Toronto hosts event at BMO Field to showcase 2026 FIFA World Cup branding

Standing in the middle of BMO Field, with 2026 World Cup graphics adorning the stadium, Jonathan Osorio could only imagine what having the men's soccer showcase in his backyard might be like.

"It's going to be something amazing," said the Toronto FC midfielder, who has won 62 caps for Canada and was part of John Herdman's team at last year's World Cup in Qatar. "Something that maybe the city has never seen. And this city has seen a lot."

Toronto and Canada teammate Mark-Anthony Kaye echoed Osorio's enthusiasm.

"Before when we used to think of Canada and World Cups, they were always dreams," said Kaye, who has won 40 caps for Canada and was also in Qatar. "After this last one, being able to go there and make history and put our feet on the soil of the biggest tournament in the world, now to have it on our home soil is amazing.

Osorio pointed to the parade that filled the streets after the Toronto Raptors won the NBA championship in 2019.

"This is football," he said. "And it could maybe overtake that, maybe not. We'll see. But I know it will be to that magnitude of support."

One day after FIFA president Gianni Infantino attended a gala at Los Angeles' historic Griffith Observatory for the unveiling of the logo and branding for the 2026 World Cup, Toronto held its own event to showcase its tournament branding.

Thursday's event took place against a backdrop of young soccer players darting around the pitch with former Canadian international Terry Dunfield, now coach of Toronto FC's under-17 academy team, among those directing the on-field traffic.

For Sharon Bollenbach, appointed in February as executive director of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Toronto, Thursday was "the first milestone of many to come" in co-hosting the expanded