The Head of Cooperation and Chargé d’affaires at the High Commission of Canada, Francoise Nduwimana, has expressed her country’s readiness to welcome footballers and supporters to the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Delivering her opening remarks last Friday during celebrations to mark Black History Month, Madam Nduwimana said Canada was excited about hosting the Ghana national football team for their opening matches in Toronto and Vancouver.

“Canadians are looking forward to welcoming players and supporters from around the world to Toronto and Vancouver for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in just four months,” she stated.

She noted that as Canada prepares to co-host the global showpiece, the country was delighted to celebrate football’s unifying power, while highlighting the impact of Black excellence in the sport.

The event was attended by former Black Stars players, including Tony Baffoe, Sammy Kuffour and Augustine Ahinful, among others. Madam Nduwimana added that Canada has celebrated Black History Month every February for over 30 years and expressed gratitude to Tribe Culture Fest, the National Sports Authority and the Ghana Football Association for their support.

Friendship

She underscored the long-standing relationship between Ghana and Canada, noting the strong Ghanaian diaspora presence in the North American country.

According to her, hosting the tournament for the first time presented an opportunity for Canada to showcase its vibrant culture, while building on the legacy of major events such as the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Highlighting the deep ties between the two nations, she recalled that Canada’s first-ever World Cup goal came in 2022 through Alphonso Davies, who was born in a refugee camp in Ghana.

She added that several players of Ghanaian descent had also featured for the Canadian national team, mentioning names such as Richie Laryea, Stephen Afrifa and Kwasi Poku, and expressed the hope that more talents would follow in their footsteps.

Madam Nduwimana described football as a powerful pathway for migrants, enabling people to feel at home in new environments while building friendships and a sense of identity.

The Chargé d’affaires also traced the role of Black communities in shaping Canadian football, noting that in 1969, the West Indies United Toronto Football Club became the first non-white team to win the Ontario Soccer League and represent the province at the national finals.

She added that until the mid-2000s, African diaspora communities in Canada used football as a tool to foster unity, integration, and social cohesion in society.