World Cup arrives in Ottawa as Carney welcomes FIFA president

By Tahani Elghazaly
Published May 25, 2026

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Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomed FIFA President Gianni Infantino to Ottawa on Sunday, May 24, 2026, as Canada moves closer to co-hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup with the United States and Mexico.

The event took place at the Aberdeen Pavilion at Lansdowne Park, where Carney was seen raising the FIFA World Cup trophy alongside Infantino and Italian football legend Alessandro Nesta. Canadian reports described the moment as unusual and symbolic, as lifting the trophy is normally reserved for World Cup winners and select official occasions.

In his remarks, Carney said soccer has grown significantly in Canada since the country’s first men’s World Cup appearance in 1986. He also pointed to the achievements of Canadian soccer, including the women’s national team’s Olympic gold medal in Tokyo.

Canada will host 13 matches during the tournament, with six games in Toronto and seven in Vancouver. The 2026 World Cup will run from June 11 to July 19 and will be the first edition to feature 48 teams.

Infantino’s visit to Ottawa carried both sporting and political significance, as Canada seeks to position itself as a major host nation ahead of one of the largest sporting events ever held in North America.

The event also comes amid domestic debate over hosting costs, ticket prices and city preparations, particularly in Toronto and Vancouver, where thousands of visitors are expected during the tournament.

For Canadian fans, the arrival of the trophy in Ottawa is another sign that the countdown to the 2026 World Cup has entered its final stretch.