Ebola Preparedness Enters the World Cup Conversation

As the Ebola outbreak in Central Africa continues to draw international attention, Canadians are weighing the risks at home, the role of public health authorities, and what precautions may be needed during major international events like the FIFA World Cup.

A new Leger survey finds that Canadians are more likely to say they are not concerned than concerned about the current Ebola outbreak. Still, support for temporary border restrictions is overwhelming, and many Canadians would back stronger screening measures if concerns increased during the World Cup.

• 39% of Canadians are concerned about the current Ebola outbreak, while 52% are not concerned.
• 85% support the federal government’s decision to temporarily restrict entry from countries most affected by the outbreak.
• Canadians are split on Canada’s role: 36% say Canada should focus mainly on preventing Ebola from entering the country, while 35% say Canada should both strengthen domestic preparedness and support affected countries.
• 43% are confident public health authorities can prevent Ebola from spreading during the FIFA World Cup, while 40% are not confident.
• Mandatory health screening is the most supported measure if Ebola concerns increase during the tournament, chosen by 39% of Canadians.

Canadians are watching the Ebola outbreak, but most are not expressing a high level of concern. Overall, 39% say they are very or somewhat concerned, compared with 52% who say they are not very or not at all concerned. Concern is highest in Quebec and among Canadians aged 55 and older.

The survey comes as international health authorities continue to monitor the 2026 Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. According to the World Health Organization, the outbreak involves the Bundibugyo species of Ebola, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment.

Even with moderate concern overall, Canadians strongly support precautionary border measures. More than eight in ten Canadians support temporarily restricting entry from countries most affected by the Ebola outbreak, including 54% who strongly support the measure.

That support suggests Canadians may not see border restrictions only through the lens of personal worry. For many, they appear to be viewed as a reasonable prevention step when the risk is serious but still largely external. The Government of Canada has introduced temporary Ebola-related border measures, while stating that the current health risk to people in Canada is considered low.

Canadians are not aligned around a single view of Canada’s role in the Ebola response. The largest share, 36%, says Canada should focus mainly on preventing Ebola from entering the country. Nearly the same proportion, 35%, says Canada should take a balanced approach by strengthening domestic preparedness while also supporting affected countries.

Only 11% say Canada should primarily provide funding, medical supplies, or expertise abroad. The result points to a “protect Canada, but do not disengage” mindset: Canadians want domestic safeguards, but many also recognize that international support can be part of outbreak control.

The FIFA World Cup adds another layer of public concern. Canada is co-hosting the 2026 tournament with the United States and Mexico, with Canadian matches taking place in Toronto and Vancouver. The Government of Canada says the tournament will bring together 48 countries across 104 games, with Canada hosting 13 matches.

When asked whether they are confident public health authorities can prevent Ebola from spreading during the tournament, Canadians are nearly split: 43% are confident, while 40% are not confident. Another 17% are unsure.

This is not a rejection of public health authorities, but it does show that confidence is not automatic. During large international events, Canadians may need to see not only that plans exist, but also how those plans would work if concerns escalated.

If Ebola concerns increased during the World Cup, Canadians would be most likely to support mandatory health screening for some travellers or event workers. This measure is preferred by 39%, ahead of limiting large public gatherings, public-health signage, voluntary symptom screening, or taking no additional measures unless a case is confirmed in Canada.

For governments and public health authorities, the takeaway is fairly direct: Canadians are not necessarily looking for the most disruptive response, but they do want visible safeguards. Screening stands out because it signals action while still allowing major events to continue.

The findings suggest that Canadians want public health measures that are visible, understandable, and tied to the level of risk. They are not uniformly alarmed about Ebola, but they do support preventive action when the stakes are high.

For public institutions, the communications challenge is to explain what is being done, why it matters, and when additional measures would be considered. That will be especially important during the FIFA World Cup, where public confidence may depend as much on clear communication as on the measures themselves.

For more Leger insights on Canadians’ views on public policy, social issues and trust in institutions, check out our latest blogs.

This web survey was conducted among 1,518 Canadians aged 18 or older from June 5 to June 7, 2026, using Leger’s online panel, LEO. Respondents could complete the survey in English or French. Results were weighted by age, gender, mother tongue, region, education and presence of children in the household to ensure a representative sample of the Canadian population. For comparison purposes, a probability sample of this size would have a margin of error no greater than ±2.52%, 19 times out of 20.