World Cup
FIFA Unveils Nationwide ‘Canada Celebrates’ Tour for 2026 World Cup
World football governing body FIFA has unveiled an ambitious nationwide fan engagement programme—Canada Celebrates—as part of activities for the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The initiative, described as the first of its kind, will take the excitement of the World Cup beyond the official host cities of Toronto and Vancouver, reaching communities across the country from coast to coast to coast.
According to FIFA, the programme will feature 38 stops across 34 communities, strategically located within a two-hour drive for more than 75 per cent of Canada’s population.
Football Festival Across the Nation
Running from June 11 to July 19, 2026—coinciding with the World Cup itself—Canada Celebrates will transform cities into vibrant fan zones, offering live match screenings, football-themed activities, music, food festivals and cultural showcases.
Pre-tournament activations are scheduled for June 1 and June 5, alongside selected stops of the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola, further building momentum ahead of kickoff.
From Whitehorse in the Yukon to Halifax in Nova Scotia, and from Kamloops in British Columbia to Niagara Falls in Ontario, the programme aims to ensure that fans nationwide can partake in what FIFA describes as “a shared national celebration.”
Strong Backing from Government and Partners
The initiative is being delivered with support from the Canadian government, municipalities and key stakeholders, including FIFA’s commercial partners such as Coca-Cola, Kia, Michelob Ultra, Hisense, McDonald’s and The Home Depot, alongside media partner Bell Media.
FIFA Vice-President Vittorio Montagliani said the project would leave a lasting legacy.
“As a Canadian, it’s incredibly meaningful to bring a taste of the FIFA World Cup to communities across the country. Beyond hosting matches in Toronto and Vancouver, this tournament will inspire the next generation and grow the game for years to come,” he said.
Canada’s Secretary of State for Sport, Adam van Koeverden, echoed that sentiment, describing the tour as a unifying force.
“Sport has the power to bring people together, and this initiative will help Canadians feel part of this historic moment,” he noted.
Trophy Tour Adds Extra Buzz
Ahead of the main tournament, Canada Celebrates will also be integrated into the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola, giving fans the rare opportunity to see the iconic trophy up close in seven major cities, including Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal and Toronto.
A World Cup Like Never Before
The 2026 FIFA World Cup—co-hosted by Canada, the United States and Mexico—will be the largest in history, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches across 16 cities in North America.
While Canada will stage matches in Toronto and Vancouver, FIFA’s latest initiative ensures that the tournament’s impact extends far beyond stadiums, embedding the World Cup experience in communities nationwide.
With fan engagement, cultural celebration and grassroots connection at its core, Canada Celebrates is poised to transform the World Cup into a truly national—and continental—festival.
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Nine people sustained non-life-threatening injuries in a shooting near England’s World Cup base camp in Kansas City, Missouri, on Saturday, days before the tournament is due to kick off.
Kansas City police said there were no suspects in custody and that at least three of the shooting victims were transported to local hospitals.
The incident occurred roughly four miles from where England are set to train at Swope Soccer Village. England have not arrived in Kansas City and are due to play a friendly against Costa Rica in Orlando, Florida, on Wednesday.
A spokesperson for the FA declined to comment.
Gun violence is common in the United States, where there were more than 400 mass shootings in 2025, according to the Gun Violence Archive.
-Reuters
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Morocco concluded their preparations for the FIFA World Cup with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Norway in an international friendly on Sunday, showing flashes of attacking quality before being forced to withstand late pressure from the Europeans.
The Atlas Lions made a bright start and took the lead after just seven minutes through star forward Brahim Diaz. The Real Madrid attacker capitalised on space outside the penalty area to unleash a powerful strike that gave Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland no chance.
The goal marked Diaz’s first for Morocco since the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year, where he finished as the tournament’s top scorer despite the disappointment of missing a penalty in the final.
Morocco looked the more dangerous side in the opening stages and nearly doubled their advantage midway through the first half. Abdessamad Ezzalzouli connected with a teasing cross from Diaz but sent his volley narrowly off target.
The North Africans continued to threaten after the break. Diaz again tested the Norwegian defence in the 57th minute, forcing Nyland into a save before midfielder Neil El Aynaoui headed the rebound over the crossbar.
While Morocco controlled large portions of the contest, Norway gradually grew into the game and mounted sustained pressure in the closing stages. Their persistence paid off 15 minutes from then when captain Martin Odegaard finished neatly with his left foot after a clever run and assist from Oscar Bobb.
Norway almost snatched victory late on, but Kristian Thorstvedt’s header from Julian Ryerson’s free-kick drifted narrowly wide, allowing Morocco to preserve the draw.
Despite surrendering their early lead, the result offers several positives for coach Walid Regragui ahead of Morocco’s opening World Cup Group C fixture against Brazil in New York on Saturday. The Atlas Lions demonstrated their attacking threat through Diaz while also showing resilience under pressure as they defended resolutely in the closing minutes.
With Brazil, Haiti and Scotland also in Group C, Morocco will take encouragement from another competitive performance as they prepare for one of the toughest opening assignments of the tournament.
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Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman plans to use Monday’s friendly against Uzbekistan in New York as an opportunity for his first-choice line-up to have a proper dress rehearsal ahead of their opening World Cup clash against Japan next weekend.
The rest of the Dutch squad will then play a second unofficial game against the Uzbeks straight afterwards, made up of two 35-minute halves, Koeman announced on Sunday.
“We want to use the first match to make as few changes as possible. We have to wait and see if that works,” he said at a press conference ahead of the clash at the Ichan Stadium.
“We are going to play the first match largely with our starting team. It is also good for guys who are not 100% fit, who can then play in the second match. That is why we are playing two matches.
“We have 26 players, and everyone gets minutes to play. That’s what you want.”
A decision still needs to be made regarding defender Jurrien Timber, who only joined the squad last Thursday after playing for Arsenal in the Champions League final on May 30.
It was Timber’s first outing since March after struggling with a groin injury, and there remains concern over his levels of fitness.
“If he trains and is fully fit, he always makes a good impression. That hasn’t been the case every day, so we have to make a decision,” Koeman told reporters.
“He participated in training, and we are going to sit down with the doctor and Jurrien at the end of Sunday afternoon to see whether he is going to start or not,” the coach added.
The Dutch open their Group F campaign against Japan in Dallas on Sunday. Uzbekistan take on Colombia on June 17 in Group K.
-Reuters
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