American Heart Association and FIFA Teach Hands-Only CPR to Over 8,000 Fans at World Cup Events

The American Heart Association, in collaboration with FIFA, has brought Hands-Only CPR training to FIFA Fan events across four U.S. host cities during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. As of July 8, 2026, more than 8,000 attendees have participated in hands-on training at the American Heart Association’s Mobile CPR Unit, collectively performing over 800,000 chest compressions. This marks one of the largest public CPR education efforts in the organization’s history.

The initiative spans Dallas, Atlanta, Philadelphia, and New York, where fans learn the two simple steps of Hands-Only CPR: call 911 and push hard and fast in the center of the chest. This training is critical, as more than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of hospitals in the United States each year. Immediate CPR can double or triple a person’s chance of survival, yet many bystanders hesitate to act due to lack of training. By meeting fans where they are—at high-energy fan environments surrounding the world’s largest sporting event—the American Heart Association is turning moments of entertainment into lifesaving opportunities.

“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.”

This effort is part of the American Heart Association’s Nation of Lifesavers movement, which aims to double survival rates from cardiac arrest by 2030. The Mobile CPR Unit’s presence at FIFA Fan events represents the largest public Hands-Only CPR engagement in its history. The American Heart Association is the worldwide leader in resuscitation science, education, and training, and publishes the official scientific guidelines for CPR.

“We are delighted to use the global reach of football to promote lifesaving initiatives like CPR,” said Andrew Massey, FIFA Medical Director. “Through FIFA Fan Experiences, we can reach thousands of people and extend these critical skills far beyond the pitch.”

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 will continue its presence at FIFA Fan experiences in the weeks ahead, reaching thousands more people with the confidence to act during critical moments. To learn more about Hands-Only CPR and join the Nation of Lifesavers, visit heart.org/nation. For additional resources, including a Bystander CPR Infographic and Hands-Only CPR vs CPR with Breaths, visit the American Heart Association’s website. Take 90 seconds to learn how to save a life at heart.org/HandsOnlyCPR.