Online Reporter
World Football Day on May 25 holds particular significance for Canada and its closest neighbours this year as we prepare to co-host the most highly anticipated sporting competition of the year. Indeed the FIFA World Cup 2026™ stands as a powerful testament to what countries can achieve through sustained international cooperation. Canada, the United States, and Mexico will each host matches while jointly delivering the largest and most ambitious World Cup in history—an achievement that reflects not only regional coordination, but also the kind of partnership increasingly required to navigate a complex and interconnected world.
As an avid football fan myself, I could not be more excited on this day with the 23rd edition of the FIFA World Cup only about two weeks away. The tournament has already demonstrated that when countries align around a shared objective, meaningful progress follows. Cross-border cooperation between the host countries has deepened, from enhanced security coordination to strengthened information-sharing and operational planning—all in pursuit of a safe and successful global event. Beyond sport, the World Cup offers a forward-looking model of collaboration: one rooted in openness, shared prosperity, and collective responsibility.
Canada approaches the FIFA World Cup 2026™ with a clear sense of purpose grounded in its values and international outlook. As one of only four countries to have hosted both the Women’s and Men’s FIFA World Cup, Canada brings experience, institutional strength, and a steadfast commitment to inclusive and responsible hosting. Canada is also capitalizing on the opportunity of the tournament to showcase our culture, the diversity of our communities, and our country’s enduring respect for Indigenous Peoples, whose presence and partnership are central to hosting on this land. At its core, Canada’s approach is anchored in delivering a World Cup that is safe, welcoming, compelling, and grounded in mutual respect.
This effort also reflects Canada’s broader role on the global stage. Working closely with partners across borders, Canada contributes to strengthening systems that support security, economic resilience, and people-to-people ties. These are the foundations not only of a successful tournament, but of long-term stability and shared progress.
While Africa is sending a record 10 teams to the 2026 tournament, Canada understands that the World Cup belongs to all fans of the sport, whether they have a participating national team to root for, find themselves supporting an underdog squad or a global superstar they admire, or are mainly interested in seeing a well-run competition that enables teams and their fans to bring their very best to the quadrennial showcase. Canadians for their part are not only excited about their national team, but they are enthused about players, fans and stories relating to all 48 teams.
Here in Zimbabwe, I and our Embassy staff will undoubtedly be vibing alongside all passionate football fans during the World Cup matches and our mission plans to highlight the FIFA tournament at our various public events. In our work, we hope to see existing Canada-Zimbabwe exchange and cooperation in cricket and rugby eventually extend to football and the enriching lessons we will have learned from co-hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Beyond sports, Canada is committed to attracting more Canadian investment and expertise to Zimbabwe’s mining, energy, and ICT sectors to expand economic cooperation between our two countries.
At the community level, Canada also partners with Oxfam Zimbabwe to advance sexual and reproductive health and rights, while supporting Transparency International Zimbabwe to promote accountability and address corruption risks in the health and education sectors.
In response to climate challenges, Canada supports nature-based solutions in districts such as Binga, Gwanda, and Mwenezi, strengthening livelihoods and resilience. These efforts are more than development projects — they reflect a partnership built on shared values and lasting impact.
Canada’s pragmatic, collaborative, and values-driven approach, on full display in the joint delivery of the FIFA World Cup 2026™, underscores its role as a partner others can depend on, whether advancing global initiatives, strengthening economic ties, or addressing shared challenges. The lesson of this historic tournament is clear: when trust is established, cooperation deepens—and with it, the foundation for lasting, shared success.
I wish a very enjoyable 2026 World Cup to all football fans throughout Zimbabwe and Southern Africa.
Adler Aristilde
Ambassador of Canada to Zimbabwe
High Commissioner of Canada to Botswana and to Malawi
Canada’s Representative to the Southern African Development Community (SADC)
