Toronto city councillors are set to vote next month on a proposal to supplement the city's paramedic services with personnel from surrounding regions during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The plan, adopted by the city's FIFA World Cup 2026 Subcommittee on Tuesday, aims to ensure uninterrupted emergency medical response within two kilometres of Toronto's municipal boundaries on high-demand event days.
Additional Medics Needed for Six Games
According to a staff report, the additional paramedics are necessary because Canadian representatives of soccer's world governing body and the host committee requested that Toronto emergency personnel be physically present at BMO Field for all six games. These matches fall within ten high-demand event days scheduled between June 11 and July 2, 2026.
“This time-limited approach involves the deployment of paramedic resources from neighbouring services within Toronto near the municipal borders,” staff wrote in a letter to the subcommittee. The request, led by Executive Director of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Sharon Bollenbach and Toronto Paramedic Services, would see paramedics from Peel, York, and Durham regions participate in an integrated regional paramedic response model.
Increased Demand During Tournament
Staff also noted that 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. The cost of the additional paramedics is estimated at $800,000, which will be drawn from the city's $7.9 million World Cup paramedic budget.
Melanie Jordison, deputy chief at Toronto Paramedic Services, confirmed that medics will be stationed throughout BMO Field to cover both players and fans. “We'll have medical coverage of the entire stadium,” she told the subcommittee, adding that 40 to 50 medical personnel will be on duty on match days. Dedicated paramedic resources will also be provided for the FIFA Fan Fest at Fort York and The Bentway.
The regional paramedic response model will be considered by city council as early as May 20. If approved, it will ensure that emergency services remain seamless across municipal borders during the high-profile international event.
