When 241 nursing students in Toronto were asked why they’d volunteer at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, their answers didn’t center on soccer—they spoke of growth, service, and stepping into the roles they’re training for. As the city hosts six World Cup matches and the FIFA Fan Festival through July 19, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors and over 3,000 official volunteers, public health quietly takes center stage. Behind the cheers and flags, mass gatherings like this test emergency preparedness, disease surveillance, and community resilience—areas where nursing students, when properly supported, can make a real difference.
Large-scale events are often measured by economic impact or tourism, but the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention both emphasize their public health dimensions: infectious disease risks, heat stress, crowd safety, and access to care. Toronto’s moment in the global spotlight isn’t just about sport—it’s a live test of how cities can integrate health into event planning. And nursing students, as future frontline providers, could be part of that system.
Research led by Kateryna Metersky of Toronto Metropolitan University and Yasin M. Yasin of the University of New Brunswick reveals that nursing students aren’t drawn to volunteering by fandom or free tickets. Their top motivations are career development, personal values, and professional recognition. In interviews, 21 students described the World Cup as a rare chance to practice communication, teamwork, and crisis awareness in high-energy, diverse environments—skills that can’t always be taught in classrooms. But they also issued a clear message: they want roles that reflect their training, not just generic volunteer tasks.
They proposed meaningful contributions—offering first aid support, assisting with accessibility needs, sharing public health information, and recognizing early signs of distress in crowds. Crucially, they emphasized the need for supervision, clear responsibilities, and boundaries that respect their status as learners, not licensed professionals. When students are treated as more than free labor—when their education is honored and their limits respected—they become part of a smarter, more responsive public health network.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup could set a precedent. If nursing students are integrated thoughtfully into event health planning, cities gain a nimble, motivated, and skilled resource. More importantly, students gain real-world experience that prepares them for the challenges of modern healthcare. As global gatherings grow in scale and frequency, the lesson from Toronto is clear: public health isn’t just a backdrop to celebration—it’s woven into its foundation.