Hackensack Meridian Health at the NY/NJ World Cup Host Committee announced
Monday morning that HMH will serve as an official host city supporter, providing health
care support and more when the globe’s biggest event comes to the U.S. next summer.
As the official hometown hospital, HMH will support the Host Committee as it prepares to host eight matches at MetLife Stadium, the Fan Festival in Jersey City, and will provide best practices to combat human trafficking and help institute long-lasting wellness programs and initiatives.
HMH officials feel the effort matches their commitment to building healthier communities.
“The FIFA World Cup 2026 is a once-in-a-generation opportunity, not just to host a
world-class event, but to invest in the health and well-being of the communities we
serve every day,” HMH CEO Bob Garrett said.
“This partnership is about so much more than soccer. It’s about building a healthier
future. From providing elite medical readiness for the event, and experienced based
advice on combating human trafficking, to creating new spaces for our children to play
and learn healthy habits, we are proud to help our region shine on the world stage and
leave a meaningful impact that will last for years to come.”
The announcement comes days after the draw and the schedule were announced. Both
MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford and Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia landed
premier countries for their opening-round matches.
The collaboration between HMH and the World Cup is rooted in a shared commitment
to the community focused on leveraging the world’s biggest sporting event to advance
public health, inspire the next generation, and showcase New Jersey and New York as
a premier global destination.
Key pillars of the partnership include:
Ensuring world-class medical readiness: Hackensack University Medical Center not only is a nationally ranked Top 20 hospital, it also is the closest Level 1 Trauma Center
to MetLife Stadium. HUMC is uniquely positioned to support the complex medical and
safety operations for an event of this magnitude.
HMH has a long history of providing trusted medical services for premier events,
including the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 and the Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014.
Sharing experience-based learnings on human trafficking for strategic planning:
With extensive experience with large scale violence screenings for patients,
Hackensack Meridian Health will share its learnings after screening more than 78,000
patients for human trafficking in 2025.
Given the global scale of the FIFA World Cup 2026, the world’s largest sporting event, it
also heightens responsibility to remain vigilant against human trafficking, a crisis already
affecting 27.6 million people worldwide. With support from the NYNJ Host Committee,
Hackensack Meridian Health will provide regional partners valuable insight to arm
health systems, other host committees, and law enforcement in the rooting out of
traffickers and the identification and assistance of human trafficking victims.
Investing in healthier communities: HMH will fund and develop three permanent
“Legacy Fields” — mini-pitches throughout New Jersey. These fields will provide safe,
state-of-the-art spaces for youth to engage in soccer and other sports, promoting active
lifestyles and fostering healthy habits and community connection.
Championing a cause: The partnership will spotlight Tackle Kids Cancer, a
philanthropic initiative of the Children’s Cancer Institute at Hackensack Meridian Health,
as an official charity of the NYNJ Host Committee. This global platform will raise critical
awareness and funds to support pediatric cancer research and patient programs.
Engaging its team in the community: HMH will empower its 38,000+ team members
to get involved through dedicated volunteer opportunities, helping to bring the event to
life for millions of visitors. HMH will also lead public health initiatives focused on keeping
fans safe and healthy through its “How Healthy Happens” campaign, with tips on
hydration, sun safety, and wellness at NYNJ Host Committee events.
“To deliver a world-class FIFA World Cup 2026, we are working with organizations with
deep community roots and unparalleled expertise,” Alex Lasry, CEO of the NYNJ Host
Committee, said. “Hackensack Meridian Health meets that standard in every way. Their
commitment to public health and their proven ability to manage complex medical
operations make them indispensable to our mission of delivering a safe, memorable,
and impactful tournament for all.”
This partnership underscores HMH’s role as a vital economic and civic contributor to the
state, supporting an event that is projected to bring more than 1.2 million visitors and
generate more than $3.3 billion in economic impact for the NYNJ region.
