The American Heart Association (AHA) has reported that attendees at 2026 FIFA World Cup fan events in Dallas, Atlanta, Philadelphia, and New York have completed more than 800,000 chest compressions during Hands-Only CPR training sessions. This milestone marks one of the largest public CPR education efforts in the organization's history, according to a press release issued July 8, 2026.
More than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of hospitals in the United States each year. While immediate CPR can double or even triple a person's chance of survival, many bystanders hesitate to act, often because they lack training. The AHA's Mobile CPR Unit has already engaged over 8,000 attendees at these events, teaching them to recognize cardiac arrest and respond using two simple steps: call 911 and push hard and fast in the center of the chest.
The initiative is part of the AHA's Nation of Lifesavers™ movement, which aims to double survival rates from cardiac arrest by 2030. By partnering with FIFA, the AHA brings lifesaving education into high-energy fan environments surrounding the world's largest sporting event. “More than 800,000 CPR training compressions practiced by fans are proof of how quickly people can build the confidence to act when every second counts,” said Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association. “Still, more than half of people who have a cardiac arrest outside a hospital do not receive CPR before professional help arrives. By bringing Hands-Only CPR training to FIFA Fan events, we’re helping more people feel ready to act - and the life they save is likely to be someone they love.”
The AHA's presence at FIFA Fan events represents the largest public Hands-Only CPR engagement in the Mobile CPR Unit's history and serves as one of the most visible efforts to advance the Nation of Lifesavers movement. Andrew Massey, FIFA Medical Director, expressed support for the initiative: “We are delighted to use the global reach of football to promote lifesaving initiatives like CPR. Through FIFA Fan Experiences, we can reach thousands of people and extend these critical skills far beyond the pitch.”
Hands-Only CPR, also known as compression-only CPR, is effective for teens and adults in the first few minutes when someone collapses, and is a skill everyone can learn. With nearly 3 out of 4 cardiac arrests happening at home, knowing CPR can help save the life of someone you love. The AHA publishes the official scientific guidelines for CPR and is the worldwide leader in resuscitation science, education, and training.
The Heart Association will continue its presence at FIFA Fan experiences in the coming weeks, aiming to reach thousands more people with the confidence to act during critical moments. This effort underscores the potential impact of large-scale public health interventions integrated into major global events, turning entertainment into opportunities for building lifesaving skills.
