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Humber Polytechnic Partners with Toronto to Deliver FIFA World Cup 2026™ Volunteer Program

Toronto, ON — The City of Toronto has named Humber Polytechnic as its second Official Host City Supporter for FIFA World Cup 2026™, strengthening preparations for one of the largest sporting events in the world.

As part of the partnership, Humber will play a central role in the local delivery of Toronto’s FIFA World Cup 26™ Volunteer Program, which is expected to recruit more than 3,000 volunteers to support fan experiences, accessibility services, media operations, and logistics. Humber’s Lakeshore Campus will become home to the FIFA World Cup 26 Volunteer Centre – Toronto, scheduled to open later this year.

Training Volunteers and Supporting Students

Humber Polytechnic will collaborate with the City to develop specialized training for volunteers who will serve as Host City Ambassadors and support FIFA Fan Festival™ activities. Volunteers will be prepared for venue-specific roles and equipped with the skills to welcome visitors from around the world.

The partnership also opens hands-on opportunities for Humber students to contribute to FIFA World Cup operations. Students will support event logistics, communications, media production, data collection, and reporting — gaining real-world experience in high-demand industries like sport management and event production.

“Humber is proud to partner with the City of Toronto as a Host City Supporter of the FIFA World Cup 26™ Volunteer Program in Toronto, delivering training and services for volunteers while offering world-class, hands-on learning opportunities for our students,” said Ann Marie Vaughan, President and CEO of Humber Polytechnic.

Economic and Cultural Impact

Toronto will host six FIFA World Cup 26™ matches, including Canada’s highly anticipated opener on June 12, 2026 — the first men’s FIFA World Cup™ match on Canadian soil. In addition, Toronto will host a round of 32 match on July 2, 2026.

A Deloitte Canada economic impact assessment, released by FIFA in December 2024, estimated that the tournament could generate up to $940 million in positive economic output for the Greater Toronto Area. This includes projected GDP growth of $520 million, labour income of $340 million, and government revenue of $25 million. More than 6,600 jobs are expected to be created between 2023 and 2026.

Mayor Olivia Chow welcomed Humber’s involvement:

“The City of Toronto is proud to welcome Humber Polytechnic as a Host City Supporter for FIFA World Cup 26™. This partnership will support recruiting and training volunteers to deliver a great experience for fans as we showcase Toronto on the world stage.”

Call for Volunteers

Volunteer applications are currently open. Toronto residents — including newcomers, retirees, and multilingual community members — are encouraged to apply early, as spaces are limited. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older at the time of application.

Those interested can apply via FIFA’s official volunteer page: www.fifaworldcup.com/volunteers.

With Humber Polytechnic now joining Ontario Power Generation (OPG) as a Host City Supporter, Toronto continues to build momentum toward delivering a safe, inclusive, and unforgettable FIFA World Cup 2026™ experience.


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Alwin Marshall-Squire

Alwin Marshall-Squire is the Editor-in-Chief of S-Q Publications Inc., overseeing editorial strategy for GTA Weekly, GTA Today, and Vision Newspaper. He leads the publications’ mission to deliver bold, original journalism focused on the people and communities of the Greater Toronto Area, Canada, and the global Caribbean diaspora. Also writes for GTA Weekly and GTA Today.

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