Contingency plans unclear for 2026 World Cup wildfire smoke risks
A day after Toronto's air quality was among the worst in the world, the organizing committee for the World Cup in Canada declined to reveal guidelines for postponement or air-quality-related contingencies with FIFA. No policies are posted publicly.
The World Cup will run from June 11 to July 19, 2026. Canada will stage 13 games -- seven in Vancouver and six in Toronto.
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.
In the CFL, meanwhile, games can't be played when the AQHI surpasses a threshold of seven, according to an agreement between the league and its players. CFL stadiums are also equipped with air-quality sensors to provide real-time readings.
The CFL postponed the Saskatchewan Roughriders-Calgary Stampeders game in Regina from Friday night to Saturday afternoon this past weekend due to air quality issues, as wildfires from northern Saskatchewan pushed the AQHI above 10.
Many minor soccer associations in Canada also recommend delaying or rescheduling games if the AQHI is 7 or higher.
Dr. Andrew Halayko, a professor of physiology and pathophysiology at the University of Manitoba, calls anything above 10 a "no-brainer" for postponing sporting events. He also believes sporting events on days when the AQHI rises higher than 7 should be rescheduled due to health concerns.
Halayko adds while people should be able to make their own health decisions, sometimes the general population needs guidance.
Waiting for the World Cup
1 month ago
With the 2026 World Cup now one year away, CBC Sports' Chris Jones examines it's impact and what it will mean to Canada in this video essay.
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Published Jul 17, 2025 • 3 minute read Montreal Alouettes quarterback Davis Alexander throws the ball during first half CFL action against the Toronto Argonauts in Montreal on July 17, 2025. Photo by Christopher Katsarov / The Canadian Press MONTREAL — Davis Alexander ran for a 10-yard touchdown with 1:46 remaining as the Montreal Alouettes rallied for a 26-25 win over the Toronto Argonauts on Thursday. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The Alouettes quarterback improved to 8-0 as a starter, matching Danny McManus's CFL record of eight straight victories to begin a career. Alexander initially showed rust with a costly interception in his return from missing two games with a hamstring injury, but bounced back for 303 passing yards, one passing touchdown and his game-winning score for Montreal (4-2), which had lost two in a row without him. However, he appeared to aggravate the hamstring injury on his touchdown run. The Alouettes trailed 25-7 before they started a comeback late in the third quarter. Cole Spieker and Sean Thomas-Erlington also scored touchdowns, while Jose Maltos kicked two field goals and Joseph Zema added a single before 19,354 at Molson Stadium after a rainy day in Montreal. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Nick Arbuckle threw two touchdown passes and one interception, going for 242 yards in his sixth consecutive start for defending champion Toronto (1-5) while 2023 outstanding player Chad Kelly remained injured. Damonte Coxie, Deonta McMahon and David Ungerer III scored touchdowns for Toronto. Lirim Hajrullahu kicked a 45-yard field goal while John Haggerty added a single. The Alouettes claimed the season series after winning 28-10 over the Argos on June 6. The East Division rivals meet for one more regular-season matchup Sept. 19 at BMO Field. Toronto took a 25-7 lead six minutes into the third quarter when Arbuckle found Ungerer alone with a 14-yard end-zone pass, capping a 76-yard drive. Late in the quarter, the Alouettes responded with their first touchdown off a gutsy play on third down as Spieker hauled down Alexander's 10-yard pass for a score, cutting Toronto's advantage to 25-14. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Spieker then caught the ball and ran for a 38-yard gain in the fourth quarter before Thomas-Erlington rushed three yards into the end zone to make it 25-20. Montreal missed the two-point conversion. Then came a number of momentum swings. On Montreal's next possession, Alexander fooled the Argos defence with some play action and found Spieker for a 47-yard reception. Spieker, however, fumbled the ball just before crossing into the end zone. Arbuckle then fumbled the ball at the Toronto 21 after a sack from Lwal Uguak, leading to a 10-yard TD rush from Alexander, who injured himself on the play. The Alouettes took a 26-25 lead with 1:46 remaining after another missed two-point conversion, but Kabion Ento sealed the win with an interception. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The first half featured a slow opening 20 minutes for both offences, but Toronto finally broke into the end zone twice in a short span in the second quarter. Arbuckle hit Coxie on a five-yard TD strike with 5:16 remaining in the first half, capping a 10-play, 70-yard drive in which the quarterback completed passes to four different receivers. On the ensuing drive, Toronto defensive back Tarvarus McFadden picked off Alexander and returned the ball 38 yards to the Montreal 15, setting up McMahon's two-yard run for a score as the Argos took a commanding 18-4 lead with 2:46 left. A second Maltos field goal cut it to 18-7 before halftime. Neither side reached the red zone in the first quarter. The Alouettes — who didn't run the ball until 2:40 remained in the second quarter — totalled only 142 yards in net offence in the opening half. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Their best chance at a touchdown came four minutes into the second quarter when Alexander tried to create some magic with a deep ball to Austin Mack, but McFadden broke up the pass. NOTES Alouettes receiver Tyson Philpot was a late scratch due to a knee injury. Daniel Oladejo took his place in the lineup … Montreal signed veteran defensive lineman Shawn Lemon to a contract through the rest of the season before kickoff. The CFL reinstated Lemon from a gambling suspension Wednesday. The 36-year-old still needed to serve a two-game suspension after testing positive for a banned appetite suppressant. UP NEXT Alouettes: Visit the Calgary Stampeders next Thursday. Argos: Host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on July 26. Toronto & GTA Toronto & GTA Tennis MMA Toronto Maple Leafs
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Alexander, Alouettes stage late comeback for 26-25 win over Argonauts
MONTREAL – Davis Alexander ran for a 10-yard touchdown with 1:46 remaining as the Montreal Alouettes rallied for a 26-25 win over the Toronto Argonauts on Thursday. The Alouettes quarterback improved to 8-0 as a starter, matching Danny McManus's CFL record of eight straight victories to begin a career. Alexander initially showed rust with a costly interception in his return from missing two games with a hamstring injury, but bounced back for 303 passing yards, one passing touchdown and his game-winning score for Montreal (4-2), which had lost two in a row without him. The Alouettes trailed 25-7 before they started a comeback late in the third quarter. Cole Spieker and Sean Thomas-Erlington also scored touchdowns, while Jose Maltos kicked two field goals and Joseph Zema added a single before 19,354 at Molson Stadium after a rainy day in Montreal. Nick Arbuckle threw two touchdown passes and one interception, going for 242 yards in his sixth consecutive start for defending champion Toronto (1-5) while 2023 outstanding player Chad Kelly remained injured. Damonte Coxie, Deonta McMahon and David Ungerer III scored touchdowns for Toronto. Lirim Hajrullahu kicked a 45-yard field goal while John Haggerty added a single. The Alouettes claimed the season series after winning 28-10 over the Argos on June 6. The East Division rivals meet for one more regular-season matchup Sept. 19 at BMO Field. Toronto took a 25-7 lead six minutes into the third quarter when Arbuckle found Ungerer alone with a 14-yard end-zone pass, capping a 76-yard drive. Late in the quarter, the Alouettes responded with their first touchdown off a gutsy play on third down as Spieker hauled down Alexander's 10-yard pass for a score, cutting Toronto's advantage to 25-14. Spieker then caught the ball and ran for a 38-yard gain in the fourth quarter before Thomas-Erlington rushed three yards into the end zone to make it 25-20. Montreal missed the two-point conversion. Then came a number of momentum swings. On Montreal's next possession, Alexander fooled the Argos defence with some play action and found Spieker for a 47-yard reception. Spieker, however, fumbled the ball just before crossing into the end zone. Arbuckle then fumbled the ball at the Toronto 21 after a sack from Lwal Uguak, leading to a 10-yard TD rush from Alexander, who injured himself on the play. The Alouettes took a 26-25 lead with 1:46 remaining after another missed two-point conversion, but Kabion Ento sealed the win with an interception. The first half featured a slow opening 20 minutes for both offences, but Toronto finally broke into the end zone twice in a short span in the second quarter. Arbuckle hit Coxie on a five-yard TD strike with 5:16 remaining in the first half, capping a 10-play, 70-yard drive in which the quarterback completed passes to four different receivers. On the ensuing drive, Toronto defensive back Tarvarus McFadden picked off Alexander and returned the ball 38 yards to the Montreal 15, setting up McMahon's two-yard run for a score as the Argos took a commanding 18-4 lead with 2:46 left. A second Maltos field goal cut it to 18-7 before halftime. Neither side reached the red zone in the first quarter. The Alouettes — who didn't run the ball until 2:40 remained in the second quarter — totalled only 142 yards in net offence in the opening half. Their best chance at a touchdown came four minutes into the second quarter when Alexander tried to create some magic with a deep ball to Austin Mack, but McFadden broke up the pass. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. NOTES: Alouettes receiver Tyson Philpot was a late scratch due to a knee injury. Daniel Oladejo took his place in the lineup. … Montreal signed veteran defensive lineman Shawn Lemon to a contract through the rest of the season before kickoff. The CFL reinstated Lemon from a gambling suspension Wednesday. The 36-year-old still needed to serve a two-game suspension after testing positive for a banned appetite suppressant. UP NEXT Alouettes: Visit the Calgary Stampeders next Thursday. Argos: Host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on July 26. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 17, 2025.
