti-Doping Committee of Mexico (MexNado), organizations that will work together before and during the World Cup.
“Major international events require strong collaborations. Our joint work with USADA, Sport Integrity Canada and the National Anti-Doping Committee of Mexico rwill redouble our efforts in the fight against doping around the world and will consolidate FIFA’s commitment to fair and clean competition,” said Emilio García Silvero, director of the Legal Services and Compliance Division of the FIFA.
The manager highlighted that the main objective will be to reinforce transparency and protect the integrity of the tournament that will be held in Mexican, American and Canadian territory.
Mexico will have a key role in anti-doping controls
Juan Manuel Herrera, representative of the Mexican agency, stressed the relevance of participating in an event of the magnitude of the World Cup 2026.
“Supporting FIFA’s fight against doping in Mexico represents a very special responsibility” to “help safeguard the cleanliness of the competition, so that the integrity of football lives up to the magic of world football” in his country.
For his part, Travis T. Tygart, popular director of USADA, highlighted the importance of international alliances to guarantee equal conditions among all participating soccer players.
“These types of international alliances between like-minded organizations are essential for ensure that honest players enjoy a level playing field on a global stage like the World Cup,” he noted.
Meanwhile, Jeremy Luke, representative of the Canadian agency, assured that “protecting the integrity of the sport requires coordinated work.”
The FIFA explained that each National Anti-Doping Organization (ONAD) will carry out out-of-competition controls in the weeks prior to the start of the tournament, under direct supervision of the international organization.
During the World Cup 2026which will be held from June 11 to July 19, the anti-doping agencies of the three host countries will collaborate with FIFA officials in controls carried out both out of competition and on match days.
The operations will be present in all the stadiums hosting the World Cup and will seek to reinforce the credibility of the most important tournament in international football.
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