Cook Children’s Scores with World Cup Preparations

Cook Children’s is gearing up with proactive logistics and precautions in anticipation of millions of soccer fans headed to Dallas-Fort Worth this summer.

The World Cup soccer tournament takes place every four years. Forty-eight men’s teams from countries around the globe are competing in 2026. AT&T Stadium in Arlington, renamed Dallas Stadium for the tournament, is hosting nine matches over a four-week stretch beginning June 14, when Japan takes on Netherlands.

Just how popular is the World Cup? An estimated 3.8 million visitors are expected in North Texas to cheer on their favorite teams. Emergency Management at Cook Children’s has worked for more than a year to get ready for potential impacts at our system’s sites across the Metroplex.     

“Our task force has been meeting regularly and addressing important details like language services, cultural awareness, physical safety and clinical readiness,” said Nick Markham, Vice President of Campus Facilities and Support Services.

Support behind the scenes at Cook Children’s includes activation of a command center to enable the system to respond quickly if problems arise. Staffers in the command center will maintain situational awareness on all happenings throughout the region, and communicate and coordinate with local law enforcement, fire and emergency services agencies, and other stakeholders throughout the tournament. They will also monitor patient volumes, supply and resource inventories, physical security of our facilities, and be a resource for information for all things World Cup related.

A World Cup preparedness event took place on May 26 at the Fort Worth medical center. Experts made presentations on active criminal event response, situational awareness, human trafficking awareness, Stop the Bleed, de-escalation, and emotional safety. 

You can find important security information on our new CookNet World Cup page. Other content includes suggestions for interacting with patients and families from cultures different than your own. Culturally congruent care fits with our model of family-centered care rooted in respect and communication. 

More tips to help you prepare:

• Understand that our international visitors might not be familiar with U.S. health care and American culture.

• Allow extra time for your commute, knowing that traffic will be more congested than usual. Bookmark the DriveTexas website for up-to-date road conditions.

• Sign up for Cook Children’s emergency alerts. Find instructions here.

• As always, practice the values of kindness and generosity as you care for patients, patient families and one another.

In anticipation of the big game coming to our backyard, let’s kick around a few more topics below.

Regional Collaboration

Our medical center in Fort Worth hosted an emergency preparedness workshop last month. Participants included local, regional, state and federal law enforcement and government agencies. With Cook Children’s as the hub, the workshop aimed to strengthen the groups’ working relationships.   

Additionally, leaders and departments from across the system have participated in numerous trainings, seminars and educational offerings throughout the region to ensure readiness for the soccer crowds.

“In coordination with our local and state partners, I feel confident Cook Children’s is in a great position to welcome the world to the DFW regional this summer. We hope for an uneventful four weeks, but we are well prepared in the event something does happen,” said Kaysey Pollan, Director, System Preparedness and Continuity. 

Cybersecurity

Our cybersecurity team in recent weeks ramped up the emails to heighten awareness of scams tied to the World Cup. Those emails stressed the need for extra vigilance to protect yourself and Cook Children’s from cyberattacks. For instance, don't use Cook Children’s laptops, desktops, cellphones or other devices to purchase tickets or merchandise. Be alert for fake websites and trackers.    

“Social media platforms like Facebook, TikTok and Instagram have become primary battlegrounds for World Cup scams, with nearly half of fans in some regions reporting encounters with fraud on these sites,” according to our IT department. “Scammers use the high emotion and urgency of the tournament to push ‘too good to be true’ offers for tickets, travel and betting.”

Treating Illness

The influx of visitors to our region will include people unaccustomed to Texas summers, who may seek treatment for dehydration or other heat-related illnesses.

And with so many international travelers expected, physicians at Cook Children’s will be reminded to expand what they typically consider as causes of fever. Possibilities include dengue, Zika and chikungunya viruses, yellow fever, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, measles and Japanese encephalitis viruses, tuberculosis, histoplasmosis and malaria.

“We are preparing for whatever comes our way,” said Marc Mazade, M.D., Medical Director of Infection Control and Prevention. 

Urgent Care

Kara Starnes, D.O., Division Chief of Urgent Care Clinics, said our seven Urgent Care Center locations are stocking up on supplies in case patient volume is higher than normal. Extra staff will be available if needed, she said. First-time patients are always welcome.

“Our clinics are equipped to handle most mild to moderate illnesses and injuries that may occur, and we are accustomed to seeing patients who have never visited our clinics before,” Dr. Starnes said. “Our check- in process is quick and easy, and we have full translation services available for the entire visit.”

At a Glance: World Cup in DFW

The World Cup is a 104-game soccer tournament featuring 48 teams across 16 host cities in three countries – Canada, Mexico and the United States. DFW will play host to five group-stage games - featuring the Netherlands, Japan, England, Croatia, Argentina, Austria and Jordan - two rounds of 32 fixtures, one round of 16 tie and the first semi-final on July 14, 2026.

Dallas-Fort Worth will host nine matches, the most of all the World Cup venues in North America. But the tournament festivities include many more activities than just the matches at AT&T Stadium (known as Dallas Stadium during the tournament) in Arlington. Fans and families will be coming from across the globe to cheer together at watch parties, attend team practices, and explore North Texas.

It’ll be important to plan ahead and allow extra time when traveling around the Metroplex during the World Cup. Be aware of increased activities at tourist hotspots, bars and restaurants, and entertainment venues.

Here some of the local venues expected to draw traffic and crowds:

Sundance Square fan watch: This area is likely to be one of the city’s main hubs for watch parties and fan gatherings. Fans are expected to gather to watch a live broadcast of all games.

FIFA Fan Festival: Fair Park in Dallas will host a free, 34-day fan festival with giant viewing screens, live music, interactive soccer games, and local food vendors.

International Broadcast Center: The Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas will serve as the global media hub for the tournament.

Team Base Camps: Team Base Camp Training Sites function as the primary training and operational headquarters for participating national teams. FC Dallas Stadium (Toyota Stadium) in Frisco will host the Sweden team. Mansfield Stadium will host the team from the Czech Republic (Czechia).