Today, the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Vancouver Host Committee released the final version of the Host City Human Rights Action Plan (HRAP). Building on Canada, British Columbia, and Vancouver’s strong existing human rights frameworks, the HRAP outlines how the City will uphold the human rights of people who may be impacted by the planning, delivery, operation, and decommissioning of FIFA World Cup 2026 venues and the surrounding event footprint.
“We’re excited to welcome the world to Vancouver for the FIFA World Cup 2026,” said Mayor Ken Sim. “Hosting seven matches this summer is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for our city. Vancouver has a strong track record of hosting major international events, and we’re ready to deliver a tournament that is safe, accessible and welcoming for everyone.”
All 16 host cities are required by FIFA to develop a Human Rights Action Plan aligned with FIFA World Cup 2026’s Human Rights Framework, which establishes a consistent baseline for all host countries, while allowing for differences in implementation based on the different legal, regulatory and policy contexts internationally, nationally and locally.
“Vancouver has long placed human rights at the centre of its policies, programs and day-to-day work,” said Sandra Singh, Deputy City Manager, City of Vancouver. “Our Host City Human Rights Action Plan builds on the strong protections already embedded in federal and provincial human rights related legislation and services and our own local municipal policies and programs. It also identifies several areas of additional focused programming aimed at ensuring accessibility, inclusion, community safety, and support for vulnerable populations on match days.”
A review of Vancouver’s local context – including senior government legislation and services as well as local policies, programs and practices – confirmed that many of the requirements outlined in FIFA World Cup 2026’s Human Rights Framework are already embedded in existing federal, provincial and City frameworks related to human rights, accessibility, labour protections, Indigenous rights, equity, and inclusion. Vancouver’s HRAP identified additional measures to further support people during the seven matchdays and at the FIFA Fan Festival™ Vancouver, including:
- Increasing outreach and community safety patrols through additional funding for organizations such as Goodnight Out, Atira Women’s Resource Society, Mission Possible, and Moccasin Maffia (through Watari Counselling and Support Services). The City’s Homelessness Services Outreach Team will also continue to support and expand outreach efforts and is working to ensure coordination with other outreach teams.
- Addressing risks of gender-based violence through contracting with YWCA Metro Vancouver to extend operating hours at Crabtree Corner Community Resource Centre on Vancouver match days and with Battered Women’s Support Services to implement an awareness campaign on domestic gender-based violence.
- Supporting sex worker safety through additional funding for organizations such as Swan Vancouver, PACE (through the DTES Women’s Centre), WISH drop-in Centre, BC Coalition of Experiential Communities, and RainCity Housing, alongside trauma-informed outreach and service referrals.
- Improving accessibility across event sites, including accessible parking, viewing areas, sensory rooms and sensory kits, golf cart transportation, accessible signage, and assistive listening technology.
- Advancing Reconciliation and Indigenous partnerships through collaboration with Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations in event planning and delivery, including Indigenous-led programming, FIFA Fan Festival activations and cultural elements integrated throughout the event experience.
- Expanding drop-in centre capacity and programming at five City-operated spaces in the DTES and Downtown South during Vancouver match days.
- Raising public and volunteer awareness of safety, accessibility, human rights, supportive services, and available reporting mechanisms through a Know Before You Go campaign.
Vancouver’s HRAP was developed through discussions with community partners, non-profits and social service agencies. A full list of these groups can be found in Appendix A of the HRAP.
Read the final Human Rights Action Plan: vancouverfwc26.ca/human-rights
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