HE Karim Morcos
May 25th marks “World Football Day”, as designated by the United Nations. It is an occasion to celebrate the beautiful game and the power of sport in bringing people together.
For Canada, the day has added significance this year as the country prepares to co-host FIFA World Cup 2026, alongside the United States and Mexico.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 stands as a powerful testament to what countries can achieve through sustained international cooperation. Canada, the United States, and Mexico will each host matches while jointly delivering the largest and most ambitious World Cup in history, an achievement that reflects not only regional coordination, but also the kind of partnership increasingly required to navigate a complex and interconnected world.
The tournament has already demonstrated that when countries align around a shared objective, meaningful progress follows. Cross-border cooperation has deepened, from enhanced security coordination to strengthened information-sharing and operational planning—all in pursuit of a safe and successful global event. Beyond sport, the World Cup offers a forward-looking model of collaboration: one rooted in openness, shared prosperity, and collective responsibility.
Canada approaches the FIFA World Cup 2026 with a clear sense of purpose grounded in its values and international outlook. As one of only four countries to have hosted both the Women’s and Men’s FIFA World Cup, Canada brings experience, institutional strength, and a steadfast commitment to inclusive and responsible hosting. The tournament provides an opportunity to showcase Canada’s culture, the diversity of its communities, and its enduring respect for Indigenous Peoples, whose presence and partnership are central to hosting on this land. At its core, Canada’s approach is anchored in delivering a World Cup that is safe, welcoming, and grounded in mutual respect.
This effort also reflects Canada’s broader role on the global stage. Working closely with partners across borders, Canada contributes to strengthening systems that support security, economic resilience, and people-to-people ties. These are the foundations not only of a successful tournament, but of long-term stability and shared progress.
In preparing for the tournament, Canada looks to the example set by Qatar in hosting the successful 2022 edition of the World Cup, a historic moment marking the first time the tournament was hosted by a country in the Middle East. As part of the growing Canada-Qatar strategic partnership, we are working together closely to take on lessons learned from Qatar’s experience and engaging directly in security cooperation as agreed during Prime Minister Carney’s visit in January 2026. Lessons from our Qatari partners will contribute to the success of this year’s tournament.
Canada’s pragmatic, collaborative, and values-driven approach, on full display in the joint delivery of the FIFA World Cup 2026, underscores its role as a partner others can depend on, whether advancing global initiatives, strengthening economic ties, or addressing shared challenges. The lesson of this historic tournament is clear: when trust is established, cooperation deepens—and with it, the foundation for lasting, shared success.
We look forward to welcoming our Qatari friends in Canada, in particular for the Canada-Qatar match scheduled for June 18th. See you soon!
