The match schedule for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been announced, with Canada’s first match to be held in Toronto.
The tournament, hosted by Mexico, Canada and the United States, will open on June 11 at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, FIFA announced in a media broadcast Sunday afternoon.
Canada will host 13 of the 104 matches in the international men’s soccer tournament, with seven in Vancouver and six in Toronto.
On June 12, the United States and Canada will host their opening games at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles and BMO Field in Toronto, with 7,750 extra seats added to meet FIFA’s 45,000-seat requirement.
The June 12 game in Toronto will be the first game for the Canadian men’s national team, followed by the next two games at BC Place in Vancouver.
Toronto and Vancouver will both host five group stage games. The dates for these matches are:
Toronto
Friday June 12th
Wednesday June 17th
Saturday June 20th
Tuesday, June 23rd
Friday June 26th
Vancouver
Saturday. June 13th
Thursday, June 18th
Sunday, June 21st
Wednesday June 24th
Friday June 26th
Canada will also host three finals games for the Round of 32, with two games to be played in Vancouver and Toronto on July 2 and one in Vancouver on July 7.
The 2026 World Cup final will be held on July 19th at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
In a Feb. 4 news release, the City of Toronto expressed “pride and elation in hosting this extraordinary global event,” as well as hosting a FIFA World Cup match on Canadian soil for the first time. .
Toronto said its theme of “a world within a city” showcases both its passion for soccer and its multicultural identity.
“The city’s diverse neighborhoods, united by a deep love of soccer, are eager to welcome fans from around the world,” the city said, adding that the experience “will help us grow local soccer participation through the role of He added that he will leave a “lasting legacy” in Toronto. models, better playing facilities, and improved coaching and organizational capabilities. ”
Toronto has also committed to hosting a number of fan events during the tournament.
“As Mayor of Toronto, I am thrilled that our city has been chosen to host six matches of the 26th FIFA World Cup.Toronto welcomes the world with open arms and celebrates the rich diversity of our multicultural city. and experience the dynamism,” the mayor said. Olivia Chow said in a release.
In June 2022, Toronto learned that it has been selected to host the 26th FIFA World Cup, the largest tournament to date, featuring three host countries, 16 host cities, and 48 teams. Ta.
The city has successfully hosted other FIFA events for over 40 years, including most recently the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Toronto is expected to generate approximately $393 million in gross domestic product (GDP) from the 26 World Cup matches, create more than 3,600 jobs, and welcome more than 300,000 visitors from outside the city. I am.
Ontario is also expected to benefit from more than $456 million in GDP, and Canada as a whole is expected to see more than $1.2 billion in GDP combined from the Vancouver and Toronto games.
“As we embark on the exciting journey of hosting the 26th FIFA World Cup, we are proud to work with so many valued stakeholders from across the city to host this global event,” said Sharon Bollenbach, 2026 World Cup Organizing Executive Director. “I think so,” he said.
“Together, we are committed to providing an unforgettable soccer experience for Torontonians, Ontarians, Canadians, and the thousands of soccer fans around the world who visit this great city.”
In addition to hosting a record number of teams and players, more than 5 million fans and guests are expected to experience the beautiful game in stadiums across North America.
Fans can start pre-registering for FIFA World Cup 26 ticket information online.