Wilfrid Laurier University expert alert: FIFA World Cup 2026

June 3, 2026
For Immediate Release

WATERLOO — FIFA World Cup 2026 will be co-hosted by Canada, the United States and Mexico between June 11 and July 19. Wilfrid Laurier University has experts available to comment on related topics, including high-performance athletes, marketing, psychology, injuries, performance enhancement, the ethics of video assistant referee (VAR) technology, and artificial intelligence. 

The following list highlights Laurier experts currently available for comment though it does not reflect the full range of expertise across the university. For a comprehensive inventory of Laurier’s faculty researchers, consult the Experts at Laurier database.

• Kimberley Dawson: Sport psychology and performance; high-performance athletes.

• Tim Elcombe: FIFA, the World Cup and global politics; sport ethics; sport development and governance; culture, politics and sport.

• Mark Eys: Sport psychology; team building; group dynamics.

• Gary Foster: Sport, ethics and philosophy on VAR technology.

• Melise Panetta: Consumer behaviour, megatrends and decision-making; marketing management. 

• Jill Tracey: High-performance athletes; psychological recovery from injury; performance enhancement; coaching effectiveness; rehabilitation; sport psychology.