As we all turn our attention to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, our own sports medicine orthopedic surgeon Dr. Riley J. Williams III is helping ensure that some of the world’s top athletes have access to the highest level of medical/orthopedic care.

In a recent feature published by Muscle & Fitness, veteran fitness journalist Scott Felstead highlighted Dr. Williams’ role as FIFA Venue Medical Officer for the New York and New Jersey region during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The article provides a behind-the-scenes look at the extensive planning, injury prevention strategies, and medical coordination required to support elite soccer players competing on the world’s biggest stage.

Dr. Williams, Chief of the Sports Medicine Institute at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), has spent more than two decades caring for professional, Olympic, and elite athletes. In the interview, he discusses the unique physical demands of soccer, including the combination of high-speed sprinting, rapid changes of direction, repetitive pivoting, and the challenges posed by summer heat during tournament play. He also explains how medical teams prepare for everything from ligament injuries and fractures to concussion management and heat-related illnesses.

“My initial exposure to soccer medicine started in 2005,” Dr. Williams shared, reflecting on his long-standing involvement with FIFA and elite soccer medicine. He described being selected for the World Cup medical leadership role as both an honor and a career milestone.

Throughout his career, Dr. Williams has built a reputation as one of the leading sports medicine orthopedic surgeons in New York. His expertise includes ACL reconstruction, knee ligament surgery, cartilage restoration, shoulder injuries, and complex sports-related orthopedic conditions. As Venue Medical Officer, he is responsible for coordinating medical resources and ensuring rapid access to care for athletes, officials, and tournament personnel throughout the New York/New Jersey World Cup venue.

The feature underscores the critical role sports medicine physicians play behind the scenes of major sporting events. While fans focus on the action on the field, specialists like Dr. Williams work tirelessly to help athletes stay healthy, recover quickly, and perform at their highest level.

Read the full Muscle & Fitness feature by Scott Felstead: Inside FIFA World Cup 2026: The Sports Medicine Expert Keeping Soccer’s Biggest Stars Healthy