The 2026 World Cup in Canada
In 2026, the World Cup will be co-hosted by Canada, the United States and Mexico, with an expanded format of 48 teams and 104 matches between June 11 and July 19, 2026. Canada hosts 13 matches, all in Toronto and Vancouver: 6 games in Toronto and 7 in Vancouver. It's the first time the men's World Cup is played on Canadian soil.
Where will the matches take place in Canada?
- Toronto: BMO Field (renamed "Toronto Stadium" during the tournament), at Exhibition Place. Capacity raised to about 45,000 seats.
- Vancouver: BC Place, downtown, with a retractable roof and a capacity of about 55,000 spectators.
Two super-accessible cities, full of hotels, restaurants, sports bars and fan zones — perfect for a football + tourism trip.
When does Canada play and which teams are coming?
The tournament starts on June 11, 2026, in Mexico City, but Canada kicks off its home campaign on June 12 in Toronto, at BMO Field, for its very first World Cup match on Canadian soil. The men's team then plays two group matches in Vancouver, at BC Place, on June 18 and 24, 2026.
Vancouver also hosts fixtures featuring teams like Australia, Türkiye, Qatar, New Zealand, Egypt, Switzerland and Belgium across the group stage and knockout matches. Toronto and Vancouver also host round-of-32 matches and an additional match in Vancouver in July.
Why medical visitor insurance in Canada is essential
Contrary to what many people think, the Canadian public health system does not cover tourists or most temporary visitors. Without insurance, a simple hospital stay can turn into a five-figure bill, or more.
"Visitor insurance in Canada" policies are made for:
- Tourists who come to watch matches or tour the country.
- Temporary workers or students waiting for a provincial health plan.
- New permanent residents and Super Visa parents/grandparents.
They cover unexpected medical emergencies during the stay (sudden illness, accident, etc.), not routine care or long-term follow-up.
What a 2026 World Cup travel insurance policy typically covers
- Hospitalization in a semi-private room in an emergency.
- Doctor's fees, exams, lab tests and X-rays.
- Ground or air ambulance to the appropriate hospital.
- Medications prescribed as part of emergency treatment.
- Emergency dental care following an accident or to relieve acute pain.
- Medical repatriation to the country of residence or return of remains in case of death.
- 24/7 multilingual assistance services.
The exclusions to know about: alcohol, violence, extreme sports
Even with a good World Cup 2026 fan insurance policy in Canada, some situations aren't covered.
Alcohol, drugs and intoxication
- Abuse or excessive use of alcohol, drugs or intoxicating substances.
- Intoxication, addiction and sometimes withdrawal.
- Injuries suffered while driving impaired.
In short: if you injure yourself because you're pretty wrecked after the match, the insurer can deny the claim.
Violence, criminal acts, riots
- Injuries related to your participation in a criminal act.
- Voluntary participation in riots, uprisings or insurrections.
High-risk sports
- Mountaineering/technical climbing, skydiving, paragliding.
- Motor racing, extreme sports or playing a sport professionally.
Other common exclusions
- Unstable or undeclared pre-existing conditions.
- Pregnancy, childbirth and late-term complications.
- Certain mental health care (except hospitalization).
- Suicide, self-inflicted injuries, acts of war or terrorism.
Practical tips: Toronto and Vancouver World Cup travel insurance
- Buy your insurance before you leave, or at the latest in the first few days after arrival.
- Choose a realistic coverage amount ($100,000, $300,000, even $1M).
- Answer the medical questions honestly: a misrepresentation can void the policy.
- Keep the assistance card and policy number in your phone, and call the assistance line before going to the hospital (except in a life-threatening emergency).
- Go easy on the alcohol, avoid violence and check your coverage before any extreme activity.
Visitor insurance with U.S. and Mexico side trips
Many contracts allow short stays outside Canada (a weekend in New York, a week in Guadalajara). The typical rule:
- The side trip must begin and end in Canada.
- No single side trip can exceed about 30 days.
- The total of all side trips can't exceed 49% of the insured period.
- The side trip isn't covered if it's to your country of permanent residence.
In other words, your home base must clearly stay in Canada during the 2026 World Cup.
In summary
The 2026 World Cup in Canada is going to be one heck of a football party between Toronto and Vancouver. But a smart fan protects themselves before getting on the plane: well-chosen visitor insurance in Canada can be the difference between a great soccer trip and a financial nightmare that lasts for years.