Public health on the pitch: Radiation readiness for the FIFA World Cup

Abstract

Major international events like the FIFA World Cup require readiness for low-probability but high-impact radiological and nuclear incidents. Radiation exposure often presents with delayed, non-specific symptoms, and response can be complicated by public anxiety, limited lab capacity, and resource constraints.

With Canada hosting two tournament sites Health Canada, who leads and coordinates the technical and scientific response to nuclear emergencies in Canada, plays a key role in ensuring national readiness through the Federal Nuclear Emergency Plan (FNEP) and coordination with provinces, territories, and international partners. If a nuclear incident were to occur during FIFA2026, the FNEP would be activated to support the provincial response.

After this webinar, participants will be able to:

1. Discuss public health considerations in radiological and nuclear scenarios.
2. Describe clinical effects of radiation exposure.
3. Identify key resources to support the medical response to a nuclear or radiological emergency in Canada. These include The METER: Health Effects of Radiation Exposure training course, RN medical Countermeasures in the National Emergency Strategic Stockpile, REMCOP – Radiation Emergency Management Community of Practice, and the Biodosimetry Network

Speakers

Dr. Ziad Kazzi
Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Emory University

Dr. Ziad Kazzi is an esteemed professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at Emory University, Atlanta, and the director of the International Toxicology Fellowship Program at the same institution. His training includes Emergency Medicine and Medical Toxicology at Emory University, the Georgia Poison Center, and the CDC. Dr. Kazzi also serves as the assistant medical director ofthe Georgia Poison Center and associate medical director of the Southern Regional Disaster Response System. 

With a deep interest in international toxicology and environmental health, Dr. Kazzi is involved in research on environmental contamination and lead hazards. He is president of the American College of Medical Toxicology. Additionally, he is a founding member and Immediate Past-President of the Middle East North Africa Toxicology Association and a member of the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements. He also serves on the advisory board of the Radiation Injury Treatment Network.

Tristan Barr
Manager, Planning, Outreach, Exercises and Training Section (POETS), Radiation Protection Bureau, Health Canada

Tristan Barr is the section head of Planning, Outreach, Exercises and Training section within the Radiation Protection Bureau of Health Canada. He has master’s degree in biology and has worked in the field of radiation protection in private industry and government since 2002. Mr. Barr has extensive expertise in radiation detection, characterization, dosimetry, radioactive waste management, emergency response and has recently focused on nuclear emergency exercises and the management of the Canadian Federal Nuclear Emergency Plan. Mr. Barr represents Health Canada in several fora at the national and international levels including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Nuclear Energy Agency's Working Party on Nuclear Emergency Matters (WPNEM), and Arctic Council Emergency Prevention, Preparedness and Response Radiation Expert Group (EPPR). 
 

Additional resources (provided by the speakers):

• SRDRS Radiological / Nuclear Incident Response Quick Guide for First Responders & First Receivers  
• Canadian guide on medical management of radiation emergencies .: H129-49/2015E-PDF - Government of Canada Publications - Canada.ca
• PHAC training portal - search for METER: Log in to the site | PHAC Training Portal
  • Course titles (available in English and French)
  • METER: Basic Concepts of Radiation and Protection Principles
  • METER: Health Effects of Radiation Exposure
• Radiation Basics videogame:  To view preview or to play (works on computers, not on phones or tablets).