HSS Surgeon Riley J. Williams III Appointed Venue Medical Officer for FIFA World Cup 26™ in New York–New Jersey Region
FIFA World Cup 26™ has announced the appointment of Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) Sports Medicine Surgeon Riley J. Williams III, MD, as Venue Medical Officer (VMO) for the New York–New Jersey host region of the 2026 tournament. The appointment places one of the United States’ leading sports medicine specialists at the center of medical operations for some of the most high-profile matches of the global football event, including the final, which will be held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The New York–New Jersey region is expected to be one of the marquee locations of the FIFA World Cup 26™, hosting multiple matches featuring top international teams and culminating in the tournament final. As VMO, Dr. Williams will play a central role in ensuring the delivery of coordinated, high-level medical care for athletes and FIFA officials throughout the duration of the event.
Leadership Role in World Cup Medical Operations
In his role as Venue Medical Officer, Dr. Williams will act as the primary liaison between FIFA and local healthcare providers. This includes overseeing the organization and coordination of 24-hour medical services for players, referees, and FIFA personnel assigned to the New York–New Jersey venue.
His responsibilities will span across emergency preparedness, injury management protocols, on-site medical staffing coordination, and the integration of hospital-based care with event operations. The VMO position is a critical component of FIFA’s global medical infrastructure, designed to ensure that all participating athletes receive rapid, expert-level care consistent with international sports medicine standards.
Dr. Williams emphasized the significance of the appointment, describing the FIFA World Cup as the highest level of international sporting competition. He noted that being entrusted with medical oversight for such a globally watched event represents both a professional honor and a major responsibility. He also highlighted the importance of ensuring athlete health and safety on a world stage where performance demands are at their peak and medical readiness must be immediate and comprehensive.
Hospital for Special Surgery’s Role in Global Sports Medicine
Dr. Williams’ appointment further strengthens the long-standing relationship between FIFA and Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), which has been designated one of only three FIFA Medical Centres of Excellence in the United States since 2014. This designation recognizes institutions that demonstrate outstanding expertise in soccer-related medicine, including injury prevention, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, education, and research.
HSS has played an increasingly prominent role in global sports medicine, particularly in the care of elite athletes and professional sports organizations. The hospital is consistently ranked No. 1 in orthopedics in the United States by U.S. News & World Report (2024–2025), reflecting its leadership in musculoskeletal care and surgical innovation.
Through its FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence status, HSS contributes to advancing global standards in sports medicine. This includes participation in international research initiatives, development of injury prevention protocols, and collaboration on education programs aimed at improving athlete health and safety worldwide.
Dr. Riley J. Williams III: A Leader in Sports Orthopedics
Dr. Riley J. Williams III serves as Chief of the HSS Sports Medicine Institute, where he leads a multidisciplinary team of more than 60 clinicians across multiple HSS locations in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and South Florida. His clinical expertise focuses on orthopedic sports injuries, with a specialization in knee, shoulder, and elbow surgery.
He is particularly recognized for his work in ACL reconstruction, knee ligament repair, and cartilage restoration procedures, which are among the most common and complex injuries in high-performance athletes. His approach integrates advanced surgical techniques with evidence-based rehabilitation protocols, aiming to restore function and enable athletes to safely return to competition.
In addition to his role at HSS, Dr. Williams serves as Medical Director and Head Team Orthopedic Surgeon for several professional sports organizations, including the Brooklyn Nets (NBA), New York Liberty (WNBA), and New York Red Bulls (MLS). His extensive experience working with elite athletes across multiple sports disciplines positions him as a leading authority in performance-related injury care.
Coordinating World-Class Medical Care at a Global Event
The FIFA World Cup represents one of the most complex international sporting events in terms of medical planning and execution. With athletes competing at the highest level of intensity across multiple venues, medical teams must be prepared to manage acute injuries, overuse conditions, and emergency medical situations in real time.
As Venue Medical Officer, Dr. Williams will be responsible for ensuring that the New York–New Jersey venue is fully equipped with the necessary medical infrastructure to support both routine and emergency care. This includes coordinating with local hospitals, emergency response teams, sports medicine specialists, and FIFA-appointed medical personnel.
The role also involves ensuring seamless communication between pitch-side medical staff and hospital-based care providers, enabling rapid transfer and treatment of athletes when necessary. This integrated approach is essential for maintaining player safety during high-stakes international competition.
Alignment with FIFA’s Global Medical Mission
Dr. Williams’ appointment aligns with FIFA’s broader medical mission, which focuses on improving athlete health and safety across all levels of the sport. FIFA’s medical strategy emphasizes the development of global standards in clinical care, the promotion of injury prevention initiatives, and the advancement of research and education in sports medicine.
Key priorities of FIFA’s medical program include building a global soccer medicine community, supporting scientific research on sports-related injuries, and promoting equitable access to medical expertise across different regions of the world. The organization also works to ensure that medical governance and best practices are consistently applied across all FIFA tournaments.
The involvement of HSS and Dr. Williams in the 2026 World Cup supports these objectives by bringing together clinical excellence, research leadership, and operational expertise in a high-profile international setting.
Strengthening HSS’s Global Sports Partnerships
The appointment also reflects HSS’s expanding role in global soccer medicine. In addition to its designation as a FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence, HSS maintains several key partnerships within the sport, including serving as the official hospital for the New York Red Bulls, US Youth Soccer, and FC Monmouth’s men’s and women’s semi-professional teams.
These partnerships provide HSS with ongoing opportunities to support athlete care at multiple levels of competition, from youth development programs to professional leagues. They also contribute to the hospital’s broader mission of advancing research, education, and clinical excellence in sports medicine.
Dr. Williams’ new role as VMO for the FIFA World Cup 26™ further enhances this network of collaborations, positioning HSS as a central contributor to one of the most significant sporting events in the world.
Advancing Athlete Health on a Global Stage
The FIFA World Cup 26™ is expected to bring together millions of fans and athletes from around the globe, making medical readiness and athlete safety a critical priority. The appointment of experienced sports medicine leaders such as Dr. Williams underscores the importance of integrating top-tier clinical expertise into the event’s operational framework.
By leveraging the capabilities of HSS and its multidisciplinary sports medicine infrastructure, FIFA aims to ensure that athletes competing in the New York–New Jersey region receive the highest standard of care available.
Dr. Williams’ leadership will be instrumental in coordinating this effort, ensuring that medical systems are fully prepared to respond to the demands of one of the world’s largest and most watched sporting events.
As preparations continue for FIFA World Cup 26™, the appointment of Venue Medical Officers across host regions represents a key step in building a comprehensive medical support system for the tournament.
With Dr. Williams leading medical operations in the New York–New Jersey region, supported by Hospital for Special Surgery’s world-renowned expertise, FIFA is reinforcing its commitment to athlete health, safety, and performance.
The collaboration between FIFA and HSS reflects a shared vision of advancing sports medicine globally, ensuring that the 2026 World Cup not only delivers world-class football but also sets new standards in medical care for international sporting events.
About HSS
HSS is the world’s leading academic medical center focused on musculoskeletal health. At its core is Hospital for Special Surgery, nationally ranked No. 1 in orthopedics (for the 16th consecutive year), No. 3 in rheumatology by U.S. News & World Report (2025-2026), and the best pediatric orthopedic hospital in NY, NJ and CT by U.S. News & World Report “Best Children’s Hospitals” list (2024-2025). Founded in 1863, the Hospital has the lowest readmission rates in the nation for orthopedics, and among the lowest infection and complication rates.
HSS was the first in New York State to receive Magnet Recognition for Excellence in Nursing Service from the American Nurses Credentialing Center five consecutive times. An affiliate of Weill Cornell Medical College, HSS has a main campus in New York City and facilities in New Jersey, Connecticut and in the Long Island and Westchester County regions of New York State, as well as in Florida. In addition to patient care, HSS leads the field in research, innovation and education.
The HSS Research Institute comprises 20 laboratories and 300 staff members focused on leading the advancement of musculoskeletal health through prevention of degeneration, tissue repair and tissue regeneration. In addition, more than 200 HSS clinical investigators are working to improve patient outcomes through better ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat orthopedic, rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. The HSS Innovation Institute works to realize the potential of new drugs, therapeutics and devices.
The HSS Education Institute is a trusted leader in advancing musculoskeletal knowledge and research for physicians, nurses, allied health professionals, academic trainees, and consumers in more than 165 countries. The institution is collaborating with medical centers and other organizations to advance the quality and value of musculoskeletal care and to make world-class HSS care more widely accessible nationally and internationally. www.hss.edu.
