OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomed FIFA president Gianni Infantino to Ottawa ahead of the 2026 World Cup, as part of the tournament’s trophy tour.

Carney says that soccer has flourished in Canada since its first World Cup appearance in 1986, pointing to Canada’s women’s team winning gold in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

The prime minister added that the government is putting $755 million over the next five years into developing soccer at all levels in Canada.

Infantino says that he is excited to bring the World Cup to Canada, the United States and Mexico, who are co-hosting the tournament.

The FIFA president is calling for Canadian flags to be flown from every window during the tournament to help welcome the world to Canada.

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