Homelessness advocates and hotel workers rallied outside the FIFA Congress in Vancouver on Thursday, criticizing the city’s preparations for the upcoming World Cup and warning that vulnerable residents and workers are being ignored.
Protesters from an anti-FIFA coalition said the displacement of homeless people had already begun, citing street sweepers, restrictions on tents and the loss of belongings.
They demanded no police clearances of encampments or World Cup-related escalations and criticized Vancouver’s February human rights action plan on the tournament as weak and without firm commitments.
“There’s a lot of concern and fear in the community about what’s going to happen with the FIFA games,” said Fiona York, a community advocate. Reuters.
York said many unhoused residents fear a repeat of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics as people remember increased displacement and police crackdowns. She argued that the money spent on the tournament could instead support shelters, small houses or safe places for people living in vehicles.
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“Right now there is already a crisis and there is a great fear that it will get worse,” she said.
The protesters were joined by hotel workers from Unite Here Local 40 outside the Pan Pacific Hotel, where FIFA congress delegates were reportedly staying.
Union spokesperson Michelle Travis said rising hotel prices are not resulting in better wages for workers, many of whom have to commute long distances because they can’t afford to live in Vancouver.
The protesters called on FIFA and event organizers to ensure the World Cup does not worsen homelessness, displacement or hardship for workers – and proposed a ‘FIFA dividend’ to return money to affected communities.
“People love FIFA, they love football, but they also want to make sure that these events don’t drive people away, whether they’re working in the hotels or on the streets,” she said.
«They want FIFA to contribute when they are here.»
Vancouver will host the first of its seven World Cup matches on June 13.
Published on May 1, 2026
