HSS Sports Medicine Leader Dr. Riley J. Williams III Appointed FIFA Venue Medical Officer for FIFA World Cup 2026™
FIFA World Cup 26™ has appointed Dr. Riley J. Williams III, a renowned sports medicine surgeon at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), as the Venue Medical Officer (VMO) for the New York and New Jersey host region during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The appointment highlights both Dr. Williams’ extensive expertise in sports medicine and HSS’s longstanding reputation as a global leader in orthopedic and musculoskeletal care.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be one of the largest sporting events ever organized, bringing together elite soccer players, coaches, officials, and millions of fans from around the world. The New York and New Jersey metropolitan area is set to host several high-profile matches, including the tournament’s championship final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
As Venue Medical Officer, Dr. Williams will play a critical role in ensuring that athletes, coaches, and FIFA personnel receive comprehensive medical support throughout the competition. His responsibilities will include serving as the primary liaison between FIFA and regional healthcare providers, coordinating medical services, and overseeing the delivery of around-the-clock healthcare resources for participants throughout the tournament.
The appointment represents a major milestone in Dr. Williams’ distinguished career and further strengthens the relationship between FIFA and Hospital for Special Surgery, one of the most respected medical institutions specializing in sports medicine and orthopedic care.
Dr. Williams expressed pride in being selected for such an important role during one of the world’s most celebrated sporting events. He emphasized that the FIFA World Cup represents the highest level of international competition and noted that ensuring player health and safety remains a top priority throughout the tournament.
According to Dr. Williams, caring for athletes who compete on the global stage requires exceptional preparation, coordination, and expertise. He stated that he is honored to contribute to FIFA’s mission while representing HSS and helping provide world-class medical support to athletes competing at the highest level of the sport.
Dr. Williams currently serves as Chief of the HSS Sports Medicine Institute, where he leads a multidisciplinary team of more than 60 healthcare professionals. Under his leadership, the institute has expanded its reach across multiple locations in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and South Florida, providing specialized sports medicine services to athletes ranging from youth competitors to professional sports stars.
In addition to his leadership role at HSS, Dr. Williams serves as Medical Director and Head Team Orthopedic Surgeon for several prominent professional sports organizations, including the Brooklyn Nets, New York Liberty, and New York Red Bulls. His experience working directly with elite athletes has made him one of the most respected orthopedic surgeons in the field of sports medicine.
Dr. Williams specializes in the treatment of knee, shoulder, and elbow injuries, with particular expertise in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, knee ligament repair, cartilage restoration procedures, and complex sports-related orthopedic injuries. His work has helped countless athletes recover from injuries and return to competition safely and effectively.
A key component of his new FIFA role involves strengthening the collaboration between FIFA and HSS. The partnership is built upon HSS’s designation as a FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence, a distinction held by only a small number of institutions worldwide and by just three hospitals in the United States.
HSS first received this prestigious recognition in 2014 and has maintained the designation ever since. The honor reflects FIFA’s confidence in the hospital’s ability to provide exceptional medical care, education, and research related to soccer medicine. The designation also recognizes HSS’s expertise in injury prevention, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and performance optimization for soccer players at all levels.
The FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence program identifies institutions that demonstrate leadership in advancing the science and practice of sports medicine. Through this designation, HSS contributes to the development of best practices in athlete care while supporting educational initiatives and research programs that benefit players around the world.
The appointment of Dr. Williams as Venue Medical Officer further reinforces HSS’s growing presence within the soccer community. Beyond its FIFA affiliation, the hospital serves as the official hospital partner for the New York Red Bulls and collaborates with numerous soccer organizations, including US Youth Soccer and FC Monmouth’s men’s and women’s semi-professional teams.
These partnerships provide opportunities for HSS physicians, researchers, and therapists to work closely with athletes, helping them prevent injuries, optimize performance, and recover more effectively when injuries occur. Such collaborations also contribute valuable insights that support ongoing research and innovation in sports medicine.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to attract unprecedented global attention, making medical preparedness an essential component of tournament operations. Venue Medical Officers play a vital role in ensuring that host cities can deliver high-quality healthcare services while responding effectively to medical emergencies and athlete care needs.
Dr. Williams’ appointment comes at a time when sports medicine continues to evolve rapidly through advancements in surgical techniques, rehabilitation strategies, injury prevention programs, and performance science. His experience leading multidisciplinary medical teams positions him well to oversee the complex healthcare coordination required during a major international sporting event.
The collaboration between FIFA and HSS also aligns with FIFA’s broader medical mission. The organization aims to improve player health worldwide by establishing high standards for medical care, promoting education and research, fostering a global soccer medicine community, and expanding access to sports medicine knowledge across different regions and populations.
FIFA continues to invest in initiatives that support athlete well-being, injury prevention, and evidence-based medical practices. By partnering with institutions such as HSS, the organization seeks to ensure that players competing at the highest levels receive exceptional care before, during, and after competition.
Hospital for Special Surgery remains a global leader in musculoskeletal health and orthopedic medicine. Founded in 1863, the institution has earned widespread recognition for its excellence in patient care, research, education, and innovation. HSS consistently ranks among the nation’s top hospitals for orthopedic and rheumatologic care and is widely regarded as one of the world’s premier destinations for specialized musculoskeletal treatment.
Beyond clinical care, HSS maintains a strong commitment to scientific discovery. The HSS Research Institute includes numerous laboratories and hundreds of researchers dedicated to advancing the understanding of musculoskeletal diseases, tissue repair, regeneration, and injury prevention. The institution also supports a large network of clinical investigators focused on improving patient outcomes through innovative treatment approaches and evidence-based medicine.
Education remains another cornerstone of the hospital’s mission. Through the HSS Education Institute, healthcare professionals from more than 165 countries participate in training programs, research collaborations, and educational initiatives designed to advance musculoskeletal knowledge globally.
As preparations continue for the FIFA World Cup 2026™, the appointment of Dr. Riley J. Williams III as Venue Medical Officer highlights the importance of world-class medical leadership in international sports. His expertise, combined with HSS’s longstanding commitment to excellence in sports medicine, will help ensure that athletes competing on soccer’s biggest stage receive the highest standard of care throughout the tournament.
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
