Key Takeaways:
- 2026 is expected to be a significant year for sports in Canada, with several major events taking place, including the FIFA World Cup and the Milan Cortina Olympics.
- Toronto and Vancouver are preparing to host the FIFA World Cup, with renovations and planning underway to accommodate a large influx of visitors.
- Canada has a rich history of hosting major sporting events and hopes to host the Olympics again in the future.
- The federal government is committed to building nation-building infrastructure, including sports infrastructure, which could support a future Olympic bid.
- The Canadian contingent at the Milan Cortina Olympics is a diverse group of athletes, ranging in age and experience.
Introduction to Canada’s Year of Sport
Adam van Koeverden, Canada’s secretary of state for sport, believes that 2026 will be a significant year for sports in Canada. With the FIFA World Cup and the Milan Cortina Olympics taking place, as well as other events such as the Paralympics and Arctic Games, Canada is set to host a variety of major sporting events. Van Koeverden notes that the first six months of 2026 will be particularly busy, with numerous events taking place across the country. He is excited to see Canadian athletes compete and is confident that Canada will prove to be a great host for these events.
World Cup Preparations
Toronto and Vancouver are currently preparing to host the FIFA World Cup, which is just 131 days away. Vancouver will host seven games, while Toronto will stage six, including Canada’s first group stage match on June 12. Both cities are busy renovating stadiums, creating plans to accommodate a massive influx of visitors, and drawing up policies to ensure visitors and residents are safe. Van Koeverden recently visited Vancouver to check on the progress and was impressed with the preparations. He spoke with local First Nations, toured B.C. Place and the Vancouver Convention Centre, which will host the FIFA Congress 2026 in April, and joined dozens of people for a run along the seawall.
Canada’s History of Hosting Major Sporting Events
Canada has a rich history of hosting major sporting events, and van Koeverden hopes to see the Olympics return to the country one day. He believes that Canada is the best host country in the world and that Vancouver is one of the best host cities. However, he notes that bidding for the Games is led by the Canadian Olympic Committee, not the federal government. Calgary opted against bidding for the 2026 Games after citizens voted down a plebiscite on the issue, and an Indigenous-led bid to hold the 2030 Olympics in Whistler and Vancouver fell apart when the provincial government declined its support.
Challenges of Hosting the Olympics
Van Koeverden acknowledges that hosting the Olympics is a challenging and complex process. He notes that it requires aligning priorities between municipalities, provincial governments, and federal governments, as well as sporting authorities. He believes that it is a worthwhile endeavor, but it requires a significant amount of effort and resources. Van Koeverden adds that some of the facilities from previous Olympic Games are no longer in use or are aging and in need of upgrades. However, he is confident that Canada has the infrastructure and expertise to host the Games again in the future.
Federal Government Support
The federal government has committed to building nation-building infrastructure, including sports infrastructure, which could support a future Olympic bid. Van Koeverden notes that this is not contingent on an Olympic bid, but rather part of a broader effort to build and upgrade infrastructure across the country. He believes that this investment will pay off in the long run, not just for sports, but for the country as a whole.
Milan Cortina Olympics
Van Koeverden will soon head to Italy to cheer on Canada’s athletes at the Milan Cortina Games. He is a big fan of winter sports, particularly cross-country skiing, which he calls "the hardest endurance sport in the world." He is also excited to watch other sports, including speedskating, hockey, curling, and snowboarding. The Canadian contingent at the Milan Cortina Olympics is a diverse group of athletes, ranging in age from teenagers to athletes in their 40s, and from first-time competitors to those heading to their fifth Olympics. Van Koeverden is excited to see them compete and is confident that they will make Canada proud.
