How is Toronto preparing to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

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How is Toronto preparing to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

January 22, 2025
5:21 am

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Last Updated On 22 January 2025, 4:59 AM EST (Toronto Time)

Unlike the 2024 or 2025 FIFA World Cup, the 2026 FIFA World Cup will see three host countries for the first time: Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

It is the 23rd edition of the tournament hosted by 16 cities, and the majority of the FIFA World Cup matches will be held in the United States and Mexico.

In Canada, the host cities are Toronto and Vancouver. This event will mark city’s first time hosting such an event.

However, being nominated to host matches during the 2026 World Cup is one thing, but the cost Toronto will spend to host these six matches is a major concern.

Join Kate Richardson in this post as we unpack titbits into what Toronto is doing in preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

As popular footballer Diego Maradona once said, “When people succeed, it is because of hard work; luck has nothing to do with success.”

Similarly, for the city to successfully co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup it requires hard work on their side.

Hosting an event of such magnitude has put Toronto on the world stage, with millions of fans locally and billions worldwide in anticipation, which will increase their income from gross domestic products.

Aside from the significant economic benefits the games scheduled in Toronto will bring, there are also social and cultural benefits for the city: fans in Canada will be able to bet on their favorite 2026 FIFA matches, generating revenue and fueling another dose of adrenaline.

One of the best bookmakers for this is 22Bet Canada, a review of which is kindly provided by the MightyTips brand.

Also, expectations are that this tournament will drive local participation in soccer through role modelling, enhance players’ facilities, and improve coaching.

Official Match Schedule

The FIFA 2026 tournament will see 48 teams from 6 federations compete for the cup in 16 host cities.

It will last for 39 days and comprise a total of 106 matches. Based on the tournament’s schedule, Toronto will host six games, which will be held on June 12, 2026.

Prior to that, the city will also host a round of 32 matches on July 2, 2026, adding to its exhilaration and pride of hosting the FIFA 26 World Cup games.

The matches Toronto is set to host include five group stage games. The timeline for these matches is as follows:

June 12, 2026 – Group Stage and the Canadian Men’s National Team opener
June 17, 2026 – Group Stage
June 20, 2026 – Group Stage
June 23, 2026 – Group Stage
June 26, 2026 – Group Stage
July 2, 2026 – Round of 32

Ticket Information

If you would like to get tickets to be in the city of Toronto to watch the World Cup live, you’re not alone, but you will have to wait.

Currently, there is little information about the ticket, such as price. However, fans can pre-register at FIFA. Similarly, fans can pre-register for the hospitality package information on FIFA.

A new report from the United World Cup bid book suggests that the tickets will likely be on sale in 2025.

Where the Action Is

With Toronto to host matches for the FIFA World Cup 26, the action is going to span three countries: Canada will host for the first time, the U.S. will host for the second time, and Mexico will become the first to host the tournament three times. You can as well catch in on the action online at 22Bet Canada, where you can watch live streams and wager on your favorite matches.

The majority of the matches will take place in North America across 11 cities. The opening match for the tournament will be hosted at the Estadio Azteca Stadium, Mexico, on June 11, 2026.

In contrast, Toronto and Vancouver will each host five opening-round matches, with the first match at BMO Field.

The opening games for the U.S. will take place on the same day but in SoFI Stadium in Inglewood. The grand finale will rile up in New Jersey at MetLife Stadium on July 19, 2026.

According to Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, it is estimated the city will spend over 380 million dollars to host the FIFA World Cup 26. The city reports that this budget will encompass operation, security, and necessary capital improvement.

In an interview, City Budget Chief Shelley Carroll infers that spending over 300 million dollars on a soccer tournament is a significant investment even for Toronto, but the positive economic and cultural benefits are substantial.

However, a good portion of the funds, to the tune of $104.34 million, are covered by contributions from provincial and federal governments. Also, Mayor Olivia Chow said Ontario has conditionally committed to giving the city over 97 million dollars in support to host the event.

In preparation for hosting six World Cup matches, there are 50 plus city of Toronto staff at the FIFA Toronto Office handling various aspects of planning for the event. The office is working in conjunction with FIFA offices in Canada and Mexico to ensure a smooth event.

The staff at the office work on everything from venue and stadium operation and security and safety to legal, commercial finance, and government relations. Peter Montopoli, chief tournament officer for the Canadian end, says the staff number will soon reach 20, with another 700 involved during the event itself.

Despite the promises of job and economic growth associated with hosting duties, Toronto faces significant challenges as it plans to host the event.

Cost overrun remains a major red flag to city staff as some major capital expenses, like the stadium upgrade to include better training facilities and to increase the number of seats in the stadium, may exceed the initial estimate.

However, to ensure this World Cup hosting doesn’t lead to a cash-strapped city, measures such as reallocating savings and collaborating with FIFA and vendors are helping to mitigate pressures.