The American Heart Association, in collaboration with FIFA, has brought Hands-Only CPR training to fans attending the 2026 FIFA World Cup Fan events across four U.S. host cities. As of July 8, 2026, participants have completed more than 800,000 training chest compressions, making this one of the largest public CPR education initiatives in the organization’s history.
More than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of hospitals in the United States each year. Immediate CPR can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival, yet many bystanders hesitate to act due to lack of training. At the fan events in Dallas, Atlanta, Philadelphia, and New York, over 8,000 attendees have received hands-on training at the American Heart Association’s Mobile CPR Unit. Participants learn to recognize cardiac arrest and respond using two simple steps: call 911 and push hard and fast in the center of the chest.
This effort is part of the Nation of Lifesavers™ movement, which aims to double survival rates from cardiac arrest by 2030 by empowering more people to act in an emergency. “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 American Heart Association’s presence at FIFA Fan events represents the largest public Hands-Only CPR engagement in the Mobile CPR Unit’s history. Andrew Massey, FIFA Medical Director, said, “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. With nearly 3 out of 4 cardiac arrests happening at home, knowing CPR can help save the life of someone you love. The American Heart Association is the worldwide leader in resuscitation science, education, and training, and publishes the official scientific guidelines for CPR.
The Heart Association will continue its presence at FIFA Fan experiences in the weeks ahead, reaching thousands more people. To learn more about Hands-Only CPR and join the Nation of Lifesavers, visit heart.org/nation. Additional resources, including a Bystander CPR Infographic and a community toolkit in English and Spanish, are available at heart.org/HandsOnlyCPR.
