CANADA

"Countdown Begins for 2026 World Cup in Canada!"

11.06.2025 5,82 B 5 Mins Read

The one-year countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup officially begins on Wednesday, with special clocks set to be unveiled in host cities Toronto, Vancouver, and at the iconic Niagara Falls. As host cities, Toronto and Vancouver will play significant roles in this expanded 48-team soccer tournament, which has generated excitement across Canada.

Several pivotal milestones are expected in the coming months. In August, organizers will call for around 7,000 volunteers to assist with the event, ticket sales are slated to commence in September, and the tournament draw is scheduled for December. Notably, Adidas has yet to reveal the official match ball for the tournament, and the introduction of tournament mascots and an official poster are anticipated soon. Additionally, the World Cup trophy will be displayed in Ottawa on Canada Day.

The tournament is set to kick off on June 11, 2026, with initial matches taking place in Mexico City and Guadalajara. The focus will shift to Toronto and Los Angeles on June 12, where Canadian fans will take part in the sporting spectacle. The final match is planned for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Peter Montopoli, the chief tournament officer for Canada, spoke on the rapid progression leading to the event, stating, “It’s nine years so far on this project. This marathon is now at one year out, turned into a sprint.” He added that this phase is particularly exciting for event organizers, as last-minute preparations and executions unfold in the final year.

A total of 104 matches are slated to occur, with Canada and Mexico hosting 13 games each and the United States hosting the remaining 78. This upcoming World Cup will feature an increase from the last seven editions, which included 32 teams and 64 matches. Teams already qualified include Japan, Iran, South Korea, Jordan, Uzbekistan, and New Zealand, with Argentina as the defending champion from South America.

For Canadians eager to attend the games, ticketing will offer two main avenues: a lottery system via FIFA and membership in Canada Soccer’s Canada Red program, which will manage ticket distributions. Montopoli emphasized that different purchasing options will be available, advising potential buyers to act in the fall for early access. However, specific ticket prices have not yet been disclosed.

While the full match schedule will be announced at the draw, it is confirmed that Canada will play its opening match in Toronto before continuing its group games in Vancouver. Both Canadian host cities are set to each host five opening-round matches, along with knockout rounds. Vancouver will also host a round-of-16 game.

Canada Soccer is revamping its Canada Red membership program, expanding it from three tiers to seven, thus increasing the varying levels of ticket access. The new structure, launching in late July, aims to provide increased opportunities for fans to secure tickets through a tiered lottery system, benefiting the Canada Soccer Foundation in the process.

As the countdown continues, the City of Toronto is still navigating funding challenges to cover its tournament expenses, which are anticipated to reach $380 million. The federal government will contribute $104 million, while Ontario’s share is about $97 million, leaving Toronto with $178.7 million, which accounts for 47% of the total cost.

Significant stadium upgrades are underway, including the construction of permanent suites at B.C. Place Stadium and the expansion of BMO Field’s seating capacity to approximately 45,735. The venue is also introducing new video screens and suites to enhance the fan experience. FIFA will take control of the stadiums 30 days before the first game, with dates set for May 13 for Toronto and May 14 for Vancouver.

With organizational offices already operational in Toronto and set to open in Vancouver, preparations are showing strong momentum. Montopoli expressed confidence in the current state of preparations: “So we feel very comfortable in where we stand today. There’s always little nuances that can happen, but as of today — one year out — we’re exactly where we felt we needed to be to position ourselves for success.”

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