After years of buildup, the FIFA World Cup 2026 finally kicks off this week — and for the first time in history, Canada is a host nation. The tournament opens on Thursday, June 11 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, and one day later, on Friday, June 12, Canada plays its opening match at BMO Field in Toronto — the first men's World Cup match ever played on Canadian soil.
The opening week at a glance
This is the biggest World Cup ever staged: 48 teams, 104 matches, and 16 host cities across Canada, the United States and Mexico. The group stage runs June 11–27, with games spread across every time zone in North America — which, for once, means Canadian fans get civilized kickoff times instead of 4 a.m. alarms.
- June 11: Tournament opener, Estadio Azteca, Mexico City — the third World Cup to open at the Azteca, a record.
- June 12: Canada's opener in Toronto. BMO Field has been expanded to roughly 45,000 seats for the tournament.
- June 13–27: Group stage continues, with Vancouver's BC Place hosting its share of Canada's seven West Coast matches.
Canada's historic home tournament
Canada qualified automatically as co-host, but this squad is no token participant. After reaching the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and a strong run of continental performances since, the team enters its home tournament with genuine expectations of escaping the group stage — something the men's side has never done.
Home advantage is real at World Cups: host nations have historically outperformed their rankings, carried by home crowds and familiar conditions. Toronto and Vancouver will be as loud as any venue in the tournament.
How to watch in Canada
Every match will be broadcast in Canada with national coverage in English and French, plus streaming options through the major Canadian sports platforms. Kickoff times for Canadian-hosted games are naturally aligned to local prime viewing windows — expect afternoon and early-evening starts in ET and PT.
Betting on the opening week
Single-game sports betting is legal across Canada, and the World Cup is expected to be the most-bet event in Canadian history. A few things first-time bettors should know before the group stage:
- The draw is a real outcome. Soccer moneylines are three-way (win/draw/win). Group-stage games between cautious sides end level far more often than casual bettors expect.
- Openers tend to be tight. Teams protect themselves in match one — unders and draws are historically strong in opening rounds.
- Shop your province's options. Ontario players have a full regulated market; other provinces bet through platforms like PlayNow, Play Alberta and Mise-o-jeu. See our World Cup hub for the province-by-province breakdown.
FAQ
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Conclusion
A World Cup on home soil happens once in a generation. Whether you're heading to BMO Field, a fan zone, or your couch, opening week sets the tone for a month of football. If you bet, set your limits before the first whistle, treat it as entertainment, and enjoy the history. 19+/18+ depending on province — please play responsibly.
