Carney welcomes World Cup to Ottawa as Canada prepares to host matches next month

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Bluesky
• Share on X
• Copy Link

“Our men’s team qualifying for the World Cup in Qatar. Partly because of very clever scheduling, including playing the U.S. in Hamilton in January in a snowstorm, and we won.”

Single-Vehicle Collision

1 dead in car crash along 48 Ave in Langley Sunday morning

3h ago

Quick Rescue

Hope SAR rescues three stranded hikers off Mount Grant summit

3h ago

Police Fundraiser

Cops for Cancer Tour de Valley team gears up for 2026 fundraiser

4h ago

Carney did not take questions during this event.

The prime minister added that the government is putting $755 million over the next five years into developing soccer at all levels in Canada. Much of this money, $660 million, is earmarked for local sport organizations to grow and develop children and youth soccer programs.

Once the five years is complete, the government has set aside $118 million annually to contribute to local programs and fund facility upgrades.

Infantino said that he is excited to bring the World Cup to Canada, the United States and Mexico.

The FIFA president called for Canadian flags to be flown from every window during the tournament to show the world Canada is ready to play.

“Put a Canadian flag on every window in every apartment, in every restaurant, in every car, in everything. Just inundate the country with Canadian flags to scare everyone who’s coming,” Infantino joked. “And to make the team feel the love of Canada.”

Infantino then had Carney hoist the World Cup trophy after taking some group photos with kids from the Ottawa City Soccer Club and Junior Achievement Youth.

Canada’s first game of the World Cup is set for June 12 against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 24, 2026.

David Baxter, The Canadian Press