Let’s celebrate: 100 Days until FIFA World Cup 2026™ Vancouver

by

Let’s celebrate: 100 Days until
FIFA World Cup 2026™ Vancouver

With just 100 days remaining until FIFA World Cup 2026™ kicks off, excitement is building across Vancouver, B.C. and Canada, as residents, businesses and fans gear up to welcome the world. Learn more about how we are marking this milestone moment and upcoming initiatives to look out for, as Vancouver gets ready to host the tournament.

“As we get closer to the World Cup, you can feel the energy and excitement across Vancouver,” said Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim. “Our communities, local businesses and fans are ready to welcome the world, and this milestone brings us one step closer to an unforgettable celebration of sport, culture and connection. Vancouver has a long history of embracing global events with pride, and the FIFA World Cup 2026™ will be no exception.”

“With just 100 days until the World Cup arrives in British Columbia, excitement is building throughout the province. Hosting matches in Vancouver will bring lasting economic and community benefits by supporting local businesses, creating jobs, and inspiring young athletes in every corner of our province,” said Anne Kang, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. “But this is about more than seven matches – it’s about the legacy we leave behind, and soon we will share how the World Cup’s impact on British Columbians will extend far beyond the final whistle. We’re also excited to support community celebrations and will soon announce watch party locations throughout B.C. to help make participation accessible and affordable for more people. Until then, we can’t wait to welcome the world and showcase everything British Columbia has to offer.”

To mark today’s milestone, Vancouver’s Host Committee is launching a series of community and digital activations designed to invite British Columbians to celebrate and share in the excitement.

  • 100 in the Wild:  Fans are invited to take part in the 100 Days to Go in the Wild social media campaign by bringing the number 100 to life in creative ways, big or small. This could be an installation, object, moment, or activation using any medium such as a location, space or everyday surroundings. Participants can capture their creation, post it on social media, and tag @FWC26Vancouver for the chance to be featured on official channels.
  • “Dear Soccer” Campaign Launch: The Dear Soccer campaign will also launch on social today and pays homage to British Columbian’s deep connection to soccer. Through real letters and short video messages from fans, players, coaches, volunteers and families, this fan led series invites locals to share the role soccer has played in their lives. Fans are encouraged to watch, share and amplify the content across platforms.
  • Street Squad Takeover at select Transit Hubs: Street squads will be popping up across select transit locations in Vancouver. From approximately 3 to 6 pm, they will be at Commercial-Broadway and Stadium-Chinatown stations, and at 5 pm they will be at the countdown clock on Terry Fox Plaza at BC Place Vancouver. Commuters and passersby will have the chance to participate in quick quizzes, win small giveaways and learn about upcoming World Cup activities.

“With just 100 days to go until the FIFA World Cup 2026, the excitement is building. This summer, Canada will both host and play to win,” said the Honourable Adam van Koeverden, Secretary of State (Sport) and Canada’s FIFA Sherpa. “More than one million visitors will come and billions will be watching. We will see real economic activity right across our country, while writing a new chapter in Canada’s soccer legacy. The legacy of the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be felt long after the final whistle, from coast to coast to coast, in the story we get to tell as a vibrant, welcoming, and innovative host country.”

“Celebrating the beautiful game belongs to everyone, and we want all to be part of it and make lifelong memories,” said Jessie Adcock, FIFA World Cup 2026™ Vancouver Host Committee Lead. “As we count down the next 99 days, our focus is on showcasing Vancouver’s welcoming spirit and bringing people together through sport,”

The next 99 days: What to watch for and do

Vancouver’s Host Committee and its partners want to ensure British Columbians are aware of exciting opportunities and events occurring in the coming days and weeks ahead, including:

  • Donate to Level the Field to be one of the 52 people who will get the once in a lifetime chance to see a World Cup Match at BC Place Vancouver. Donations will support amateur sport accessibility across the Province of B.C. Donate at www.levelthefield.ca
  • Stay tuned for exciting updates on the FIFA Fan Festival™ later this week and over the next few months, including details on match viewing, the performance line up and more at www.vancouverfwc26.ca/fifa-fan-festival. 
  • Participate in the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca‑Cola by getting tickets at: www.cokeurl.com/trophy.
  • Take in dressing and signage as it goes up around the city. Grab a selfie at the first installation at the former Hudson’s Bay building in the heart of downtown Vancouver.
  • Keep an eye out for a comprehensive “Know Before You Go” campaign that equips fans and visitors with key transportation and travel guidance, provides essential safety and emergency information through official channels, and shares clear venue details to ensure a smooth and informed event experience.
  • Learn more about the costs and benefits of hosting when we roll out the financial update in late spring.

Celebrating with our partners 

Chief Wayne Sparrow,  xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band)
“As we mark 100 days to kickoff, Musqueam is more excited than ever to welcome the world to our ancestral territory for FIFA World Cup 2026. As a community, we celebrate the unity of soccer and embrace the powerful bonds that sport brings to athletes. This competition is a history-making opportunity to share who Musqueam is with the world, where we come from and the strength of our ancestors that carries us forward. We look forward to building connections, inspiring participation and creating a legacy for generations of soccer players and fans to come.”

Sxwíxwtn-Wilson Williams, Chairperson, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) 
“With just 100 days until FIFA World Cup 2026, we are proud to be on track to welcome the world to our Traditional Territory. This moment is more than a milestone — it’s an opportunity to share our history, culture and spirit on a global stage. Within our community, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) will host 14 watch events for our People and launch a youth-focused ticketing program to inspire the next generation through this beautiful game. To us, success means creating an unforgettable experience for everyone.”

Chief Justin George, səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) 
“With 100 days to go, our Tsleil-Waututh community is excited to be part of the FIFA World Cup 2026, proudly standing with our relations at Musqueam and Squamish in hosting one of the greatest global sporting events in the world on our shared, traditional lands. We look forward to welcoming the teams, fans, and dignitaries and embracing the incredible diversity and unity the tournament will bring. Soccer is one of the most popular sports within our Nation. As part of our legacy of partnership, we are building our Nation’s first, full-size turf field to ensure this generation and the next can fully experience the beautiful game.”

Chris May, General Manager at BC Place
“Excitement is rising at the stadium as we get ready to welcome the world to BC Place Vancouver in 100 days for FIFA World Cup 2026. Our teams have been hard at work advancing critical accessibility and technology upgrades designed to create a more inclusive and modern environment for fans. These improvements ensure BC Place Vancouver is ready to deliver an exceptional experience worthy of the world’s game, and set the stage for the next generation of sport and entertainment in British Columbia.”

Kevin Quinn, CEO at TransLink
“With the world’s attention on Metro Vancouver, public transit will be central to delivering a successful, welcoming experience. This region’s transit system was built to handle big moments, and we’re already doing the behind-the-scenes planning to scale up service, manage crowds, and keep people moving safely and reliably. We are ready to deliver for the world’s biggest event.”

Andy Margolis, Vice President, Operations and Chief Operations Officer at YVR
“We look forward to welcoming the world to Vancouver for the FIFA World Cup 2026. At YVR, we are ready to deliver a world-class experience for every traveler. With thousands of fans coming to Vancouver and direct service to 13 of the 16 host cities we are proud to work alongside Musqueam and the Vancouver Host Committee to showcase our beautiful province as the first and last impression of our city.”

About FIFA World Cup 2026™ 
FIFA World Cup 2026™ will be the biggest sporting event ever, with three Host Countries, 16 Host Cities, 48 teams and 104 matches uniting an entire continent to showcase a momentous new tournament format. With more countries, cities, teams and games, FIFA World Cup 2026™ will be the most inclusive tournament ever, engaging millions of fans across 16 unique stadiums and billions worldwide. The tournament will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026. To learn more or sign up for our newsletter, please visit our website at www.vancouverFWC26.ca and follow our Instagram, X and Facebook accounts @FWC26Vancouver.

Photo credit: ChiniGaray

Leave a Comment