Context:

As the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States approaches, FIFA's contingency plans for dealing with wildfire smoke remain unspecified. Despite Toronto experiencing some of the worst air quality globally, the organizing committee has not disclosed any guidelines for match postponements due to air quality issues. Health experts emphasize the importance of context and current air quality forecasts in determining whether events should be canceled, as the impact on athletes and the general audience varies. While healthy athletes might handle poor air conditions better, pollution can still affect cognitive abilities and increase injury risks. The Canadian Football League has a policy of postponing games when air quality ratings surpass a certain threshold, yet no similar public policies are evident for the World Cup matches.

Dive Deeper:

• With the World Cup less than a year away, there are no public FIFA protocols for dealing with wildfire smoke, even as Canada, one of the host countries, has experienced severe air quality issues.

• Toronto recently had an Air Quality Health Index rating over 10, indicating a very high risk, highlighting the urgency for clear guidelines, which have yet to be provided by the World Cup organizing committee.

• Dr. Howard Shapiro from Toronto Public Health mentions ongoing reviews of air-quality issues and potential guidance to ensure health and safety during the tournament, reflecting local efforts to prepare despite the lack of international clarity.

• Experts like Dr. Andrew Halayko suggest rescheduling outdoor events when air quality is poor, particularly to protect vulnerable groups, but acknowledge the difficulty in setting universal air quality thresholds for event cancellations.

• Dr. Christopher Carlsten emphasizes the need for a contextual approach, considering factors like audience age and air quality forecasts, to decide on event continuations or cancellations.

• The debate continues over the impact of poor air quality on athletes, with some asserting that their health and youth might mitigate long-term effects, while others highlight the risk of cognitive impairment affecting performance and safety.

• In contrast to the World Cup's lack of public policies, the Canadian Football League postpones games when air quality exceeds a certain level, showcasing a proactive stance in protecting athletes and spectators.