(Toronto) Standing in the center of the field at BMO Field, with logos of the 2026 World Cup adorning the stadium, Jonathan Osorio dreamed of what it would be like to host (part of) the World Cup in his corner of the country.
“It’s going to be amazing,” said the Toronto FC midfielder, who has won 62 games for Canada and played for John Herdman’s team at the last World Cup, last year in Qatar. It’s something the city may never have experienced. However, this city has seen things. »
PHOTO TIJANA MARTIN, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Jonathan Osorio
Osorio’s teammate Mark-Anthony Kaye, also with Toronto FC, agreed.
“Before, when we talked about the World Cup and Canada, it was always a dream,” said Kaye, who won 40 games with Canada and was also in the squad in Qatar.
PHOTO TIJANA MARTIN, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Mark Anthony Kaye
“After the last edition, where we made history, it’s amazing to think that it’s going to happen at home. »
A day after FIFA President Gianni Infantino attended a gala at the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles to unveil the 2026 Worlds logo and branding, Toronto held its own event to show off its visual wrap of the tournament .
For Sharon Bollenbach, appointed executive director of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Toronto in February, Thursday was “the first step of many to come” in the co-hosting of the World Cup, expanded to 48 teams, with Mexico and the United States.
PHOTO TIJANA MARTIN, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Bollenbach says the goal is to present the best tournament possible, but also to further raise the profile of soccer in Canada and inspire a new generation.
“We want the community to feel involved,” she said. Toronto is like the planet within a city. Any team playing here will feel at home. »
In addition to Vancouver, the other city that will host matches in the country, the United States will host duels in 11 cities, while Mexico will present them in three cities.