NICUs around the country celebrate the World Cup

The United States is hosting the men's FIFA World Cup for the second time ever, and NICUs in host cities are celebrating with their tiny patients.

Key Takeaways:

• In 1994, the United States hosted the men's FIFA World Cup for the first time and is currently hosting it for the second time.

• Eleven cities are hosting World Cup matches across the country, along with five cities in Canada and Mexico.

• NICUs are celebrating soccer fever with adorable outfits for their premature patients.

The Backstory:

The 2026 men's FIFA World Cup is being held in 16 cities across North America, with the United States co-hosting alongside Canada and Mexico. The bulk of the games will take place in the United States in:

• Atlanta

• Boston

• Dallas

• Houston

• Kansas City

• Los Angeles

• Miami

• New York/New Jersey

• Philadelphia

• San Francisco Bay Area

• Seattle

The World Cup is held once every four years and is considered the largest and most prestigious single-sport tournament in the world. Forty-eight national teams from across the globe compete to be crowned champions in football (soccer), with Argentina the current reigning champion.

The Details:

Multiple NICUs are celebrating the international event with their tiny patients, dressing premature babies in adorable World Cup-themed outfits. In North Texas, where Dallas is located, several hospitals are getting into the football spirit.

"It’s World Cup week here in Dallas!" Methodist Health Dallas-Fort Worth wrote on Instagram. "These babies are ready for the big game! Across Methodist Health System, nurses are getting in the spirit by dressing these little ones in their most festive soccer-themed outfits."

El Paso Children's Hospital dressed its preemies in festive outfits as well. "Team USA’s three newest super fans from the Laura and Pat Gordon Family Advanced Level 4 NICU at EPCH are ready to enjoy their very first FIFA World Cup experience!" the hospital wrote. "As the whistle blows and the matches begin, our children on their recovery journeys will be watching closely and cheering on their favorite teams!"

Nurses at UT Southwestern Medical Center made handcrafted outfits for its patients as well.

Texas Children's in Houston said its "tiniest fans" are ready to join the game:

Saint Luke's Hospital in Kansas City also celebrated the World Cup.

"From their very first day, newborns at Saint Luke’s hospitals across the metro are joining the celebration, suited up, snuggled in, and ready for kickoff," the hospital wrote. "They may be a little early to pick a side, but one thing’s for sure — the next generation of soccer superstars has officially entered the game."

In Toronto, St. Joseph’s Health Centre and St. Michael’s Hospital both celebrated with their preemies too.

The Bottom Line:

Having a child in the NICU can be stressful for parents, and efforts like this help make it a little bit easier.