As Vancouver prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, advocates in the Downtown Eastside are expressing concerns about potential displacement of residents. The area falls within a two-kilometer “beautification” zone around B.C. Place stadium, a requirement set by FIFA for host cities. Many residents fear a repeat of the 2010 Olympics, when unhoused individuals were reportedly pushed out of key areas for safety and security reasons.

Following his election in 2008, then-mayor Gregor Robertson took swift action to ready the neighborhood for the 2010 Games. This included the implementation of the province’s Assistance to Shelter Act, which allowed authorities to move hundreds of people sleeping outdoors into emergency shelters during extreme weather. First United, a shelter that expanded its services before the Olympics, continues to support the Downtown Eastside community today.

Amanda Burrows, executive director of First United, highlighted the similarities between past and present situations. "There is anxiety that there will be street sweeps similar to 2010, however, more intense due to the leaning of the current council," she said. Under Mayor Ken Sim, the city has increased policing and enforcement in the Downtown Eastside, including a significant clearing of a camp on East Hastings Street in April 2023, aimed at enhancing safety and reducing fire risks associated with tents.

Jean Swanson, a former city councilor and anti-poverty advocate, voiced her concerns about the city’s priorities. "People in the Downtown Eastside are terrified," she stated. "I suspect someone living on the street does not count in the city’s perspective of beauty. The current city council has been harsh on people living on the street without FIFA … so with FIFA, I suspect it will be even worse."

Since the 2010 Winter Olympics, Vancouver's homeless population has increased by nearly 11 percent. The city’s Homeless Count recorded 2,181 individuals without stable housing during the Games, a number that rose to 2,420 by 2023. Swanson is advocating for a different approach, referencing the 2010 HomeGround festival organized by the Carnegie Community Centre. This event provided free shelter, food, services, entertainment, and paid work for unhoused and low-income residents.

In response to concerns about displacement, FIFA has introduced a human rights framework for the 2026 World Cup. This framework aims to protect unsheltered populations and promote non-discrimination and workers' rights. Host cities, including 16 in North America, are expected to submit plans addressing these issues by August 29.

FIFA's framework states its goal is to create a tournament environment that prevents and mitigates the displacement of unsheltered populations. It emphasizes the need for targeted actions focusing on support networks and services. The City of Vancouver has not yet released specific details about its approach, but the Vancouver FIFA World Cup Host Committee has stated it has "no plans to displace or relocate people experiencing homelessness due to FIFA World Cup 26 host city requirements."

In a recent statement, the committee affirmed its commitment to planning the event in accordance with all relevant policies and legal protections for those experiencing or at risk of homelessness. This includes minimizing disruptions to residents' access to shelters and services, particularly in Downtown, Chinatown, and the Downtown Eastside.

However, questions remain about the effectiveness of the framework's implementation. Human rights lawyer Jennifer Li, coordinator of the Dignity 2026 Coalition, noted that while the framework provides guidance, it is not legally binding. "What is unclear is how cities like this are going to displace or remove people from around the stadiums? Where will they relocate them to?" she asked. Li emphasized that while the framework aims to prevent displacement, the enforcement mechanisms and specific remedies for affected individuals remain ambiguous. "What often happens at these mega sporting events is that people who are homeless or housing insecure are the hardest hit."