With 100 days to go before kickoff, the City of Toronto held a community celebration reflecting Toronto’s “The World in a City” theme, outlining preparations for the six matches the city will host this summer.
Toronto will host six matches, including the first-ever men’s FIFA World Cup™ match on Canadian soil on Friday, June 12 and a round of 32 match on Thursday, July 2.
Event highlights
The free community event included live music, cultural performances and international food offerings, along with appearances and autograph sessions with former and current Toronto FC and national team players, and a live painting by Host City poster artist Dave Murray. To mark the 100-day milestone, the CN Tower and the Toronto sign are illuminated in blue and green.
FIFA Fan Festival™ Toronto
FIFA Fan Festival™ Toronto will take place at Fort York National Historic Site and The Bentway from Thursday, June 11 to Sunday, July 19, with programming scheduled across 22 event days.
The event will feature live match broadcasts, arts and cultural programming reflecting Toronto’s theme. Additional details about schedules will be shared at a later date.
Donate to the Ontario-wide Soccer for All Legacy Program
As part of its commitment to lasting community benefits beyond the tournament, the City is delivering the Soccer for All Legacy Program, an Ontario-wide initiative supporting new community mini-pitches and free soccer programming for children and youth in equity-deserving neighbourhoods.
The program helps remove barriers so more children and youth can participate in the game. Eligible donors may receive an invitation to a FIFA World Cup 2026™ match in Toronto. The campaign closes on Sunday, March 15 at 11:59 p.m. Learn more on the City's Soccer For All sweepstakes webpage.
Soccer for All Mini-Pitches
To date, more than $6 million has been raised to support new soccer mini-pitches at parks across Toronto as part of the Soccer for All Legacy Program. The first four locations are Apted Park, Amesbury Park, Grandravine Park and Scarborough Village Park, with construction expected to be completed by the end of summer 2026. Funding will also support free soccer programming for children and youth in equity-deserving neighbourhoods.
Additional information is available on the City’s Soccer for All Mini-Pitches webpage.
Legacy initiatives and community benefits
The City is investing $5 million in FIFA World Cup 2026™ legacy initiatives supporting recreation access, cultural programming, workforce development and other community benefits.
Through the Community Celebration Support Fund, the City, with support from the Toronto Arts Council, has provided $1.7 million to support 65 free community-led celebrations during the tournament in neighbourhoods across Toronto. A list of funding recipients is available on the City’s Community Celebration Support Fund Events webpage.
Toronto FC named Official Toronto World Cup™ Host City Supporter
In February, the City announced Toronto FC as its third Official Toronto World Cup 2026™ Host City Supporter. Through the Host City Supporter program, Toronto FC will support fan-facing activations, community programming and legacy initiatives while also contributing funding to host the tournament. Toronto FC joins Ontario Power Generation and Humber Polytechnic as Official Toronto FIFA World Cup 2026™ Host City Supporters.
FIFA World Cup 2026™ Toronto brand installations
Popular attractions and tourist destinations across the city – Toronto Pearson Airport, Toronto Zoo and CN Tower – are joining the excitement with 3D installations of Toronto’s Host City logo, through collaboration with Destination Toronto. The installations create perfect photo opportunities for visitors and residents alike and will be in place until after the tournament.
FIFA World Cup 2026™
FIFA World Cup 2026™ begins in Mexico City on Thursday, June 11 and concludes with the final in New York/New Jersey on Sunday, July 19. Toronto will host six matches, including the first-ever men’s FIFA World Cup™ match on Canadian soil on Friday, June 12 and a round of 32 match on Thursday, July 2. Funding approved by Toronto City Council forms part of the City’s host city budget, with support from the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.
In December 2024, FIFA released an economic impact assessment prepared by Deloitte Canada, estimating the tournament could generate up to $940 million in economic output across the Greater Toronto Area and support more than 6,600 jobs.
Quotes:
“With 100 days to go, Toronto is ready to welcome the world. The whole world will experience Toronto as the safe, affordable and caring city that it is. As millions tune in and visitors arrive from across the globe, this tournament is our opportunity to showcase the strength of our communities and the spirit that brings people together.”
– Mayor Olivia Chow
“With just 100 days to go until the FIFA World Cup 2026™, the excitement is building. This summer, Canada will both host and play to win! More than one million visitors will come and billions will be watching. We will see real economic activity right across our country, while writing a new chapter in Canada’s soccer legacy. The legacy of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ will be felt long after the final whistle, from coast to coast to coast, in the story we get to tell as a vibrant, welcoming, and innovative host country.”
— The Honourable Adam van Koeverden, Secretary of State (Sport) and Canada’s FIFA Sherpa
“The countdown is on for an unforgettable summer of sport in Ontario. Hosting the FIFA World Cup 2026™ is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to showcase our province to the world, inspire young athletes and deliver real economic and community benefits that will last well beyond the final whistle. We look forward to welcoming fans, teams and visitors from around the globe to show them why Ontario is where the world comes to compete.”
– The Honourable Neil Lumsden, Ontario Minister of Sport
Toronto is home to more than three million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As an Official Host City for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ and the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation and climate action, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit the City's website or follow us on X, Instagram or Facebook.