OTTAWA – Prime Minister Mark Carney made history as he became the first Canadian to lift the FIFA World Cup trophy, an honor typically reserved for tournament champions. This ceremonial gesture took place during a warm welcome for FIFA President Gianni Infantino in Ottawa on Sunday, May 24, 2026.
Canada is gearing up to co-host the prestigious 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside the United States and Mexico. In his remarks, Carney highlighted the growth of soccer in Canada since the nation’s debut in the World Cup in 1986. He praised the achievements of Canada’s women’s national team, which clinched gold at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, and noted the remarkable performance of their captain, Christine Sinclair, who broke the all-time international goal-scoring record and continues to hold it.
Carney also expressed pride in the Canadian men’s national team for qualifying for the World Cup in Qatar. He humorously attributed part of their success to clever scheduling strategies, including a memorable match against the U.S. in Hamilton during a January snowstorm, where Canada emerged victorious. However, Carney did not entertain questions during the event.
In a strong commitment to fostering soccer at all levels, Carney announced that the Canadian government would invest $755 million over the next five years. Out of this budget, a substantial $660 million is designated for local sports organizations aimed at developing children's and youth soccer programs. Once the five-year plan concludes, an annual allocation of $118 million has been set aside for ongoing support of community programs and facility enhancements.
Infantino expressed his enthusiasm for bringing the World Cup to Canada, the United States, and Mexico. He encouraged Canadians to show their support by flying Canadian flags from every window during the tournament, aiming to create a festive atmosphere. “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,” he jokingly urged. His call was aimed at helping the national team feel the love and support of their home country.
Following this pep talk, Infantino invited Carney to hoist the World Cup trophy after taking group photographs with young soccer players from the Ottawa City Soccer Club and Junior Achievement Youth. This event marks a significant moment as Canada prepares for its first World Cup match, scheduled for June 12 against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto.
This celebratory gesture and the accompanying announcements reflect Canada's commitment to promoting soccer and highlight the excitement surrounding the upcoming World Cup, which will be a landmark event for the nation.
