With the 2026 World Cup now less than a year away a special countdown clock was unveiled Wednesday in Niagara Falls.
Canada, along with the United States and Mexico will host soccer’s biggest event from June 11 to June 26 of next year.
In all, there will be 104 games, with 13 each in Canada and Mexico and the remaining 78 in the U.S.
Toronto’s BMO Field (will be called Toronto Stadium during the World Cup) home of Toronto FC and BC Place in Vancouver – home of the Whitecaps are the Canadian venues hosting games.
Port Colborne’s Peter Montopoli, Chief Operating Officer of FIFA World Cup 2026’s Canadian branch, Women’s National Team Goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo of Welland, and Ontario’s Minister of Sport Neil Lumsden, a former Brock University Athletic Director, were all on hand Wednesday in Niagara Falls
“It’s nine years so far on this project,” said Montopoli. “This marathon is now at one year out, turned into a sprint. I think that’s the part we really enjoy. For the people who love to run events, this is the part that really excites them. This is where all the magic happens in the last year.
So it’s exciting. It’s an exciting time to be running the event, it’s an exciting time for FIFA and it’s an exciting time for our country.”
Lumsden offered this when he took the podium Wednesday.
“The sound that you’re hearing is rolling thunder. That thunder is attached to the people of the 2026 World Cup and it’s going to land here in Ontario, and this thunder is just getting started,” Lumsden said. “The impact of FIFA, the World Cup, is going to be massive on so many fronts, and we’re proud to be part of it.”
The Canadian Men’s National team will be playing in its third World Cup after appearances in 1986 in Mexico and 2022 in Qatar..
Tickets will obviously be a hot commodity, that’s why FIFA has created a lottery system for the chance to purchase tickets.
For your chance on securing tickets visit: https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026/register-interest
Here’s a list of when and where Canada will host 2026 World Cup games.
Friday, June 12 — Toronto Stadium (BMO Field), Canada FC playing
Saturday, June 13 — BC Place Vancouver
Wednesday, June 17 — Toronto Stadium
Thursday, June 18 — BC Place Vancouver, Canada FC
Saturday, June 20 — Toronto Stadium
Sunday, June 21 — BC Place Vancouver
Tuesday, June 23 — Toronto Stadium
Wednesday, June 24 — BC Place Vancouver, Canada FC
Friday, June 26 — Toronto Stadium
Thursday, July 2 — Toronto Stadium
No fewer than 48 teams will battle for soccer’s biggest prize in 2026.
Visit https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026 for more information.
Rod Mawhood is a lifelong Niagara native who has had the pleasure of working in all three mediums – Radio, Print and TV – for over 20 years. His first announcing gig was with the then St. Catharines Stompers. Since then he’s worked in radio and TV in Toronto, and currently is the announcer for the Niagara IceDogs and Niagara River Lions.
Rod also covers the Buffalo Bills for FOX Sports and the Buffalo Sabres for NBC Sports.
