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The Liberal government led by Prime Minister Mark Carney is highlighting Canada’s role in co-hosting the FIFA World Cup 2026, celebrating the successful staging of 13 of the tournament’s 104 matches and outlining plans to build on the event’s legacy.
Prime Minister Carney and Secretary of State for Sport Adam van Koeverden praised Canada’s performance as a host nation in separate statements and social media posts, commending the national team, volunteers, organizers, and fans for what they described as a landmark moment for Canadian soccer.
Van Koeverden, a four-time Olympic kayaking medalist, declared that “Canada is a soccer nation,” while Carney announced plans to establish a national soccer training center as part of the tournament’s long-term legacy.
In a statement marking the conclusion of the tournament, van Koeverden said the World Cup represented a defining moment for Canada and reflected the country’s ability to deliver a global sporting event in partnership with Mexico and the United States.
“As the FIFA World Cup 2026 comes to a close, it is an opportunity to reflect on the tournament’s success and recognize that this achievement belongs to every Canadian,” he said.
He described the tri-nation tournament as the largest and most ambitious FIFA World Cup in history and said Canada’s collaboration with its North American partners demonstrated the value of international cooperation.
“As Canada’s FIFA Sherpa, I was proud to work with my counterparts to advance diplomacy and pursue a shared goal. Our three nations demonstrated what can be achieved when we work together,” he said.
Van Koeverden said Canada hosted 13 matches and welcomed visitors with “a spirit and openness that was quintessentially Canadian.” He credited organizers, volunteers, and fans with making the tournament a success and said the event reinforced Toronto and Vancouver’s standing as premier international sports destinations.
The minister said the federal government expanded World Cup participation beyond the host cities through initiatives with Canada Soccer that enabled approximately 5,000 young players and their families to attend men’s national team exhibition matches. He added that nearly 400 events were held across every province and territory, including a free public watch party in Ottawa attended by about 20,000 fans during Canada’s historic Round of 16 match.
According to van Koeverden, the celebrations extended to communities across the country, including rural, remote, and Indigenous communities, while restaurants, hotels, FIFA Fan Festival sites, bars, and community venues also benefited from increased tourism and economic activity.
He said federal funding supported tournament security, essential services, and host city operations, while investments in stadium accessibility, seating capacity, and audiovisual infrastructure in Toronto and Vancouver would leave a lasting legacy for future international sporting events.
Van Koeverden also highlighted the government’s commitment to developing soccer at the grassroots level.
“We are investing in the future of soccer by building up to 25 new community pitches across the country, helping more kids play the game and progress from the playground to the podium,” he said.
The minister said the tournament also created opportunities to strengthen international relationships through sports diplomacy. During the FIFA Congress in Vancouver and throughout the tournament, he met with officials from Indonesia, Morocco, New Zealand, Germany, and Côte d’Ivoire to discuss expanding cooperation and advancing shared sporting priorities.
He thanked the participating nations that competed in Canada, saying their sportsmanship and passion helped make the tournament memorable for Canadian fans.
Van Koeverden also praised Canada’s men’s national team for what he described as a historic campaign.
“The true story of Canadian strength, identity, and pride lies with Canada’s Men’s National Team, whose record-breaking determination inspired the country,” he said.
He highlighted Jonathan David as Canada’s leading scorer, noted Cyle Larin’s historic first FIFA World Cup goal on home soil for the Canadian men’s team, and commended Ismaël Koné and head coach Jesse Marsch for helping write “a defining chapter for sport in Canada.”
The minister also recalled the symbolic presentation of a Canadian flag that flew atop Parliament Hill’s Peace Tower on the day of Canada’s opening match before accompanying the team to Los Angeles.
“The 11 points on the maple leaf represented the 11 players on the field and a country united behind them. There is no question: Canada is a soccer nation,” he said.
Looking ahead, van Koeverden said the World Cup’s legacy would continue through the federal government’s C$755 million investment in Canadian sports, which he said is intended to support future generations of athletes.
“This tournament created memories that will remain part of our national story and showed what Canada can achieve when we take on ambitious projects. The legacy of the men’s FIFA World Cup is one that we will continue to build,” he said, adding that Canadians now look forward to supporting the women’s national team at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027.
