The overall goal of this project is to critically and empirically examine the potential and actual impacts of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in relation to the human rights and well-being of children and youth in Toronto. We aim to understand how hosting sports mega-events (SMEs), like the FIFA World Cup, has been shown to affect the rights of children and youth in largely negative ways (Dowse, Powell and Weed, 2018), specifically children’s rights to housing, education and the principle of ensuring children’s best interests (Ludvigsen and Byrne, 2024).
Further, the increased policing and security practices of hosting the World Cup have a disproportionate impact on vulnerable urban youth, who may be precariously housed, racialized, and/or street (sex) (Roberts, 2010). As such, the purpose of this study is to understand and uphold the voices and experiences of residents in Thorncliffe Park in relation to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Toronto, with a particular eye to the perspectives of Thorncliffe youth ages 12-30.
We aim to explore how the World Cup may shape the everyday lives of youth, families, and community organizations in Thorncliffe Park, particularly in relation to access to programs and community spaces such as those offered by the Thorncliffe Neighbourhood Office (TNO). This research study will work closely with TNO, as our partner organization, as well as the Community Advisory Board (CAB) created by TNO.
The objectives of the study are to:
- Understand residents’ and youth perspectives on the anticipated impacts of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Toronto.
- Examine how large sporting events may influence access to, participation in, and delivery of youth programs and community services.
- Explore how community organizations and programs respond to these impacts, including their ability to support youth well-being and provide services such as safe spaces, food access, and other forms of support.