Canada leading the way when it comes to applications to volunteer at 2026 World Cup

Canada is leading the way when it comes to volunteering to work at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Organizers of the Canadian end of the tournament say Toronto and Vancouver rank one-two among the 16 host cities in the number of applications.

Of the more than 565,000 total volunteer applications to date, over 180,000 are to work in Canada (that number covers both Canadian and international applicants who want to volunteer in Canada).

"This country has always wrapped its arms around events and international events. It just shows you what this event means to Canadians. They want to be involved with it in any way, shape or form," said Canadian Victor Montagliani, who doubles as Concacaf president and FIFA vice-president. "So to be honest, I'm not really that surprised."

Organizers expect to use some 65,000 volunteers, including 6,000 in Canada, making the 2026 competition FIFA's largest-ever volunteer program.

Organizers say volunteers will provide support across 23 functional areas at official and non-official sites such as stadiums, training sites, airports, hotels and more.

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The expanded 48-team, 104-game tournament, which runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026, is being hosted by Canada, the U.S. and Mexico. Toronto and Vancouver are the tournament's Canadian host cities, with six games scheduled for Toronto's BMO Field and seven at Vancouver's B.C. Place Stadium.

With the deadline to apply to be a volunteer expected in mid-September, the number of applicants is expected to grow.

"It's a good problem to have," said Peter Montopoli, the former longtime Canada Soccer general secretary who is now chief tournament officer for the Canadian portion of the 2026 event.

Montagliani believes the interest in volunteering at the tournament also serves as an early indicator of the demand for tickets. Fans can now register with FIFA ahead of the tournament ticket lottery, which opens Sept. 10.

Montagliani, who oversaw ticketing at the 2018 and 2022 tournaments in Russia and Qatar, says the interest in tickets for those events was "absolutely off the charts."

"I think we'll surpass those numbers (this time)," he said.

Montopoli says past Canadian tournaments also drew big numbers when it came to volunteers with Canada's multicultural makeup helping draw volunteers from outside the country. He noted the 2007 FIFA Men's U-20 World Cup in Canada involved volunteers from close to 120 different nationalities "which spoke to the diversity of our country."

"The volunteers are the heartbeat really of any competition," he added.

Volunteers whose applications are successful will be invited to attend tryouts, which are expected to begin in October, with training to follow in March.

Volunteers need to be 18 or older at the time of application, be able to commit to eight shifts between June 11 and July 19, 2026, speak English (with French and Spanish also "desirable" in Canada and Mexico, respectively, with other languages a plus) and pass a background check, among other requirements.

While you can choose which host city you want to volunteer in, FIFA does not help with travel or accommodation. The role is unpaid, although local transportation costs in the host city may be covered.