It’s cheering news for every follower of soccer in the city of Toronto. Want to know why? The city has been picked as one of the locations where the FIFA World Cup matches in 2026 will be staged. Canada will host this big event, joining the U.S. and Mexico.

Toronto is set to become one of just two Canadian cities welcoming millions of fans from around the world. Vancouver is the other city in the nation sharing the honors with Toronto.

Overall, six games will take place in the city. One of them will forever be in the history books — the first-ever home World Cup game that the men’s national football team of Canada will play. No doubt, the FIFA World Cup 26 will beat any sporting event that has even been held in the city.

Wondering what to expect in Canada? This article shows how Toronto is preparing and how to get the most out of the tournament.

How Canada is Preparing for the Event

The World Cup will showcase everything about Toronto to the global audience. As it prepares, there are major changes already happening across the city.

Stadium Upgrades and Infrastructure

BMO Field (called "Toronto Stadium" during the tournament) is getting huge upgrades:

Seats will increase from 30,000 to 45,000
Better lights and world-class media equipment
Improved locker rooms, training facilities and player areas
More accessible facilities for all fans

The money behind these changes is pretty huge. The federal government is putting in $104 million, Ontario is adding $97 million, and the City of Toronto is investing $90 million. That's nearly $300 million total. These improvements will benefit Toronto FC and local sports for years after the tournament ends.

Work on BMO Field began in early 2024 and continues through 2025. The renovations meet FIFA's strict requirements. The contributions of the provincial and federal governments will create a lasting legacy for Toronto's soccer community.

Economic and Cultural Impact

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to bring significant government revenue and economic gain:

About 380 million dollars in positive economic activity to Toronto
Thousands of jobs
More than 300,000 visitors during the tournament
More local participation in soccer afterwards

Mayor Olivia Chow summed up the city’s excitement, saying: “The FIFA World Cup 2026™ is more than just a tournament — it’s a chance for our city to come together, celebrate our diversity, and share our passion for the game with the world.”

Toronto's preparations also include better public transit, increased security, and citywide beautification. As it looks, everything should run smoothly during the matches.

Local businesses are already planning for the visitors. Hotels across the city are updating facilities and restaurants are creating special FIFA World Cup menus. Tour companies are also designing experiences around the world's favorite game.

World Cup 2026 in Toronto: Match Schedule

Toronto will host six matches at BMO Field. Here’s what should know:

June 12, 2026: Group Stage (Canada’s opening match)
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

The entire 2026 tournament kicks off June 11 in Mexico City, with the final on July 19 in New Jersey.

Toronto's opening match featuring Canada's team will be historic. The Canadian men's team hasn't played a World Cup match on home soil before. The atmosphere at Toronto Stadium that day will be electric.

Some Quick Facts

Toronto gets six out of 104 total matches in the expanded format
The city expects 300,000 visitors during the tournament

Ticket Information

Tickets for FIFA World Cup 2026 will be in high demand. Here's how to get tickets.

Sign up for updates on FIFA's official ticket site
Be ready when ticket sales open in phases (dates not announced yet)

FIFA hasn't released prices or exact sale dates for Toronto matches. However, fans can pre-register for ticket information here. Also, fans can register for hospitality package information here.

For the latest info, always check the City of Toronto's FIFA World Cup 26™ page and FIFA's official website.

Tips for Fans

Register early to receive updates
Only buy from FIFA or authorized partners
Consider hospitality packages for a premium experience
Book accommodation as soon as match dates are confirmed
Plan to arrive early on match days

Fans who want to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup in their travel plans should prepare early. Accommodation will fill up quickly at every location across the city.

The FIFA Fan Festival Toronto

From June 11 to July 19, 2026, Fort York National Historic Site and The Bentway will host the free FIFA Fan Festival™. Everyone's welcome at this citywide celebration.

What to Expect

At the festival, fans can expect:

Big screens showing live FIFA World Cup matches
Music and cultural performances
Family activities and soccer games
Food showcasing Toronto's culinary scene

The festival will show Toronto’s reputation to lots of people. It's a perfect chance to celebrate the city’s multiple cultures and love for the beautiful game. Look out for the official Host City poster, designed by Toronto illustrator Dave Murray.

Toronto's sonic ID will also be playing at the festival. It's created by Juno-winning producer Hill Kourkoutis and nods to the city and its music scene.

2026 FIFA World Cup Betting Tips: Insights from MightyTips

A lot of soccer fans enjoy adding excitement to competitions through betting. The competition will be watched in many countries globally, with Asian nations like the Philippines also not left out.

For those who want to wager on the matches from the Philippines, MightyTips offers expert advice and reviews of the top 10 betting sites Philippines that you can use. The review platform has detailed guides and responsible gambling tips. As a fan, this should help you make smart choices.

Popular Betting Markets

If you're new to betting on soccer, don't worry. Here are markets that our betting expert, Evelyn Balyton recommends you know about before the World Cup:

Match winner (1X2): Bet on which team will win or if the match ends in a draw.
Total goals (over/under): Wager on how many goals will be scored in a match.
Outright winner: Predict which nation lifts the trophy.

Remember Canada is playing at home for the first time. There could be unique betting markets focused on the host nation's performance.

Always use reputable sites that follow local laws when betting on the 2026 FIFA World Cup. For fans visiting Toronto, learn about local gambling regulations. Ontario has legal online sports betting, but regulations vary across Canada and internationally. As a visitor, doing some research about the rules wouldn't hurt.

Conclusion

Toronto and Vancouver look ready to make Canada proud at the FIFA 2026 World Cup. In Toronto, the BMO field is set to fly the red maple leaf flag with pride. We've seen major investments in stadium upgrades, infrastructure, and fan experiences. So far in 2025, Canada's largest city looks set for the global stage ahead of June 2026.

According to the Chief Tournament Officer, Peter Montopoli, “Toronto — the world in a city — embodies the incredible diversity that reflects Canada’s cultural mosaic. We hope Torontonians take pride in their Host City poster as a symbol of our collective love for the beautiful game.”

The article was provided by Evelyn Balyton

World Cup 2026 in Toronto: How Canada is Preparing to Host the World