FIFA requests priority health care access for athletes, VIPs ahead of 2026 World Cup in Toronto and Vancouver

Organizers of the FIFA Men's World Cup in 2026 have requested pre-arranged access to medical care for athletes and VIPs at Toronto and Vancouver hospitals as part of both cities' responsibility for the games.

According to a FIFA document outlining host city requirements, the organization is asking for the access in designated hospitals as well as a full range of medical specialist care, medication, and adequately qualified medical staff. 

In simple terms, pre-arranged access means that FIFA aims to have a clearly designated hospital for athletes or VIPs seeking urgent emergency care after being evaluated at the stadium facilities.  

Canada is a co-host of the tournament with the U.S. and Mexico, with Toronto playing host to six games, and Vancouver seven. The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026.

A statement from FIFA to CBC Sports says that the guidelines are in place for all FIFA tournaments and are similar to those of other international bodies organizing major events. 

"FIFA's medical guidelines seek to establish clearly defined processes that ensure efficient provision of care to tournament participants and avoid any unnecessary burden on local healthcare resources," the statement said. "Medical services are designed to primarily ensure that there is no delay in providing rapid access to emergency care in time-critical situations."

Ontario's Ministry of Health told CBC Sports that any and all requests regarding the healthcare system are "from FIFA" and "do not reflect commitments from the Ministry of Health."

Meanwhile, B.C.'s Ministry of Health says that no agreements exist with Vancouver Coastal Health to provide FIFA athletes or VIPs with priority access to the provincial health care system. 

"As always, urgent care will be provided based on medical need, with patients triaged and treated according to the severity of their illness or condition. Furthermore, the B.C. government has not signed any contracts with FIFA regarding the organization, staging, or operation of the FIFA World Cup 26 matches," a statement to CBC Sports said.  

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While the requests of the organization have not yet been publicly granted or denied, the ask comes at an arduous time for the Ontario health care system, with more than 2,500 more physicians needed across the province, according to HealthForceOntario. 

As of late 2024, about 1.2 million patients are currently waiting to see a health expert in British Columbia in specialized areas including cardiology, urology, orthopedic surgery, and neurology, according to a survey conducted by Doctors of BC and the Consultant Specialists of BC.

Kerry Bowman, a University of Toronto professor of bioethics, says the request is a "serious ethical problem."

"I don't see FIFA as being the problem, because they know what their standard practice is. I would see the problem as resting within Canadian healthcare representatives," Bowman told CBC Sports. "Often what happens in sports medicine, the status of the athlete is what determines the access to care, and that's very problematic ethically."