World Cup 2026: Hofstra experts on the science, health, and business behind the tournament.

Jun 23, 2026

2 min

The 2026 FIFA World Cup comes to the New York metro area, and Hofstra University is ready. From the training room to the boardroom, Hofstra faculty bring research-backed expertise to the stories journalists are chasing this tournament season.

View Our World Cup Hub

Featured Topic

The Cultural Game

Why soccer means what it means and what this World Cup moment represents

The World Cup has always been about more than the game. Brenda Elsey, Professor of History, studies soccer as a cultural and political force across the Americas -- from grassroots identity to gender and power. She can speak to what this tournament represents as a historical moment, on and off the field.

Expert

Brenda Elsey - History

Featured Topic

Health and Performance on the World Stage

Expert insight on what it takes to compete and recover at a World Cup.

Competing at this level means managing the body and the mind across weeks of high-stakes matches with almost no recovery time. Hofstra's health and kinesiology faculty are your sources for the stories behind the performance.

Experts

Jayne Ellinger - Athletic Training

Katie Sell - Exercise Physiology

Anna Len - Physical Therapy

Genevieve Weber - Mental Health

Featured Topic

Beyond the Pitch

What the World Cup does to cities, economies, and public health systems

From local business impact and tourism economics to disease surveillance and emergency preparedness - Hofstra faculty are ready to talk.

Experts

Andy M. Forman - Marketing & Tourism

Lauren Hindman - Management

Martine Hackett - Population Health

Meshack Achore - Population Health

View Our World Cup Hub

Connect with:

Brenda Elsey

Professor of History

Specialist in Popular Culture and Politics, as well as Gender and Sports, in Twentieth Century Latin America.

Latin American CultureLatin American PoliticsSports in Latin AmericaGender Studies

Martine Hackett

Associate Professor of Population Health

Dr. Hackett's research focuses on public health and health inequities, particularly in the American suburbs and minority communities.

Public HealthHealth CommunicationResearch MethodsMaternal-Child HealthInfant Injury

Genevieve Weber

Associate Professor of Counseling and Mental Health Professions

Dr. Weber is a licensed mental health counselor, with a specialty in LGBTQ inclusion/cyber-bullying and substance abuse/heroin addiction.

Emerging SubstancesKratomCommunity PreventionAdolescent Substance UseOpioid Overdose

Find Experts

Oct 15, 2026

1 min

People Likely to Turn to Influencers for Fitness and Nutrition Information

Martine Hackett, associate professor and chair of population health, spoke with Newsday about health and wellness advice disseminated by social media influencers. People looking to make a lifestyle change are likely to look at posts by influencers. Dr. Martine Hackett, chair of the population health department at Hofstra University, said posts from these influencers can be helpful to people looking for detailed wellness information that they might not be able to get at a routine office visit with their doctor. “You can go for your annual health checkup, but if you are younger and don’t have a chronic disease, you might be told to exercise, but they don’t have the time to tell you how,” she said. “And you may not be able to go to a nutritionist or a trainer.”

Oct 7, 2026

1 min

Auction of LI’s Oheka Castle Draws Bidders with Big Dreams

Lawrence Levy, associate vice president and executive dean of Hofstra University’s National Center for Suburban Studies, spoke to Newsday about the auction of Long Island’s Oheka Castle, which will take place later this month in Manhattan. The property has been called “a real-life Gatsby estate” and “one of the rarest trophy properties in the country.” Buyers could include hedge funds interested in developing condos, a boutique hotel chain or a catering company. “It would be broadly appealing once the economic backdrop improves in terms of being able to borrow to finance construction and purchasing,” Levy said.

Oct 1, 2026

1 min

Nor’easter Caused Widespread Damage, Worsened Beach Erosion

Following a rare September nor’easter, Dr. Jase Bernhardt, associate professor of geology, environment, and sustainability, talked to Newsday about the damage caused by the storm, including its effects on beach erosion. The slow-moving storm, which began overnight on Friday, September 25, and continued through Monday, September 28, resulted in local flooding, power outages, and thousands of downed trees. “It is unusual but not quite unprecedented for a nor’easter to linger for so long,” said Dr. Bernhardt. “It is possible that the time of year played a role, as the ‘blocking’ pattern that allowed this storm to linger for so long would be more likely to occur at this time of year versus during the winter, when nor’easters are more common.”