As the countdown to the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup continues, Atlanta’s preparedness efforts are gaining international attention. FIFA has officially recognized the city’s Joint Medical Operations & Mental Health Plan as a global best practice, applauding its comprehensive and integrated approach to care.
The Atlanta-led model focuses on real-time, trauma-informed, and culturally competent support—not just for players and fans, but also for public safety personnel and event workers. It aligns directly with FIFA’s growing emphasis on mental health as a key pillar of global player and fan welfare, and supports the ongoing goals of the organization’s #ReachOut initiative.
The plan incorporates:
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A multi-agency response framework
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Embedded behavioral health operations within the Joint Operations Center
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Mobile crisis team deployments
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Embassy coordination
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Fan-centered wellness interventions
These components work together to ensure that mental and emotional well-being are prioritized alongside physical safety during the high-profile event.
As one of the first host cities to embed real-time behavioral health operations into its emergency coordination infrastructure, Atlanta has established a new international benchmark for what holistic host city readiness can look like—especially at the scale demanded by global sporting events.
This recognition positions Atlanta as a leader in global event planning, with a model that demonstrates how cities can operationalize mental health care as an essential part of public safety and visitor experience.
