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Summary

A health guide for Canadian World Cup fans, covering the key risks public health officials have flagged for Toronto and Vancouver including measles, respiratory illness, heat, and food safety and what to do about each.

For the first time ever, Canadians will watch World Cup matches played on home soil. Toronto and Vancouver are hosting games starting June 11, with fans pouring in from across the country and around the world for what will be one of the largest sporting events in Canadian history.

The excitement is real and so are the public health considerations that come with any mass gathering of this scale. Here’s what Canadian fans should know before they head to the stadium, the fan zone, or their neighbourhood watch party.

The biggest concern: measles

Canadian public health officials have been unusually direct about this one. In May, the Public Health Agency of Canada released a risk assessment warning that measles poses a “high likelihood” of being imported into Canada during the World Cup, citing how widespread the virus is globally and how easily it spreads through the air in crowded spaces.

The context matters. Canada lost its measles elimination status in 2024 after an outbreak spread to more than 5,000 people. The country can only regain that status if transmission is uninterrupted for a full year. Meanwhile, in the Americas alone, more than 20,500 measles cases have already been confirmed in 2026, a fourfold increase over the same period last year, with Canada accounting for 1,018 of those.

Vaccination coverage in parts of B.C. has fallen below the 95% threshold needed to prevent sustained transmission, and Ontario’s own risk assessment explicitly flagged crowded venues, international travel, and declining vaccination rates as risk factors for measles outbreaks during the tournament.

Measles spreads through the air and can linger in a room for up to two hours after an infected person has left. Two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine are required for full protection.

What to do: Check that you and your family are up to date on two doses of the MMR vaccine before attending any World Cup event. If you’re unsure of your vaccination history, contact your healthcare provider or local public health unit. Vaccines are free across Canad

Respiratory illness in crowded spaces

Measles isn’t the only respiratory concern. Any major mass gathering creates conditions for the spread of COVID-19, influenza, and other airborne illnesses. The PHAC risk assessment identified COVID-19 and food and water-borne outbreaks as “likely” during the games, alongside measles.

Stadiums, fan zones, bars, and public transit will all see elevated crowding throughout the tournament. The risk is highest for older adults, people who are immunocompromised, and those with underlying respiratory conditions. For measles specifically, infants and young children who are too young to be fully vaccinated, the MMR vaccine is typically given at 12 months in Canada, with a second dose at 18 months, are also in a higher-risk group and worth keeping in mind if you’re bringing little ones to events.

What to do: Consider wearing a well-fitted mask in densely crowded indoor settings if you are in a higher-risk group. Wash hands frequently, avoid touching your face, and stay home if you feel unwell. If you develop a fever, cough, or rash after attending an event, contact a healthcare provider and mention your attendance.

Most World Cup games in Toronto and Vancouver take place in June and July, peak summer. Both cities can see hot, humid stretches, and stadium crowds amplify the heat. Dehydration and heat exhaustion are among the most common medical presentations at major summer sporting events.

What to do: Drink water before, during, and after attending events. Wear light, breathable clothing, and wear a hat to protect yourself from direct sunlight! Know the signs of heat exhaustion, heavy sweating, dizziness, nausea, and weakness,  and heat stroke, which is a medical emergency marked by high body temperature, confusion, and the absence of sweating. If you or someone around you shows signs of heat stroke, call 911.

Food and water safety

With record numbers of vendors, temporary food setups, and pop-up events across both host cities, food safety is worth keeping in mind. Hepatitis A and food poisoning were among the risks flagged in the PHAC assessment.

What to do: Eat from reputable, licensed vendors. Wash hands before eating. The hepatitis A vaccine is also worth considering if you haven’t had it, it’s widely available at travel clinics and pharmacies across Canada and provides long-lasting protection.

What about Ebola and hantavirus?

Two high-profile outbreaks have made headlines recently: Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, and hantavirus linked to a cruise ship. Both are serious, but experts across the board say the risk to World Cup attendees is very low.

Ebola does not spread easily in the way respiratory viruses do; it requires direct contact with the bodily fluids of a symptomatic person. Hantavirus is spread by rodents, not person-to-person. Neither is expected to circulate among crowds at the games.

Is Canada’s health system ready?

This is the harder question. Emergency physicians have expressed concern that Toronto and Vancouver’s already-strained emergency departments are not well-positioned to absorb a surge in demand. An emergency doctor interviewed by CBC earlier this year warned that Canada’s overburdened health care system could struggle to handle additional pressure from infectious disease outbreaks or weather-related illnesses during the tournament.

Both cities have operational plans in place, and Toronto’s medical officer of health has confirmed that wastewater surveillance is being used to monitor disease trends across host cities. But the message for fans is clear: the best thing you can do is arrive healthy, vaccinated, and prepared.

The bottom line

The World Cup is a once-in-a-generation event for Canadians, and the vast majority of fans will enjoy it without incident. The risks described here are real but manageable, most of them come down to vaccination status and basic hygiene.

Check your MMR vaccines. Bring water. Wash your hands. And enjoy the tournament.

For travel health advice specific to your situation, visit Canada’s travel health website or speak with a pharmacist or travel health clinic.

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The information provided on TheHealthInsider.ca is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. TheHealthInsider.ca advises consulting a medical professional or healthcare provider when seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment. To read about our editorial review process click here.

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