As the United States men’s national team competes on soccer's biggest stage,

A longtime leader in sports medicine, Mandelbaum has been involved with U.S. Soccer since 1989 and has worked with every U.S. Men's World Cup team since 1994. Today, he is chief medical officer for U.S. Soccer as well as a team physician for the U.S. Men's National Team. He also is vice chair of Network Development at Cedars-Sinai Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, an accredited FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence.

Cedars-Sinai Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine is one of only three FIFA Medical Centres of Excellence in the United States, a designation recognizing leadership in clinical care, research, education and injury prevention.

The Cedars-Sinai Newsroom spoke with Mandelbaum about caring for athletes, preparing for the demands of the World Cup and how innovations developed for professional players are helping patients of all ages live healthier, more active lives.

Cedars-Sinai Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine is a FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence. What does that mean?

We are very proud at Cedars-Sinai Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine to be a FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence.

It means we're proficient at taking care of the most professional athletes—from national teams and professional players—to youth athletes and everyone in between. But clinical care is only part of the equation.

To earn and maintain this designation, we also have to demonstrate leadership in research, education and injury prevention. It really separates us as leaders worldwide in the care of athletes.

Why is that designation important for athletes and patients?

Our expertise extends across every level of the game. We care for professional athletes, youth competitors and the weekend warrior.

What makes the program unique is the multidisciplinary approach. Physicians, physician assistants, physical therapists and performance specialists work together as an integrated team. That same collaborative model benefits not only elite athletes, but every patient who comes to Cedars-Sinai seeking orthopedic and sports medicine care.

What is your role during the World Cup?       

My role as one of the two team physicians for the U.S. Men’s National Team is to oversee every aspect of the medical and performance side of the team.

We focus on three primary pillars: prevention, performance, and injury and illness care when issues arise.

At this level, success isn't just about treating injuries. It's about helping players stay healthy, optimizing performance and making sure athletes are available to compete throughout the tournament.

As chief medical officer, my responsibilities extend beyond the Men's National Team.

I oversee medical operations and strategy across all 27 U.S. Soccer teams, including men's, women's, youth, adaptive and other national team programs.

It's an exciting time for FIFA, particularly with the opening of the Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center in Georgia, which provides a centralized home for player development, performance and medical care.

What are the biggest medical challenges players face during a World Cup?

Our priorities remain consistent: prevention, performance and care.

Before competition even begins, players undergo extensive medical assessments that include orthopedic, medical and cardiovascular evaluations. We are constantly thinking about injury prevention, concussion management and cardiac health.

Once the tournament starts, the most common injury concern is muscle injury, particularly hamstring strains.

Hamstring injuries are among the most burdensome injuries in soccer because of the high-speed demands of the sport. They can affect team continuity and player availability, so preventing those injuries is a major focus throughout the tournament.

How has sports medicine evolved since your first World Cup in 1994?

The evolution has been remarkable.

In 1994, we didn't have the protocols and procedures that exist today. Now we have sophisticated concussion management programs, detailed return-to-play guidelines and emergency response protocols for cardiac events and other serious medical conditions.

We've also become much more integrated in how we think about athlete health. Medical care and performance are no longer separate disciplines. They work together as one team.

Today, we're focused on what we call performance preservation—using data, technology and multidisciplinary expertise to help athletes stay healthy, resilient and available for competition.

What have you learned from caring for high-performing athletes that benefits all patients?       

One of the biggest lessons is that everyone wants the same thing.

Professional athletes want to extend the lifespan of their careers. The rest of us want to extend our health span and quality of life.

We use the term "playspan" to describe maximizing the number of years we can remain active and engaged in the activities we enjoy.

The principles are similar whether you're a World Cup player or someone who wants to stay active with their family: How you eat, how you hydrate, how you think, how you move and how you recover all matter.

After decades in soccer, what continues to inspire you about the game?

Soccer is global.

What I've learned through years of World Cups and Olympic competitions is that the sport transcends borders, cultures and backgrounds.

The beautiful game [as soccer is known] sits at the intersection of what I call the sport of life and the life of sport. It's where humanity comes together, and that's where some of the most meaningful lessons are learned.

Read more from Cedars-Sinai Stories and Insights: Regenerative Medicine for Orthopedics

and Select Medical.

The conference at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, brought together physicians, athletic trainers, physical therapists, researchers and soccer leaders to discuss emerging trends in athlete care, from emergency preparedness and injury prevention to women’s health and the evolving pressures facing youth athletes.

“One of the most important lessons in sports medicine is that no one succeeds alone,” said Bert Mandelbaum, MD, medical director of the Cedars-Sinai FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence and interim chief medical officer of U.S. Soccer. “Whether you're preparing for a youth soccer match or the FIFA World Cup, teamwork makes the dream work. When physicians, athletic trainers, physical therapists, performance specialists and emergency personnel work together, athletes receive the best possible care.”

Additional conference participants included the six-time MLS Cup champion LA Galaxy, along with fellow FIFA Medical Centres of Excellence partners Duke University and the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS). 

Emergency Preparedness Starts Before Kickoff

One of the conference's strongest messages focused on emergency action plans, which establish the protocols and personnel needed to respond to medical emergencies during games and training sessions.

Experts emphasized that preparation, communication and rehearsal can save lives when seconds matter. Discussions on sudden cardiac arrest highlighted the critical role of automated external defibrillators and community CPR training.

Tracy Zaslow, MD, a Cedars-Sinai primary care sports medicine specialist who cares for both youth and professional athletes, joined discussions on emergency preparedness and sudden cardiac arrest. Referencing the recent on-field cardiac emergency involving Angel City FC player Savy King, Zaslow underscored the importance of having trained medical personnel, emergency action plans and CPR-capable responders available at sporting events. She noted that while elite teams often have physicians and athletic trainers on the sidelines, broader community education in CPR remains critical because cardiac emergencies can occur anywhere youth and amateur sports are played.

Cedars-Sinai orthopedic specialist Joshua Scott, MD, venue medical officer for World Cup 2026 in Los Angeles, described the extensive World Cup planning underway at SoFi Stadium, including emergency response protocols, imaging access and strategies for managing heat-related illness. With summer temperatures expected to challenge athletes, hydration breaks will be incorporated into matches, Scott said.

Keeping Athletes Healthy

A recurring theme throughout the conference was that the best injury is the one that never happens.

Among the prevention strategies several speakers highlighted was the FIFA 11+, a free, evidence-based warmup program that takes about 15 minutes to complete and has been shown to reduce injuries, including ACL tears, among soccer players. The program requires no special equipment and can be implemented by teams at nearly any level of competition.

Cedars-Sinai orthopedic surgeon Carlos Uquillas, MD, moderated a discussion on ACL injuries and prevention strategies, highlighting the growing emphasis on reducing injury risk before athletes ever require treatment. The session explored the importance of age-appropriate neuromuscular training, proper movement mechanics and evidence-based warmup programs designed to help young athletes move more efficiently and stay healthy throughout their development. The discussion reflected broader injury-prevention efforts underway through the Cedars-Sinai and AYSO partnership aimed at reducing ACL injuries among youth soccer players.

Experts also emphasized preserving meniscal tissue whenever possible because of its critical role in protecting the knee and maintaining long-term performance. Cartilage injuries—which can be difficult to detect on MRI—were also singled out as an underrecognized source of pain and dysfunction among athletes.

The goal, Mandelbaum noted, is not simply helping athletes return to play as quickly as possible, but extending their “play span” by preserving performance, mobility and joint health throughout a career.  

The same philosophy applies to common soccer injuries affecting the groin and core. Cedars-Sinai surgeon Neel Joshi, MD, highlighted advances in understanding sports hernias—also known as athletic pubalgia or core muscle injuries—which can be difficult to diagnose but have a significant impact on athletic performance and return-to-play decisions.

Women Athletes Need Their Own Playbook

A keynote session explored how sports medicine is evolving to better serve female athletes.

Panelists, including University of Colorado School of Medicine orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist Rachel Frank, MD, challenged the long-held tendency to apply research conducted in male athletes to women, emphasizing that “women are not just small men.” Female athletes face different injury risks, physiological considerations and performance factors that require tailored approaches to training, recovery and medical care.

The discussion also highlighted the growing importance of factors such as menstrual health, nutrition, pregnancy, postpartum recovery and mental health in optimizing athlete performance and wellbeing, as well as ongoing efforts to improve resources and support systems across women’s sports.

New Challenges Beyond the Playing Field

The conference concluded with discussions about emerging issues shaping the future of athlete care.

Among them was the growing influence of name, image and likeness (NIL) opportunities. Cedars-Sinai orthopedic surgeon Natasha Trentacosta, MD, discussed how these opportunities are reshaping youth sports by creating new incentives, pressures and expectations, including increased year-round competition, earlier specialization and greater emphasis on visibility.

Additional insight and expertise from Cedars-Sinai included: Casey Batten, MD, Eli Friedman, MD, Michael Gerhardt, MD, Seth Lichtenstein, MD, Clinton Soppe, MD, and Rachel Triche, MD.

Read more from Cedars-Sinai Stories and Insights: Can Rethinking CPR Training Benefit Women?

The conference—Soccer Medicine Updates and New Innovations—is scheduled for Friday, May 22, 2026, at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. It will be co-hosted by the Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine at Cedars-Sinai and Select Medical, in partnership with Dignity Health. Additional participants include the six-time MLS Cup Champion LA Galaxy, along with fellow FIFA Medical Centres of Excellence partners Duke University and the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS). 

Cedars-Sinai, Duke University, and HSS represent the only three FIFA Medical Centres of Excellence in the United States, with Cedars-Sinai holding the designation since 2007.

“With the World Cup returning to the United States, this conference reflects our responsibility to share best practices that advance athlete safety and performance on a global stage,” said Bert Mandelbaum, MD, medical director of the Cedars-Sinai FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence, interim chief medical officer of U.S. Soccer and co-chair of the conference. “By bringing together leading experts across disciplines, we aim to translate the latest research and innovation into real-world care for athletes at every level of the game.”

The program will include former and current soccer players and is designed for professional and lay audiences. Programming will explore evidence-based approaches to injury prevention, performance optimization and care for athletes of all levels from youth to adaptive and elite players.

“As the largest provider of outpatient physical therapy and sports medicine in the U.S., we are proud to partner with Cedars-Sinai to co-host this important event showcasing best practices in athlete injury prevention and recovery,” said Alan Evans, vice president of clinical programs and education, Outpatient Rehabilitation Division at Select Medical. “When clinicians, athletic trainers and performance specialists collaborate, we raise the standard of care and help athletes stay healthy, compete at their highest level and return to play safely. Together, we are advancing the future of sports medicine and strengthening the world’s athletic community.”

"We are honored to be part of this collaborative effort to advance athlete care and innovation during this exciting time for Los Angeles," said Julie Sprengel, California president of Dignity Health, a member of CommonSpirit Health. "This educational conference at the Dignity Health Sports Park embodies the shared commitment to excellence that Dignity Health has with Cedars-Sinai and Select Medical."

Advancing Innovation and Collaboration in Athlete Care

The FIFA World Cup is one of the largest sporting events in the world, with 48 teams set to compete across the United States, Canada and Mexico in 2026. Preparing athletes for competition at this scale requires coordinated, multidisciplinary care that spans emergency preparedness, injury management and return-to-play decision-making.

The conference will be in person and feature a dynamic format with internationally recognized faculty who specialize in all aspects of soccer. Programming will include interactive sessions, panel discussions and on-demand educational content, with continuing education credits available.

Sessions will focus on medical and performance challenges, including:

• Emergency action planning for sudden cardiac arrest and cardiac considerations for return to play
• Advances in concussion management and evolving safety regulations
• Mental health considerations
• Knee injury evaluation, treatment and evidence-based return-to-play guidelines
• Common soft tissue injuries and strategies that bridge performance and injury prevention
• Innovations in athlete care, including biologics, youth athlete considerations and burnout prevention
• Team-based, interprofessional approaches to athlete care

The conference Scientific Planning Committee is co-chaired by Mandelbaum and Josh Scott, MD, a nationally recognized sports medicine physician and venue medical director for World Cup 2026 in Los Angeles.

For more information about the conference and to register, click here.

Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University is advancing groundbreaking research and educating future leaders in medicine, biomedical sciences and allied health sciences. Learn more about the university.

This symposium will bring together highly respected pioneers and experts in the field of orthopedic medicine, who will showcase the newest innovations reshaping the landscape of orthopedics.

The collaboration with Cedars-Sinai, a leading academic medical center in the U.S., further underscores the commitment of The View Hospital leadership to foster global partnerships and advance medical knowledge. Cedars-Sinai has been named to the Honor Roll for the eighth consecutive year in U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Hospitals 2023-24“rankings. 

The symposium will feature speakers from The View Hospital and Cedars-Sinai alongside experts from other reputable hospitals in Qatar, specifically Hamad Medical Corporation and Aspetar. The goal of this gathering of international and local experts is to share knowledge and explore groundbreaking techniques and technologies revolutionizing the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of orthopedic conditions.

"From the newest surgical procedures and minimally invasive interventions to preservation protocols and the integration of stem cell therapy, we will unravel the future of orthopedics," said Mr. Matthew Dronsfield, CEO at The View Hospital.

The symposium is a testament to The View Hospital’s dedication to elevating its role in bringing experts together and leading discussions on advancements in orthopedic surgery and medical education. It serves as a platform for the exchange of knowledge and the promotion of excellence in patient care.

"All of us at Cedars-Sinai Department of Orthopaedics are excited to collaborate with our partners in Doha in fostering knowledge exchange between physicians that will enhance the highest-quality patient care for patients in Qatar and throughout the region," said Bert Mandelbaum, MD, Co-Chair, Medical Affairs, Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute; Co-Chair, Sports Medicine Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Cedars-Sinai.

There are more conferences to come, said Heitham Hassoun, MD, vice president and medical director of Cedars-Sinai International. “This is the first in a series of conferences that will focus on leading-edge treatments in a variety of medical specialties, including cardiology, gastroenterology and OBGYN care," Hassoun said. 

The event has been accredited to provide all attendees with 6.5 Continuing Medical Education (CME) Category 1 credits from Qatar and 6.5 American Medical Associate (AMA) PRA category 1 credit, thereby ensuring that participants can further their professional development. Healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurses, researchers, professors, physical therapists and rehabilitation specialists are encouraged to attend.

For more information and registration details, please visit www.theviewhospital.com.