This summer, Toronto will become a World Cup city. Six matches at BMO Field (FIFA is calling it Toronto Stadium for the tournament) from June 12 to July 2. Canada’s first-ever home World Cup match. An opening ceremony. A full month of soccer that’s going to run through every neighbourhood in this city, whether you’re near the stadium or not.
If you haven’t been paying close attention, here’s what you need to know to actually enjoy it.
TL;DR: Toronto hosts six World Cup matches from June 12 to July 2. Canada plays their first ever home match on June 12, which is also the city’s opening ceremony for the tournament. There’s a mostly free fan festival at Fort York running the full month. You don’t need a ticket to feel this. For a full guide to attending with your family: FIFA World Cup 2026 Toronto: A Guide for Families.
What is the World Cup, Exactly
The World Cup is the biggest sporting event on the planet. 48 countries. One trophy. It runs from June 11 to July 19 across the US, Canada, and Mexico, and Toronto is one of 16 host cities. It happens every four years. This is the first time it’s been in North America since 1994, and the first time Canada has ever hosted it.
104 total matches. Billions of viewers. The final is at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19. Toronto gets six of those matches, including Canada’s opening game.
The Matches Happening in Toronto
All six are at Toronto Stadium, and here’s the schedule:
- June 12 — Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina, 3pm ET
- June 17 — Ghana vs. Panama, 7pm ET
- June 20 — Germany vs. Côte d’Ivoire, 4pm ET
- June 23 — Panama vs. Croatia, 7pm ET
- June 26 — Senegal vs. Iraq, 3pm ET
- July 2 — Round of 32 knockout match, 7pm ET
June 12 is the one. Canada’s first-ever men’s World Cup match on home soil. It’s also one of three opening ceremonies FIFA is holding across North America. Toronto, Mexico City, and Los Angeles each get one. Think 30 to 45 minutes before kickoff, not an Olympic production. The city is going to be completely unhinged, in the best possible way.
Who’s Actually Going to Win this Thing?
I’ve been cheering for England my whole life because Canada is not usually in this tournament. This summer is different. I’ll still watch England with the same optimism I always have, and it’ll probably end the same way. Heartache. But for once, there’s a real reason to care about Canada too.
The FanDuel sportsbook has Spain and France at the top as of early May. Odds move, but here’s the rough order if you want to sound informed at a pub:
Spain (+430): Reigning European champions. Best squad on paper. Opened as the favourite in December and hasn’t moved.
France (+470): Right behind Spain. Arguably, the most dangerous team in the tournament when switched on.
England (+650): Third in the odds, which means England fans will spend six weeks convincing themselves it’s finally coming home before something goes sideways in the quarters. Tradition.
Brazil (+750): Always in the conversation. Not their best generation, but still Brazil.
Argentina (+850): Defending champions. Ranked second in the world. And Messi is still on the roster at 38.
Germany, Portugal, and the Netherlands are in the next tier. Canada is at 200-to-1, which is honestly respectful by Canadian sporting standards.
The Players Worth Knowing
You don’t need to know every squad. Just these names:
Kylian Mbappé (France): The best player in the world right now. 26 years old and five goals away from breaking the all-time World Cup scoring record. If France goes deep, he’s the reason.
Lamine Yamal (Spain): 18 years old and Spain’s best player. Born after the 2006 World Cup. Had a minor injury scare in April but expected to be healthy. Watch him.
Lionel Messi (Argentina): Almost certainly his last World Cup. He won the last one. Whether you care about soccer or not, you’re watching someone finish one of the greatest careers in sports history in real time.
Alphonso Davies (Canada): The one Canadian you need to know. Left back for Bayern Munich, probably the fastest player in the tournament. The reason June 12 is going to feel like the Raptors’ championship run, but louder.
Hopefully, he is better in time.
Jonathan David (Canada): Scored 37 goals for Lille last season. Criminally underrated outside of Canada. If Canada scores in this tournament, there’s a good chance it’s him.
Can Canada Actually do Anything?
They’re in Group B with Switzerland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Qatar. Switzerland is the slight favourite to win the group. Canada is second in the odds. Bosnia beat Italy in a playoff to get here. Qatar is what Qatar is.
It’s a winnable group. Getting out of it would be the biggest moment in Canadian men’s soccer history. Getting past the Round of 32 would be surreal. Anything beyond that and we’re all watching from a patio somewhere, screaming at a screen, pretending we knew this was coming.
The Fan Festival
The official FIFA Fan Festival runs at Fort York and The Bentway from June 11 to July 19. All 104 matches on big screens. Food, live music, the whole thing.
On admission: the city initially planned to charge $10 to get in and reversed it after pushback. It’s now mostly free general admission. There are some paid options for certain events, but you can watch every match for free.
This is where most people in this city are going to experience the World Cup, and there’s nothing second-class about it. The Raptors championship parade in 2019 was one of the best things I’ve done in this city with my kids. Nobody needed a ticket. It was just a massive crowd of people who wanted to be somewhere together, and the energy was unlike anything else.
The fan fest is that, but with shade structures and a schedule. If you’re going once, pick a match day.
What the City is Going to Feel Like
Beyond the stadium and the fan fest, the city itself becomes part of the event. Little Italy and Little Portugal are going to be completely different neighbourhoods on match days. Café Diplomatico on College Street already earns the nickname “soccer central” in a normal year, and this won’t be a normal year. Greektown, Kensington, Corso Italia: these are neighbourhoods that already treat every World Cup like a civic holiday, and this summer they’re going to go sideways in the best possible way.
There are flags, watch parties, and packed patios happening across the whole city for a full month. You don’t have to go near the stadium to feel it.
For the best bars and neighbourhoods to watch from, that’s in the where to watch guide.
Getting There
Toronto Stadium is not on the subway. On match days, Lake Shore Boulevard West is fully closed. The streets around Liberty Village and Fort York are restricted. Driving is not your plan.
The TTC is adding extra service on the 504 King and 511 Bathurst streetcars and on the Dufferin bus. It will still be packed. GO Transit’s Lakeshore West line drops you at Exhibition Station, right at the venue. That’s your best bet if you’re coming from further east or from the Mississauga side.
If you’re within walking distance, walk.
If You Have Tickets
Primary tickets are gone. In Ontario, provincial legislation caps resale at face value, which pushed FIFA’s own resale platform out of the Toronto market. You’ll find seats on StubHub and similar. For Canada’s June 12 opener, expect $1,500 a seat as a starting point, more for anything decent. Other group stage games are cheaper, but for a family of four, the math gets uncomfortable fast.
We looked at it. We’re not going to the matches. The fan fest and the neighbourhoods are our plan.
Kids don’t get a discount. FIFA charges the full adult price for every seat. Children under 2 on a lap don’t need one, but everyone else pays full price.
No re-entry. Once you’re in, you’re in. Plan accordingly, especially with younger kids.
Bag policy is strict. One clear bag, maximum 12 by 6 by 12 inches. Diaper bags count toward this limit and must also be clear.
For everything you need to know about attending with a family: FIFA World Cup 2026 Toronto: A Guide for Families.
Making a Day of it With Kids
Matches run about two hours of play plus stoppage time and halftime, closer to three hours total in a venue with 45,000 people. Kids who are genuinely into soccer will be fine. Kids who are done after the first goal are a different calculation.
Eat before you get there. Food is expensive, and lines are long.
Have an exit plan. The no re-entry rule means once you commit, you’re committed. Knowing you can leave makes the whole day less stressful.
Dress for June in Toronto. Hot and humid is the most likely outcome, but this city will give you a thunderstorm on a Tuesday with about 20 minutes’ notice. Layers, sunscreen, water.
The Short Version
This is a once-in-a-generation event for this city. You don’t have to love soccer to feel it. Take the kids down to the neighbourhood on a match day and let them experience it. You don’t need tickets or a budget or even a plan. You just need to show up.
FAQ
When are the FIFA World Cup matches in Toronto? Six matches at Toronto Stadium: June 12, June 17, June 20, June 23, June 26, and July 2. Canada plays on June 12 at 3pm ET.
Is the FIFA Fan Festival in Toronto free? Mostly yes. The city reversed a plan to charge $10 after pushback. General admission to watch matches is free. Some paid events exist separately.
Do you need tickets to enjoy the World Cup in Toronto? No. The fan festival at Fort York and The Bentway screens all 104 matches for free. The neighbourhoods are worth visiting on any match day.
Where is the FIFA Fan Festival in Toronto? Fort York National Historic Site and The Bentway, west side of downtown. Accessible by TTC.
Can Canada get out of their group? They’re in Group B with Switzerland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Qatar. Switzerland are slight favourites. Canada is second in the odds. It’s winnable.
How can I watch the World Cup on TV in Canada? TSN and CTV have the Canadian broadcast rights. TSN covers most matches, with select games on CTV for free. You can also stream on TSN+ and the CTV app.
