To compete in the men`s FIFA World Cup is for many players a career-defining event but it also presents an intensified performance environment that heightens risk for mental health symptoms among both players and the multidisciplinary staff who support them. Compressed schedules, global scrutiny, disrupted routines, unfamiliar cultural contexts, potential exposure to interpersonal and online violence, and prolonged residential camps can compound stress across teams and staff groups. In light of this, context-specific suggestions for protecting mental health and wellbeing at the men`s World Cup are needed. In this article, we outline key risk factors and protective factors relevant to the men`s FIFA World Cup 2026, presenting evidence-informed recommendations across six domains: (1) creating healthy and supportive environments; (2) tournament mental health infrastructure; (3) player monitoring; (4) interpersonal violence; (5) cultural considerations; and (6) specific considerations regarding team support staff. As a Current Opinion article, this paper synthesises emerging evidence and expert consensus to identify salient risk and protective factors relevant to the men`s FIFA World Cup 2026, and to translate these into context-specific, evidence-informed recommendations aimed at supporting mental health and wellbeing.
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