It’s been more than 20 years since the USA hosted the World Cup, and in the coming weeks, thousands of expectant fans from around the world are expected to fill their stadiums in anticipation of soccer greatness. But behind the scenes is an important strategy to keep athletes healthy in the game, and one person who is integral to that process in the New York and New Jersey area. Riley J. Williams III, MD – the man they call “The Pro Sports Doc”. His role includes coordinating medical care at one of the most demanding races in the world.
Who is Dr. Riley Williams III, FIFA’s New York and New Jersey Medical Director?
For those just caught up in World Cup fever, soccer is a sport that can be underestimated in its ferocity. Players often run for 90 minutes or more, braving extreme weather and putting countless stresses on their bodies as they shoot for immortality on the field. Dr. Williams III is no stranger to the pressures faced by players such as Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Lionel Messi (Argentina) or Kylian Mbappe (France) and specializes in knee, shoulder and elbow surgery, with a particular interest in ACL and knee reconstruction, and sports and surgical tendon rehabilitation. “The Pro Sports Doc” also serves as the Chief of the Sports Medicine Institute at HSS, where he leads a multidisciplinary team of more than 60 clinicians across HSS locations in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and South Florida. To learn more about how these athletes will be cared for, M&F sat down with Dr. Williams III for a regular Q&A and quickly learned about the types of injuries that are most concerning and what can be done to keep the ball rolling.
Thanks for your time, Dr. Williams! As director of the FIFA Medical Center at the Hospital for Special Surgeryyou have been named as the FIFA Medical Officer (VMO) for the New York and New Jersey region for the 2026 World Cup. How proud are you to be cast in such an important role?
Simply put, I am both proud and excited. My first exposure to football medicine began in 2005, when the Hospital for Special Surgery was first designated as a FIFA Medical Center of Excellence. The World Cup is the most watched sporting event in the world. I feel this is a key moment in my career as I reflect on over 25 years of caring for top level athletes. It’s amazing to have the World Cup final here in our backyard. I expect the energy and buzz around New York to be off the charts. I honestly can’t wait!
What are some of the physical requirements for soccer players?
I started as a medical director New York Red Bulls in 2005 and was appointed director of the FIFA Medical Center at HSS in 2014. In that time, a wealth of knowledge has been developed to help maintain the health and well-being of soccer athletes.
Soccer is a rolling sport characterized by repetitive acceleration and deceleration movements combined with high volumes of sprinting and running. In my opinion, top level soccer players are some of the fittest people in the world of sports. Maintaining a high level of cardiovascular fitness and lower body flexibility and strength is important in preventing injuries such as muscle strains, sprains and strains, such as heat illness or dehydration.
During the 2025 Club World Cup, pitch temperatures regularly exceeded 90°F. Thus, great emphasis was placed on maintaining proper hydration for the participants. Hopefully this will become an issue again as the 2026 World Cup takes place in the summer months. It is estimated that the midfielder will cover more than 11-12 miles during the game. Behind the scenes, my team will help soccer teams located in New York, as well as those visiting for upcoming games, maintain player health and treatment to improve performance and prevent injuries.
As an experienced orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist, what are some of the most common injuries football players have?
Most elite soccer players are prone to some of the injuries inherent in soccer due to the nature of the sport. On the medical side, heat-related illnesses, concussions, and heart-related issues are always at the forefront. Before the matches, all athletes are carefully checked for heart health. This assessment is designed to reduce the risk of heart-related problems during stressful gaming situations.
During the game, there is also “on-field” and remote monitoring of the players, specifically looking for possible medical problems of the participating athletes. Concussions are common due to the nature of the sport. This control is designed to thoroughly assess the playing field and ensure that these types of injuries, which can often be subtle, are not missed.
Lower body injuries such as ligament injuries, bone fractures and soft tissue muscle strains are very common. Typically, these injuries affect the feet, ankles, and knees. As mentioned, the high-speed acceleration and rotation inherent in the sport exposes participating athletes to these types of conditions. Proper training and exposure to these activities over time can also protect these demanding athletes from such problems.
How important is it for players to get settled in the New York/New Jersey area before the game?
Most teams arrive at their host venue and base of operations more than a week before their first game get used to the time zone. Again, this is a global competition, so proper rest and recovery are key to athletes’ success. Sleep is an important part of that equation, so teams are doing everything they can to give athletes time when they arrive in North America. In the days and hours before a game, players tend to focus on nutrition, flexibility, hydration and mental preparation. Most of the teams want to try too hard before the game to maintain the best performance.
Are there any medical supplements that make sense for soccer players?
It is well documented that creatine can aid athletic performance. Creatine is a naturally occurring substance which helps the muscles avoid fatigue and optimally sustain the resistance load. In simpler terms, creatine allows an athlete to train longer and harder. This training then allows for increased strength and endurance. Creatinine is routinely used in many world sports. The only caveat is that athletes taking creatine should be aware of their hydration status, as creatine can cause some dehydration. Other supplements such as collagen are also used, but their effectiveness remains unclear.
Otherwise, athletes should be careful about what they eat, as there are many performance-enhancing supplements that are banned during World Cup competitions. In general, most athletes and national teams do not want to place their players on medical supplements, because the content and composition of these supplements are not sufficiently regulated. The discovery of prohibited material will result in the suspension of the player from the games. Most teams are unwilling to risk this possible outcome for what is perceived as bottom line gain.
If an injury occurs on the field, what are the processes involved in coordinating with local medical centers?
As part of our preparation here in the New York/New Jersey area, my team has established a network of medical centers and support staff to handle the full range of potential medical issues that can occur while teams are on the market. These types of issues include musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiac, psychiatric and general medicine. As the VMO, I am responsible for evaluating and properly addressing these issues as they arise during and outside of the game. Our network of supporting medical centers and providers understand the high-level nature and urgency of care for these athletes. I am sure we will be more than willing to support these extraordinary athletes during their time in the New York-New Jersey area.
How these injuries are treated depends largely on the nature of the injury. Most musculoskeletal injuries are handled here by me and my team at the Hospital for Special Surgery. More serious injuries that occur during the game are prioritized, diagnosed and referred to one of our network medical centers in a timely manner. Our medical partners are ready and on call to handle any issues that arise during the game as well as during off hours.
The 2026 World Cup is the culmination of more than 25 years of work for you in the field of medicine. Are you ready?
Traditionally, the World Cup is the most watched sporting event worldwide. I cannot stress enough how honored and privileged it is to host the World Cup Final here in the New York/New Jersey area. I have been a team physician for over 25 years and being able to participate in this prestigious event is the cherry on top of what has already been a very satisfying and professionally fulfilling part of my career.
I am humbled that FIFA entrusts me with this role. And after more than two years of detailed preparation for this particular event, I’m looking forward to the games and all the energy and excitement that I’m sure will be a part of this tournament!
The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off on June 11, with the final on July 19 at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
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