The American Heart Association, in partnership with FIFA, has brought Hands-Only CPR training to fans attending the 2026 FIFA World Cup Fan events in Dallas, Atlanta, Philadelphia, and New York. As of July 8, 2026, participants have completed over 800,000 training chest compressions, making this one of the largest public CPR education initiatives in the organization’s history. More than 8,000 attendees have engaged with the Heart Association’s Mobile CPR Unit, learning to recognize cardiac arrest and respond with the two simple steps: call 911 and push hard and fast in the center of the chest.
This effort addresses a critical public health need. Each year, more than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of hospitals in the United States. Immediate CPR can double or triple a person’s chance of survival, yet many bystanders hesitate to act due to lack of training. By integrating CPR education into high-energy fan environments, the Heart Association aims to empower more people to respond in emergencies. This initiative is a key component of the Nation of Lifesavers™ movement, which seeks to double survival rates from cardiac arrest by 2030.
“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.”
Andrew Massey, FIFA Medical Director, emphasized the global reach of the collaboration: “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.”
The American Heart Association is the worldwide leader in resuscitation science, education, and training, and publishes the official scientific guidelines for CPR. Hands-Only CPR is effective for teens and adults who collapse suddenly and is a skill anyone can learn. Since nearly 3 out of 4 cardiac arrests happen at home, knowing CPR can help save the life of a loved one. 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.
For more information on Hands-Only CPR and to join the Nation of Lifesavers, visit heart.org/nation.
