Toronto, June 13, 2025 – York United FC proudly took part in Soccer Day in Toronto on Thursday at Nathan Phillips Square, marking one year until the city hosts its first-ever FIFA World Cup™ match on Canadian soil.
The celebration, organized by the City of Toronto’s FWC26 Toronto Secretariat and FIFA World Cup 26™ Canada, featured the unveiling of the official countdown clock, which will remain in the square through to the end of the tournament.
First-team players Riley Ferrazzo, Julian Altobelli, Cameron Da Silva, Christian Zeppieri, Markiyan Voytsekhovskyy and Joshua Lopez represented the club during the event. They spent the afternoon connecting with fans, signing autographs, and being part of a special moment for the city and Canadian soccer.
The York United FC Academy team was also present, along with Head Coach Silviu Butnaru. Their presence added to the spirit of the day, joining in the celebrations and sharing the excitement with families and young supporters from across Toronto.
Eduardo Pasquel, Chief Executive Officer of York United FC, joined in the celebration alongside: Olivia Chow, Mayor of Toronto; Chief Claire Sault of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation; Adam van Koeverden, Canada’s Secretary of State for Sport; Peter Montopoli, Chief Tournament Officer for FIFA World Cup 26™ Canada; Knowledge Keeper Daniel Secord, and dozens of youth soccer players from across the city. Together, they marked the one-year countdown to an unforgettable moment in Canadian sports history.
Thousands came together in the heart of the city to celebrate what soccer means to Toronto. With music, food, kids playing, and jerseys from around the world, the event was a powerful reminder of how this sport brings people together, no matter where they’re from.
York United FC thanks the City of Toronto’s FWC26 Toronto Secretariat and FIFA World Cup 26™ Canada for the invitation to be part of such a meaningful day, and proudly reaffirms its commitment to the growth of the game and the community in this world-class city.
FIFA World Cup 26™
The tournament begins in Mexico City on Thursday, June 11, 2026 and concludes with the final match in New York/New Jersey on Sunday, July 19, 2026. Toronto will host six matches during the FIFA World Cup 2026™, beginning with the first-ever men’s FIFA World Cup™ match on Canadian soil on Friday, June 12, 2026 and a round of 32 match on Thursday, July 2, 2026. Funding and services provided by the Government of Canada and Province of Ontario will contribute to enhancing the necessary infrastructure and logistics in delivering Toronto’s matches and ancillary events for the FIFA World Cup 2026™.
In December 2024, FIFA released an economic impact assessment, prepared by Deloitte Canada, estimating that FIFA World Cup 26™ could generate up to $940 million in positive economic output for the Greater Toronto Area. This includes a projected $520 million in GDP growth, $340 million in labour income and $25 million in government revenue. The tournament is also expected to create more than 6,600 jobs between June 2023 and August 2026, providing a substantial boost to the region’s economy.
Pre-registration for FIFA World Cup 26™ ticket information is available through FIFA’s official ticketing platform: www.FIFA.com/tickets.
Fans can also get involved by registering their interest to volunteer for the FIFA World Cup 26™ in Toronto at https://volunteer.fifa.com/register and be the first to know when volunteer applications open in August.
About York United FC
York United FC is a professional soccer club based in the Greater Toronto Area, competing in the Canadian Premier League (CPL). Founded in 2019, the team is committed to representing the vibrant and diverse community of York Region with passion and pride. York United's home matches are played at York Lions Stadium, where fans gather to cheer on their team with unwavering support. With a focus on developing local talent and providing an exciting brand of soccer, York United is dedicated to growing the sport in Canada while striving for success both domestically and internationally. The club embraces its role as a community-oriented organization, aiming to inspire the next generation of soccer players and fans. For more updates and information, please visit CanPL.ca/yorkunitedfc.
About Canadian Premier League
The Canadian Premier League (CPL), the top flight of men’s professional soccer in Canada, is committed to its mission of providing opportunities for Canadian players to showcase their abilities on home soil and to gain prominence on the global soccer scene. The League develops homegrown talent in support of the growth of Canadian soccer domestically and internationally, partnering with strong ownership groups, world-class corporate partners, and passionate supporters to build a league Canadians from coast to coast can proudly support on and off the field. The CPL, which is contesting its seventh season in 2025, plays in Concacaf and FIFA sanctioned competitions. For more updates and information, please visit CanPL.ca.