Additional paramedics needed for FIFA World Cup, report says

1 week ago 14

Subcommittee adopts report that could see medical personnel from Peel, York and Durham regions respond to emergencies within 2 kilometres of Toronto's boundaries

Published Apr 28, 2026 • Last updated 4 minutes ago • 2 minute read

The 2026 FIFA World Cup countdown clock is seen outside Toronto City Hall at Nathan Phillips Square, July 15, 2025.

Toronto councillors will vote on a plan next month that would add paramedics to the city from surrounding regions during the FIFA World Cup.

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The additional medics are necessary, a staff reports says, because Canadian representatives of soccer’s world governing body and host committee requested that Toronto emergency personnel be physically at BMO Field for the six games among the “10 high-demand event days” between June 11 and July 2.

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“This time-limited approach involves the deployment of paramedic resources from neighbouring services within Toronto near the municipal borders,” staff said in a letter to the city’s FIFA World Cup 2026 Subcommittee.

Additional personnel from outside regions

The request, led by Executive Director of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Sharon Bollenbach, Toronto Secretariat, and Toronto Paramedic Services, would see paramedics from Peel, York and Durham regions deliver “uninterrupted emergency response within two kilometres of Toronto’s municipal boundaries using an integrated regional paramedic response model.”

Staff also said the city is expected to welcome more than 230,000 additional daily visitors during the tournament, “which will place increased demand on the medical emergency response system and transportation networks.”

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The subcommittee adopted the regional paramedic response model Tuesday afternoon during a meeting. The plan will be considered by council as early as May 20.

The cost of the additional paramedics is tabbed at $800,000, which will come out of the city’s $7.9 million World Cup paramedic budget.

Stadium will be staffed with medics

Melanie Jordison, the deputy chief at Toronto Paramedic Services, said medics will be staffed throughout BMO Field for players as well as fans.

“We’ll have medical coverage of the entire stadium,” Jordison told the subcommittee, which would involve 40 to 50 medical personnel on match days.

There will also be dedicated paramedic resources for the FIFA Fan Fest at Fort York and The Bentway.

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