Toronto is preparing to welcome the world as it hosts six matches during the FIFA World Cup 2026, marking a historic moment for Canadian soccer and the city’s growing reputation as an international sports destination.
Canada will host a total of 13 World Cup matches, with six taking place in Toronto and seven in Vancouver. The games in Toronto are expected to attract tens of thousands of fans from around the globe while generating significant economic activity, tourism, and international attention for the city.
The action begins on June 12 when Canada takes on Bosnia and Herzegovina in the first FIFA World Cup match ever played on Canadian soil. A capacity crowd of more than 45,000 spectators is expected at Toronto Stadium, the tournament name for BMO Field, which has undergone temporary expansion to accommodate the global event.
The Canadian men’s national team enters the tournament ranked 30th in the world and will be looking to secure its first-ever World Cup victory. Canada previously participated in the World Cup in 1986 and again in 2022 but has yet to record a win on soccer’s biggest stage. While Canadian fans will be eager to see star player Alphonso Davies in action, the Bayern Munich defender is expected to miss the opener as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury.
Bosnia and Herzegovina arrives in Toronto after a dramatic qualification campaign that included an upset victory over Italy. Ranked 65th in the world, the European side will be making only its second World Cup appearance.
Toronto’s second match takes place on June 17 when Ghana faces Panama. Panama enters the tournament as the highest-ranked nation from Central America and will establish its training base in Ontario ahead of the competition. Ghana, meanwhile, will be without influential midfielder Mohammed Kudus due to injury but will rely on experienced players Thomas Partey and Antoine Semenyo to lead the team.
One of the tournament’s marquee attractions arrives on June 20 when four-time world champions Germany take on Ivory Coast. Germany remains one of international soccer’s most recognizable powers and is expected to draw a large following to Toronto. Veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who recently returned from international retirement, is expected to feature for the German side. Ivory Coast will be making its first World Cup appearance in more than a decade and hopes to make a strong impression against one of the sport’s traditional giants.
On June 23, Panama returns to Toronto Stadium to face Croatia in what promises to be one of the most vibrant atmospheres of the tournament. Ontario is home to a large Croatian community, and supporters wearing the country’s iconic red-and-white checkered jerseys are expected to create a home-like environment for the European nation. Croatia, ranked 11th in the world and led by veterans Luka Modric and Ivan Perisic, continues to be one of the strongest teams in international football.
The final group-stage match in Toronto takes place on June 26 when Senegal meets Iraq. Depending on earlier results, the contest could prove decisive in determining which teams advance to the knockout stage. Senegal enters the tournament as one of Africa’s strongest representatives and is expected to challenge for advancement from a group that also includes France and Norway. Under FIFA’s expanded 48-team format, third-place teams also have a pathway to the next round, increasing the significance of every match.
Toronto’s World Cup schedule concludes on July 2 with a Round-of-32 knockout match. The participating teams will be determined by the final standings in Groups K and L. Soccer powers such as Portugal, England, Croatia, and Colombia are among the nations that could potentially appear in the city’s only knockout-stage fixture.
The six matches are expected to leave a lasting legacy for soccer in Canada, inspiring future generations of players while showcasing Toronto to a worldwide audience. With passionate fans, world-class athletes, and some of the sport’s biggest nations set to compete, Toronto’s role in FIFA World Cup 2026 promises to be one of the highlights of the tournament.