The United States is due to officially exit the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Thursday, January 22, 2026, after giving notice a year ago. The move follows an executive order signed on the first day of President Donald Trump’s second term in January 2025, which triggered the required one-year withdrawal process.

Under US law, Washington must give a year’s notice and pay all outstanding fees before leaving. But WHO has said the US still has not paid what it owes for 2024 and 2025, with outstanding dues reported at $260 million.

Why the Unpaid Fees Matter

The US has historically been WHO’s biggest financial backer, contributing about 18% of its overall funding. With the withdrawal date now here, WHO has already been cutting back, including reducing parts of its leadership structure and scaling down work to manage a budget crunch.

Member states are expected to discuss how the US departure will be handled at WHO’s executive board meeting in February.

A US State Department spokesperson blamed WHO for failing to contain, manage and share information during major health crises, saying that failure cost the US trillions of dollars. The same spokesperson said the US would pause future transfers of government funds, support, or resources to WHO.

Legal experts have also raised alarms. Lawrence Gostin, a global health law specialist, described the situation as a clear violation of US law if the country exits without settling what it owes.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has urged the US to reconsider, warning the decision is a loss for the US and the rest of the world. He has argued that WHO plays a key role in detecting, preventing and responding to health emergencies, including disease outbreaks.

What Happens Next

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Bill Gates said he does not expect the US to return soon, adding that the world still needs WHO. For everyday people, the stakes are simple: weaker global coordination can mean slower warnings, slower responses and bigger risks when the next outbreak hits.