What to know<\/p>\n
Catherine Varner, a Toronto Emergency doctor, says the city\u2019s emergency departments are not prepared for a surge in demand that could come with the upcoming FIFA World Cup.<\/p>\n
In addition to alcohol- and substance-related injuries, Varner says there are risks of mass casualties, and infectious diseases.<\/p>\n
The city is working on developing a FIFA World Cup 2026 Operational Plan.<\/p>\n
Toronto is expected to welcome over 300,000 out-of-town visitors for the FIFA World Cup, and an urgent care physician says the city\u2019s emergency departments are not prepared.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a fairly large body of evidence around what happens to emergency department utilization during mass gathering events,\u201d Dr. Catherine Varner, deputy editor of Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ), tells Now Toronto.<\/p>\n
Sporting events, Varner says, are categorized separately from other mass events.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s because there\u2019s an association with increased alcohol- and substance-related visits as well as traumatic injuries,\u201d she explains.<\/p>\n
Varner is the author behind an editorial<\/a> published on CMAJ that highlights the vulnerabilities of emergency departments across Canada against a surge in demand following mass gathering events.<\/p>\n \u201cCanada is increasingly vulnerable to events that may result in a surge in health care utilization, including climate emergencies, mass gathering events, infectious disease outbreaks, and global defence escalation,\u201d she wrote.<\/p>\n With Toronto expected to host six FIFA matches this summer, Varner says its emergency rooms are not immune.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re at 100 per cent capacity,\u201d she says. \u201cIf we had an event where we needed a lot of hospital beds quickly \u2026 it would be hard for us to surge and continue to provide the high quality of care that patients deserve.\u201d<\/p>\n Additionally, the World Cup differs from other sporting events because it takes place over several weeks.<\/p>\n \u201cGiven that there\u2019s game after game, and more and more visitors, you\u2019d anticipate having a surge that lasts throughout that period.\u201d<\/p>\n How are Toronto\u2019s EDs preparing for FIFA?<\/p>\n Emergency departments across Toronto regularly assess their protocols for mass casualties \u2013 often referred to as \u2018Code Orange\u2019.<\/p>\n In her editorial, Varner points to the tragedy of Lapu-Lapu Day in Vancouver last year, where 11 people were killed and nearly 30 were injured when a vehicle rammed into a crowd.<\/p>\n \u201cWe don\u2019t experience those very often in Canada, and we\u2019re very grateful for that,\u201d Vaner says. \u201cBut keeping it top of mind is still part of our job.\u201d<\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n In October 2025, Toronto Public Health released its report<\/a> outlining the supportive role it\u2019s playing for the city in enhancing its existing emergency preparedness by developing a comprehensive FIFA World Cup 2026 Operational Plan.<\/p>\n Some of the risks outlined in the report include food safety, extreme heat, wildfire smoke, sexually-transmitted diseases, and respiratory infections.<\/p>\n \u201c[An infectious disease outbreak] is one of the major vulnerabilities of mass gathering events like FIFA,\u201d Varner says.<\/p>\n \u201cThere was a measles outbreak that occurred after the Vancouver Olympics [in 2010] that was directly related to international visitors, and it affected their health-care system in the area for about three months after.\u201d<\/p>\n In the report, TPH said it will continue to promote awareness and vaccination against the disease through collaboration with health-care providers. It comes as Canada lost its measles-free status<\/a> last November.<\/p>\n At the time, it also said it would \u201crefine its planning and risk assessments to address health risks specific to incoming fans\u201d once the list of participating nations was announced in December 2025.<\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n When asked about the status of the Operational Plan today, the city told Now Toronto, there are \u201cno further updates to share at this time.\u201d<\/p>\n TPH had said it was working in partnership with Toronto Emergency Management and the Toronto Police who are \u201cdeveloping comprehensive emergency preparedness and communication strategies.\u201d<\/p>\n There is also expected to be approximately 3,000 volunteers who will assist with fan services, media operations, accessibility and logistics.<\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n