DALLAS - July 8, 2026 (NEWMEDIAWIRE) - At the 2026 FIFA World Cup Fan events across four U.S. host cities, the American Heart Association is bringing Hands-Only CPR training directly to fans, who have already completed more than 800,000 training chest compressions - marking one of the largest public CPR education efforts in the organization’s history. More than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of hospitals in the United States each year, and while immediate CPR can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival, many bystanders still hesitate to act, often because they lack training.

Across Dallas, Atlanta, Philadelphia and New York, more than 8,000 attendees have participated in hands-on training at the American Heart Association’s Mobile CPR Unit. Participants learn to recognize cardiac arrest and respond using the two simple steps of Hands-Only CPR: call 911 and push hard and fast in the center of the chest.

This effort, led by the American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere, and the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), continues to bring together global audiences, volunteers and communities to extend lifesaving education into high-energy fan environments surrounding the world’s largest sporting event.

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 and serves as one of the most visible efforts to advance the Heart Association’s 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.”

At FIFA Fan events, attendees receive hands-on training to recognize cardiac arrest and respond quickly. By offering CPR education directly to fans, the Heart Association is meeting people where they are and turning moments of entertainment, excitement and celebration into opportunities to build lifesaving skills.

“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.”

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, 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 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 and bringing the nation closer to a future where everyone is prepared to save a life.

To learn more about Hands-Only CPR and join the Nation of Lifesavers, visit heart.org/nation.

Additional Resources:

• Bystander CPR | Bystander CPR Infographic (PDF) 
• Hands-Only CPR Resources
• Hands-Only CPR vs CPR with Breaths 
• Cardiac Arrest vs. Heart Attack
• Reducing Disparities for Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest – Community Toolkit: English and Spanish versions available
• Take 90 seconds to learn how to save a life at www.heart.org/HandsOnlyCPR. 

About the American Heart Association 

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. The organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.

For Media Inquiries:

American Heart Association: Hannah Blackwell, hannah.blackwell@heart.org

FIFA: Communications Division, media@fifa.org

For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)

heart.org and stroke.org