(AGENPARL) – Thu 12 June 2025 City of Toronto Media Relations has issued the following:
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News Release
June 12, 2025
Toronto marks one year to FIFA World Cup 26™ with Soccer Day celebration at Nathan Phillips Square
Today, the City of Toronto celebrated a major milestone on the road to FIFA World Cup 26™ by hosting Soccer Day in Toronto: One Year to Kick-off for Canada’s Men’s National Team at Nathan Phillips Square.
The public event marked exactly one year until Toronto hosts its first FIFA World Cup™ match and featured the unveiling of the official FIFA World Cup 26™ Toronto Countdown Clock, now installed on the square through to the end of the tournament next year. To mark the occasion, Mayor Olivia Chow proclaimed June 12 as the first-ever Soccer Day in Toronto.
Residents, visitors and members of the soccer community gathered in the heart of the city to celebrate the countdown and Toronto’s role as a Host City. The celebration featured live music, soccer demonstrations, food trucks, giveaways and more. Torontonians wore their favourite soccer jersey, or red and white clothing for Canada and showed their soccer spirit.
Mayor Olivia Chow was joined by Chief Claire Sault of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, Adam van Koeverden, Secretary of State for Sport, Peter Montopoli, Chief Tournament Officer, FIFA 2026 Canada, Knowledge Keeper Daniel Secord and youth soccer participants from across the city to mark the one-year countdown.
During the event, Mayor Chow spoke about the City’s preparations for the FIFA World Cup 26™ and announced the development of new mini pitches across Toronto as part of the Soccer for All Legacy Program, a long-term initiative to build a more inclusive and equitable city through sport. The FIFA World Cup™ provides a unique opportunity to expand access, build community capacity and create opportunities for every young person to reach their full potential through investments in:
– Safe, local play spaces in equity-deserving neighbourhoods
– Free programming that develops players, leaders and coaches
– Pathways to training and employment in sport
– The revitalization of Centennial Park, a welcoming public space for youth, families and residents to gather and connect
This moment is the beginning of a legacy rooted in access, equity and opportunity, creating strong communities where every young person can play, grow and thrive. Locations for the mini pitches will be announced later. To date, the City has raised $2 million through private donations.
FIFA World Cup 26™
The tournament begins in Mexico City on Thursday, June 11, 2026 and concludes with the final match in New York/New Jersey on Sunday, July 19, 2026. Toronto will host six matches during the FIFA World Cup 2026™, beginning with the first-ever men’s FIFA World Cup™ match on Canadian soil on Friday, June 12, 2026 and a round of 32 match on Thursday, July 2, 2026. Funding and services provided by the Government of Canada and Province of Ontario will contribute to enhancing the necessary infrastructure and logistics in delivering Toronto’s matches and ancillary events for the FIFA World Cup 2026™.
In December 2024, FIFA released an economic impact assessment, prepared by Deloitte Canada, estimating that FIFA World Cup 26™ could generate up to $940 million in positive economic output for the Greater Toronto Area. This includes a projected $520 million in GDP growth, $340 million in labour income and $25 million in government revenue. The tournament is also expected to create more than 6,600 jobs between June 2023 and August 2026, providing a substantial boost to the region’s economy.
Pre-registration for FIFA World Cup 26™ ticket information is available through FIFA’s official ticketing platform: http://www.FIFA.com/tickets.
Fans can also get involved by registering their interest to volunteer for the FIFA World Cup 26™ in Toronto at https://volunteer.fifa.com/register and be the first to know when volunteer applications open in August.
Quotes:
“Today’s celebration and countdown clock unveiling capture the spirit of Toronto, a city that is diverse, passionate and united through sport. As we mark Soccer Day in Toronto and count down to the FIFA World Cup 26™, we’re proud to showcase our vibrant city to the world. Soccer connects people and when you see the jerseys worn by residents from every corner of the globe, it’s clear that Toronto truly is the world in one city. We’re ready to welcome the world and ensure this tournament leaves a lasting legacy for our communities.”
— Mayor Olivia Chow
“With just one year to go until the FIFA World Cup 26™, the excitement is building and Canada is ready. Hosting this tournament is about more than the game; it’s a chance to show the world who we are: inclusive, ambitious, hard-working and proud. Our government’s support is helping bring this global event to life in Toronto and Vancouver, and we hope it inspires young people across the country to dream big and believe in what’s possible.”
—The Honourable Adam van Koeverden, Secretary of State (Sport)
“Sport tourism is a major economic driver for Ontario communities, and as we count down to the start of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ games in Toronto, we are excited to showcase why Ontario is a premier destination for world-class sporting events. Our government is proud to be a partner in delivering this unforgettable event that will create jobs, boost the economy, and celebrate the unifying power of sport.”
— Neil Lumsden, Ontario Minister of Sport
“Every team that will compete in FIFA World Cup 26™ will be a home team in Toronto, a reflection of the city’s incredible diversity. Soccer Day is about more than celebrating the beautiful game or counting down to the biggest sporting moment in our nation’s history. It’s a chance for Torontonians to proudly wear their heritage on their sleeves, with a maple leaf over their hearts.”
— Peter Montopoli, Chief Tournament Officer, FIFA World Cup 2026 (Canada)
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 the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture, 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 http://www.toronto.ca or follow us on X at http://www.x.com/cityoftoronto, on Instagram at http://www.instagram.com/cityofto or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/cityofto.
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Communiqué de presse
Le 12 juin 2025
Toronto souligne le compte à rebours d’un an avant la Coupe du Monde de la FIFA 2026™ avec une célébration de la Journée du soccer au Nathan Phillips Square
Aujourd’hui, la Ville de Toronto a célébré une étape importante en vue de la Coupe du Monde de la FIFA 2026™ en organisant la Journée du soccer à Toronto : Un an avant le coup d’envoi pour l’équipe nationale masculine du Canada au Nathan Phillips Square.
Cet événement public marquait exactement un an avant que Toronto n’accueille son premier match de la Coupe du Monde de la FIFA™ et a été l’occasion de dévoiler l’horloge officielle du compte à rebours de la Coupe du Monde de la FIFA 2026™ de Toronto, désormais installée sur la place jusqu’à la fin du tournoi l’année prochaine. Pour marquer l’occasion, la mairesse Olivia Chow a proclamé le 12 juin comme la toute première Journée du soccer à Toronto.