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As Canada prepares to co-host the FIFA World Cup 2026™, federal officials are continuing to build international partnerships aimed at ensuring the tournament leaves a lasting legacy both on and off the field.

The Honourable Adam van Koeverden, Secretary of State (Sport) and Canada’s FIFA Sherpa, took part in a series of meetings and events in New York this week ahead of World Football Day on May 25.

The engagements focused on strengthening collaboration between host nations, promoting the economic and social opportunities connected to the tournament, and reinforcing the role sport can play in diplomacy and international cooperation.

During a World Football Day event held at the United Nations, van Koeverden joined representatives from Canada’s co-host nations, Mexico and the United States, alongside officials from Morocco, Portugal and Spain, which will host the next FIFA World Cup. The gathering highlighted football’s ability to unite people across cultures and borders while encouraging dialogue, inclusion and youth engagement through sport.

Van Koeverden also participated in a trilateral discussion with Gabriela Cuevas, Mexico’s Representative to the FIFA World Cup, and Andrew Giuliani, Executive Director of the White House FIFA Task Force. The discussions centered on tournament preparedness, regional coordination and the long-term legacy of what officials described as a historic partnership between Canada, Mexico and the United States.

The Secretary of State additionally met with local organizers in New York to discuss event delivery and coordination efforts ahead of the tournament. Conversations were also held with representatives from Qatar, host of the most recent FIFA World Cup, focusing on the long-term impacts major sporting events can have on communities and international relations.

In a statement, van Koeverden said the tournament represents more than just soccer.

“The FIFA World Cup 2026 is a unique opportunity to bring people together across borders, cultures and languages. As co-host, Canada is working closely with the United States, Mexico and partners at home and abroad to support a safe, welcoming and successful tournament that showcases Canada to the world and creates lasting benefits beyond the field of play.”

The FIFA World Cup 2026 will run from June 11 to July 19, 2026, and is expected to be the largest tournament in FIFA history. The competition will feature 48 national teams playing 104 matches across 16 host cities throughout Canada, Mexico and the United States.

The tournament will also mark the first time the FIFA World Cup has been hosted jointly by three countries.

According to the federal government, Canada, Mexico and the United States continue to collaborate on shared priorities including transportation, border management and security in preparation for the global event.

Soccer remains Canada’s largest participatory sport and is also considered one of the country’s fastest-growing sports, connecting communities from grassroots leagues to the international stage.

Canada has previously hosted several major international sporting events, including the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™, the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, and the 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games.

Information for this article was sourced from the Government of Canada website.