Philippe Lafortune
The author is the ambassador of Canada to Korea.
May 25 marks World Football Day, a United Nations-recognized day celebrating football’s unique ability to promote peace, inclusion, mutual understanding and international cooperation across borders and cultures. For generations, sport has played an important role in bringing people together, opening channels of dialogue and building connections that often extend beyond politics and geography. Among global sports, football occupies a uniquely influential place — not only in athletics, but also in culture, diplomacy, commerce and international exchange. At a time of growing geopolitical uncertainty, football continues to serve as a rare global language capable of uniting people across generations and nations.
The newly laid natural grass pitch and stadium upgrades are shown during a media tour at the BC Place stadium, ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, in Vancouver, Canada, May 12. [REUTERS/YONHAP]
Growing up in Quebec, Canada, I experienced firsthand how deeply sport can shape communities and connect people. Like many Canadian children, I spent long winters playing hockey outdoors, dreaming about international competitions and following athletes who seemed larger than life. In Canada, sport was never only about competition; it was also about community, identity and shared experience. Local arenas and neighborhood rinks were places where friendships were formed, communities gathered and young people learned values such as teamwork, resilience and respect.
I also vividly remember watching the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games from Canada. Even then, Seoul projected something remarkable to the world: energy, ambition, warmth and confidence. For many Canadians of my generation, the Seoul Summer Olympic Games became one of our earliest impressions of modern Korea’s arrival on the global stage.
Today, nearly four decades later, sport continues to connect our countries in meaningful ways.
As the world prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Canada is proud to co-host the tournament alongside the United States and Mexico. It will be the largest FIFA World Cup in history, spanning three countries, 16 host cities and millions of supporters from around the globe.
But beyond the scale of the tournament lies something equally important: the spirit of cooperation behind it.
At a time when the world faces increasing geopolitical uncertainty and fragmentation, the World Cup offers a powerful reminder that countries can still work together toward a shared objective. Hosting a tournament of this magnitude requires extraordinary coordination — from transportation and infrastructure to security, technology and people-to-people exchanges. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is not only a sporting event; it is also a demonstration of international partnership in practice.
Canada approaches this responsibility with humility and excitement.
As one of only a few countries to have hosted both the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the Men’s World Cup, Canada has developed significant experience in delivering inclusive, safe and globally connected sporting events. We see sport not only as competition, but also as a platform that brings communities together across cultures, languages and borders.
These values resonate strongly with Korea.
Canadians still remember Korea’s extraordinary run during the 2002 FIFA World Cup, when the “Red Devils” captivated global audiences with their passion, discipline and national unity. That tournament left a lasting impression on football fans around the world — including in Canada.
Today, Korean football continues to inspire global audiences through players such as Son Heung-min, whose leadership, talent and sportsmanship have made him one of the most respected figures in international football. Canadians also remember former national team captain Lee Young-pyo, who notably played in Canada later in his career, contributing to a growing awareness of Korean football among Canadian fans.
Beyond football, Korean athletes more broadly have long occupied a special place in the hearts of Canadians. Many Canadians fondly recall the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics, where Kim Yuna delivered a historic gold medal performance that captivated audiences across the country. More recently, Kim served as an honorary ambassador for the 60th anniversary of Canada–Korea diplomatic relations in 2023, reflecting the enduring people-to-people ties that continue to bring our countries closer together.
Figure skater Kim Yuna practices during an official training session for the Vancouver Winter Olympics at Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver, Canada, on Feb. 23, 2010. [JOONGANG ILBO]
Sport has also become an increasingly important bridge between Canada and Korea.
From youth exchanges and university partnerships to professional athletes and cultural collaborations, people-to-people connections through sport continue to deepen. As co-host of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Canada hopes to welcome not only football fans from Korea, but also a new generation of visitors, students, entrepreneurs and creators eager to experience Canada firsthand.
This spirit of openness is central to Canada’s identity.
Canada is home to people from every part of the world, including a vibrant Korean Canadian community that has helped shape our society for generations. During the World Cup, visitors will encounter not only world-class matches, but also communities that reflect the diversity, creativity and inclusiveness that define modern Canada.
For Canada, co-hosting the tournament is both an honor and a responsibility. It is an opportunity to demonstrate what international cooperation can achieve — and to welcome the world with optimism, friendship and respect.
As we look toward the games starting on June 11, Canada looks forward to cheering alongside Korean fans and welcoming Team Korea to North America. In a rapidly changing world, sport continues to remind us of something simple but enduring: that shared experiences still have the power to bring people closer together.
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