Preparing for the FIFA World Cup
- 58 minutes ago
- 7 min read
Back in 1982, when Italy won the World Cup, my husband and I were young newlyweds. When the tournament began weeks earlier, I quickly discovered just how passionate my husband and father-in-law were about “The Beautiful Game.” By the time the final match arrived, I was completely swept up in the excitement right alongside them. As soon as the game ended, we jumped on the subway and headed to St. Clair Avenue West and Dufferin Street to celebrate with thousands of Torontonians filling the streets with flags, singing, cheering, and pure joy.
I have never forgotten that feeling of community and excitement. So when Toronto began preparing its bid to take part in the first North American FIFA World Cup, I was all in. I know firsthand how deeply this city loves soccer and how powerfully these moments can bring people together.
This summer, Toronto will host six FIFA World Cup 2026 matches and the FIFA Fan Festival from June 11 to July 19. That includes the first-ever men’s FIFA World Cup match played on Canadian soil, featuring Canada’s Men’s National Team taking on Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 12.
As Toronto prepares to welcome the world, I want residents here in Don Valley North to feel part of that excitement. Whether you are attending a match, joining a local celebration, visiting the Fan Festival, or simply moving around the city during the tournament, I want to make sure you know what to expect and how to take part in this once-in-a-generation moment.
Before the tournament officially kicks off, I hope families will join me for a special community soccer celebration right here in Don Valley North!
Join me at Van Horne Park on Saturday, June 6, from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. for our DVN Youth Soccer Event, hosted in partnership with the City of Toronto’s Youth Development Unit.
This afternoon is all about getting outside, staying active, connecting with neighbours, and celebrating the excitement of the beautiful game together.
We’ll have two 7-a-side mini pitches set up with rolling drop-in games throughout the day. One field will be for youth ages 11 and under, and the second will be for ages 12–18, so everyone has a chance to get in the game. Players can arrive with friends, join a team when they get there, or simply come out and cheer from the sidelines. Volunteer referees will help keep the games running smoothly and make sure everyone has a fun and positive experience.
There will also be:• FIFA giveaways • A free community BBQ• Music and entertainment• Community activations and engagement opportunities• Interactive booths and activities from local partners
We are excited to welcome several fantastic community partners and special guests, including AFC Toronto, DARBY Magazine, MP Maggie Chi’s Office, Toronto Police 33 Division Neighbourhood Community Officers, and Parks and Recreation’s Play Mobile program in partnership with Nike and more.
Whether you are chasing goals on the pitch, cheering on friends, grabbing a burger at the BBQ, or simply enjoying the atmosphere with your family, there will be something for everyone.
So lace up your boots, bring the kids, and come kick off Toronto’s World Cup celebrations with us at Van Horne Park, located at 561 Van Horne Avenue.
RSVP here and I hope to see lots of youth and families out on the pitch!
If you can’t make it to games, the FIFA Fan Festival will give residents and visitors a chance to experience the excitement of the tournament together through live match screenings, entertainment, music, food, and cultural programming. The FIFA Fan Festival will be hosted at Fort York National Historic Site and The Bentway, and will run between Thursday, June 11 and Sunday, July 19, 2026, featuring live match broadcasts on large screens, diverse cultural performances, interactive art installations and a wide variety of local food experiences. This celebration will highlight Toronto’s diversity, talent and global appeal, reinforcing our city’s reputation as being "The World in a City”.
While free general admission tickets are currently sold out, paid tickets are still available for some experiences and activations.
During the festival, we’re expecting the city to be a lot busier than usual, especially around the stadium, downtown, and key event areas. That means more visitors, more activity, and yes, more pressure on our roads and transit system.
The City has been working closely with the TTC, Metrolinx, the Ministry of Transportation, Toronto Police Service, and Toronto Emergency Management to put a detailed Mobility Plan in place. The goal is simple: keep people moving safely and as smoothly as possible while still supporting major events and making sure emergency services can get where they need to go.
That said, I want to be really honest with residents, there will be delays, detours, and some temporary closures during the tournament period. It’s all part of hosting an event of this scale.
The best thing we can all do is plan ahead. Give yourself extra time, check routes before you travel, and consider transit, walking, or cycling where you can.
Road closures around Toronto Stadium will be in effect on match days beginning approximately five hours before kickoff and ending up to three hours after matches conclude.
Match Day Road Closure Schedule:
• Friday, June 12 – 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Wednesday, June 17 – 3 p.m. to midnight
• Saturday, June 20 – noon to 9 p.m.
• Tuesday, June 23 – 3 p.m. to midnight
• Friday, June 26 – 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Thursday, July 2 – 3 p.m. to midnight
A little preparation will go a long way in making the experience easier for everyone. For help planning your journey, please check out the Getting Around Toronto webpage.
One of the most meaningful parts of hosting the FIFA World Cup 2026 is the legacy it is helping build across Toronto, well beyond the six matches the city will welcome.
Across neighbourhoods, there are investments in community programs, expanded access to sport and recreation, support for local businesses, skills development, and environmental initiatives that will continue long after the tournament ends. The approach brings together equity, economic inclusion, and community vibrancy as part of how the city is preparing and what it leaves behind.
Residents will see that legacy in many forms. The City’s Community Celebration Support Fund is helping deliver more than 60 local events across Toronto, reflecting the diversity and energy of our communities and creating opportunities for residents to come together close to home.
I hope to see many Don Valley North residents at two exciting local events.
The first is the 2026 World Soccer Block Party at Parkway on Saturday, June 20, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., hosted by the Parkway Centre Business Association. It will take over the Parkway Place parking lot at 243–255 Consumers Road and bring together families, neighbours, and soccer fans for an afternoon of soccer-themed games, bouncy castles, kids’ activities, live performances, local food vendors, and more. It is a great chance to enjoy the energy of the World Cup while supporting local businesses and connecting with the community.
The second is The Entrepreneur’s Fiesta, hosted by the Hispanic Canadian Heritage Council, taking place at Mel Lastman Square on Sunday, June 21, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. This free community event will celebrate the rich cultures and traditions of Canada’s Hispanic and Latin American communities through music, dance, food, games, storytelling, and cultural performances.
Across the city, there are also many other FIFA-related events to explore. An interactive events tool is available online for residents to find celebrations happening in their neighbourhoods throughout the tournament.
Behind the scenes, there are also important investments in people and skills. Through procurement and partnerships, the City has supported workforce development and training programs that connect young people to opportunities in tourism, hospitality, and event operations. These partnerships are being built to continue well beyond the tournament and strengthen long-term career pathways.
Sport and recreation are also a key part of this legacy. The City is expanding access through free youth soccer programs, leadership opportunities, and improved community facilities. This includes new mini-pitches in neighbourhoods across Toronto, as well as revitalized spaces like Centennial Park and the Visa Street Soccer Park at Nathan Phillips Square.
The first of four Soccer for All Legacy mini-pitches has already opened, with additional sites at Apted Park, Amesbury Park, Grandravine Park, and Scarborough Village Park. These spaces offer enclosed, illuminated turf fields that support year-round play, free programming, and open community access for residents of all ages.
Taken together, these investments reflect a city building opportunity, strengthening communities, and creating more ways for people to connect long after the final whistle.
Toronto is ready to welcome the world, and I know Don Valley North residents will help show visitors the very best of our city.
I encourage everyone to take part in the celebrations, support local events and businesses, and enjoy the incredible energy the FIFA World Cup will bring to Toronto this summer.
I hope to see you on the pitch at Van Horne Park and throughout the city as we celebrate this historic moment together.
North York General Hospital Long-Term Care Groundbreaking
A quick additional note to celebrate this week’s groundbreaking for the new North York General Long-Term Care Development, a major milestone for seniors’ care both in our community and across Toronto.
I am especially proud that this transformative project is happening right here in North York. From the very beginning, I worked closely with North York General Hospital to help move this project forward as quickly as possible. By working together to cut through delays and keep the process moving, we were able to save years in timelines and millions of dollars in costs so this much-needed care can reach residents sooner.
The new development will include a 528-bed long-term care home, one of the largest in Ontario, along with two floors dedicated to seniors-focused services and parking that will support both the long-term care development and North York General Hospital. It will deliver some of the most advanced safety, infection prevention and control, and quality standards in the province. Most importantly, every resident will have the comfort, dignity, and privacy of their own bedroom and private bathroom.
