The City of Toronto abruptly cancelled its official World Cup viewing parties scheduled for Thursday at Nathan Phillips Square, citing an extreme heat forecast and the demand on safety resources. However, FIFA confirmed that the evening match between Portugal and Croatia at Toronto Stadium will proceed as planned, with protocols in place to manage the heat.
Heat forces cancellation of city-run watch parties
In a social media post late Wednesday night, the city announced the cancellation of Thursday's watch parties at Nathan Phillips Square, explaining that the decision was driven by the extreme heat forecast and the need to ensure public safety. Environment Canada has predicted a high of 35°C in Toronto on Thursday, though temperatures are expected to drop to around 31°C by the 7 p.m. kickoff.
Despite the city's cancellation, unofficial viewing parties may still take place at Fan Fest and other locations across Toronto. The city did not immediately clarify what specific resource demands prompted the cancellation, but the Toronto Sun has sought further details.
FIFA outlines heat safety measures for match
In an emailed statement, FIFA said it “continues to monitor conditions in real time” and “stands ready to apply established contingency protocols should extreme weather events occur.” The tournament organizer highlighted its approach to heat management, including protocols for hydration breaks, work-rest cycles for staff and volunteers, and consultations with expert doctors, meteorologists, and emergency management authorities.
Fans attending Thursday's match at Toronto Stadium are permitted to bring one factory-sealed disposable water bottle no larger than 590 mL. The venue may also provide cooling areas with shade and misting systems, deploy cooling buses, and distribute water if necessary, according to FIFA's statement.
Security concerns amid staffing shortages
The cancellation comes amid broader security concerns. The Toronto Police Service said in a statement that it is “well positioned to support FIFA-related events … while maintaining policing operations across the city.” However, the police acknowledged that “Toronto is also experiencing extreme heat, which can increase demand across a range of city services.”
Earlier this month, the Toronto Sun reported that dozens of private security guards hired by the city's contractor, Star Security, failed to show up for work during the first weekend of the World Cup. Sources said Toronto Police were forced to cover the shortfall, racking up overtime. The city subsequently scrambled to hire additional security contractors to fill the gaps.
The strain on security resources also follows a conflict over security costs at another public event. The pedestrianization of Church Street near Wellesley Street faces a $500,000 deficit, with $300,000 allocated for patrols of a two-block area. Local councillor Chris Moise's office said that amount “includes costs that the police required in order for them to feel comfortable and sign off on the project.” Toronto Police estimated the cost of paid-duty officers at peak periods at close to $50,000, with on-duty officers handling most of the work.
Other World Cup matches on Thursday
In addition to the Portugal-Croatia match in Toronto, two other World Cup games are scheduled for Thursday: Spain vs. Austria at 3 p.m. ET in Los Angeles and Switzerland vs. Algeria at 11 p.m. ET in Vancouver. No heat-related changes have been announced for those matches.
