Prime Minister Carney to Attend FIFA World Cup 26 Final Draw in Washington, D.C.
Prime Minister Carney prepares Canada for FIFA World Cup 26 as the Final Draw sets the stage for next summer’s historic tournament.
OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney will travel to Washington, D.C., on December 5 to represent Canada at the FIFA World Cup 26™ Final Draw, a key ceremony that will determine group placements and matchups for the largest World Cup tournament in history. The event marks a milestone moment as Canada prepares to co-host the FIFA Men’s World Cup for the first time.
Canada, Mexico, and the United States will jointly host the 2026 tournament, which will bring together 48 nations for 104 matches, including 13 matches on Canadian soil—six in Toronto and seven in Vancouver. It will be the first time in the 96-year history of the competition that FIFA World Cup matches are played in Canada.
While in Washington, the Prime Minister will also attend a World Cup celebration and tree-lighting ceremony at the Embassy of Canada, co-hosted by Canada Soccer and Canada’s Ambassador to the United States, Kirsten Hillman.
The Carney government has emphasized that hosting FIFA World Cup 26™ will be a moment of national pride and a significant economic catalyst. Federal projections estimate the event could generate nearly 25,000 jobs and approximately $2 billion in economic activity across the country.
A historic moment for Canada
The Final Draw will place teams into four pots based on world rankings and host-nation status before allocating them into 12 balanced groups. FIFA will release the full match schedule—including venue assignments and kickoff times—the following day.
Canada has previously hosted major FIFA competitions, including the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup™, which set attendance records and generated nearly $500 million in economic activity. The government expects the 2026 tournament to surpass those milestones with even greater global visibility and international attendance.
Quote
“Next summer, Canada will open our doors to the world to host the FIFA World Cup – one of the most anticipated sporting events on the planet. This is our moment to unite around our team, our fans, our flag – and show the world everything Canada has to offer.”
— Rt. Hon. Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada
GTA Today — Reporting Canada’s top political, economic, and global developments with accuracy and authority.
