The FIFA* World Cup, the biggest event in men’s soccer–perhaps in sports, period–will be co-hosted jointly in 2026 by Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Each of the three countries will host some of the games. One proposal is for Canada and Mexico to each host 10 games, and for the United States to host 60 games.
Canada hosted the women’s world cup in 2015, one of only four countries to host both events.
It is the first time three countries have put in an application together for the job of host. They beat out Morocco for the honour.
According to CBC News, “Morocco, which has now lost five bid campaigns, was classy in defeat–congratulating the North American winners.”
The games in Canada may be held mostly in Toronto, Montreal and Edmonton, although that could change.
Countries want to host sporting events like the world cup because they bring lots of fans–who spend lots of money–to the country.
Seventeen-year-old soccer player, Alphonso Davies, spoke to the committee making the decision. He wanted to help convince them to let Canada host it. He said his parents had to leave Monrovia, Liberia, because it was unsafe. Davies was born in a refugee camp in Ghana and five years later, he and his parents were allowed to emigrate to Canada.
Davies plays for the Vancouver Whitecaps and the Canadian men’s national soccer team. He said his dream is to play for Canada in the World Cup in the city where he lives now, Edmonton.
Davies said Canada “welcomes people from all over the world.”
And in 2026, they will be welcoming soccer fans from around the world.
CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS
By Kathleen Tilly
Writing/Discussion Prompt
Typically the World Cup and other large sporting events, such as the Olympics, are hosted by one county. In 2026, Canada, Mexico and the United States will be co-hosting the World Cup. Why do you think these countries chose to apply for this honour together? How will having the sporting event spread over 3 countries be similar or different to one hosted by a single country?
Reading Prompt: Extending Understanding
What teams do you feel loyal to? Describe what it feels like to be loyal to a team. How does it feel to be surrounded by other fans? How does it feel to be among rivals?
Junior
Extend understanding of texts by connecting the ideas in them to their own knowledge, experience, and insights, to other familiar texts, and to the world around them (OME, Reading: 1.6).
Intermediate
Extend understanding of texts, including increasingly complex or difficult texts, by connecting the ideas in them to their own knowledge, experience, and insights, to other familiar texts, and to the world around them (OME, Reading: 1.6).
Language Feature: What’s in a name?
In North America, we refer to the game played at the World Cup as soccer. In Europe and elsewhere in the world, however, it is called football. Why do you think this is the case? Either invent an imaginative reason for this difference, or research the true answer to this question.
