2026 FIFA World Cup's contingency plans for wildfire smoke remain unclear

The 2026 World Cup being hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States is less than a year away and FIFA's protocols for matches affected by wildfire smoke remain unclear.

The day after Toronto’s air quality was among the worst in the world, the organising committee for the World Cup in Canada declined to reveal guidelines for postponement or air quality related contingencies with football's international governing body. No policies are posted publicly.

The Air Quality Health Index rating for Toronto was over 10, or “very high risk,” on Monday morning, dropping to a “high risk” rating of 8 by late afternoon. This year’s fire season, according to Canadian government data, is the second-largest on record.


Canada's most destructive wildfire season was in 2023, with more than 6,000 fires burning 37 million acres (15 million hectares) of land, according to Natural Resources Canada.

The Canadian Football League doesn't play games when the AQHI surpasses a threshold of seven, according to an agreement with the players. Those games are postponed.