Soccer Day in Toronto: The Countdown to FIFA World Cup 2026
Published: Jun 9, 2025
Hey, soccer fans! Can you feel the buzz?
June 12 is Soccer Day in Toronto, a milestone that kicks off the journey to FIFA World Cup 2026, the world’s most thrilling soccer tournament. The internationally renowned event, based on friendly competition and international diversity, is coming to our amazing city one year from now, and GO Transit is already preparing.
The First Ever Soccer Day in Toronto
To mark the one-year countdown to Toronto’s first match of the FIFA World Cup 2026, featuring the Canadian Men’s National Team in a historic game on home soil, Mayor Olivia Chow will proclaim Thursday, June 12, the first-ever Soccer Day in Toronto.
Join the celebrations and countdown at Nathan Philips Square from 4:00 to 8:30 PM. The event will feature music, giveaways, and the official unveiling of the FIFA World Cup Toronto Countdown Clock. Get ready to show your soccer spirit by wearing your favourite jersey, or red and white!
The 2026 FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, in 16 Host Cities across Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The City of Toronto will host six matches during the tournament, kicking off on June 12, 2026, with the first-ever men’s FIFA World Cup match on Canadian soil and featuring Canada’s Men’s National Team.
Toronto will burst into life with culture, competition, and joy! Imagine fans pouring in from every corner of the world, gathering to cheer on their teams, sharing their unique traditions, and embracing the beautiful spirit of the game. This is not just a tournament; it’s a grand festival of sportsmanship and unity, shining a spotlight on our fantastic multicultural city.
How is GO Transit Preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
As we gear up for FIFA World Cup 2026, GO Transit is excited to welcome fans for all six matches planned for Toronto, which will take place at Toronto Stadium (BMO Field), just steps from Exhibition GO Station. We’re working on enhancing our service to ensure a smooth travel experience for everyone, with clear signage and dedicated staff to help you focus on cheering for your team and enjoying the vibrant atmosphere. We’re excited to get you to and from all the 2026 FIFA World Cup events!
What Can You Look Forward to?
This year-long countdown is all about building connections and creating memories that will last a lifetime! We’ll be seeing some extraordinary events across the city—think watch parties, soccer clinics, vibrant food festivals, and cultural showcases that bring fans together in a big way.
One of the highlights will be the FIFA Fan Festival™ at Fort York National Historic Site and The Bentway, also just a short walk away from Exhibition GO Station. This free, all-ages festival will feature live broadcasts of matches on large screens, as well as music, art, delicious food, and unforgettable vibes. It’s where Toronto’s global heartbeat meets the beautiful game—a perfect place to cheer, dance, snack, and celebrate with fans from around the world.
If you haven’t caught the soccer fever yet, shake off the dust from those jerseys, practice your cheers, and let’s get the party started together!
Toronto on the World Stage
With so much excitement on the horizon, let’s embrace the friendly competition and global spirit that the FIFA World Cup brings. We’re about to embark on an unforgettable journey that will lead to one of the biggest celebrations our city has ever seen.
We can’t wait to welcome fans from across the globe to Toronto. Here’s to one year until the biggest party in our city's history—let's get this party started!
Land Acknowledgement
Metrolinx acknowledges that we connect communities by building and operating transit within the traditional lands of the Anishinaabe, the Haudenosaunee and the Huron-Wendat peoples, for whom these lands continue to have great importance.
Treaties between First Nations and governments cover these lands, and the promises contained in these Treaties remain relevant to this day.
Metrolinx and its employees are committed to understanding the history of these lands and the continued impacts of colonization and take responsibility for actions to advance reconciliation.
Metrolinx will continue to seek the knowledge, expertise and experience of Indigenous partners and commits to doing business in a manner that is built on a foundation of trust, respect, and collaboration.