Dwayne Morgan has plans for the upcoming FIFA World Cup

By Neil Armstrong

In the summer when Toronto co-hosts the FIFA World Cup 2026, there will also be an accompanying FIFA Fan Festival held at Fort York National Historic Site and The Bentway.

“Experience live broadcasts of matches on large screens, music, art, food and unforgettable vibes at this free, all-aged festival. It’s where Toronto’s global heartbeat meets the beautiful game – a place to cheer, dance, snack and celebrate with fans from around the world,” notes the City of Toronto website dedicated to information about the international football competition.

Over the next two months, Dwayne Morgan, Canadian artist and motivational speaker, will be trying to find artists representing all 48 countries competing for a series of shows he is planning to infuse arts and culture around the tournament at a time when people show so much pride for where they come from.

“I think it’s going to end up being 12 shows that we’re going to produce and each show is based on the groupings of the different countries. So, before Group A starts to play there will be a show and one performer in the show will represent each of the countries,” he says, noting that it is a way to bring supporters together in a room before they become adversaries the next day when the match starts.

Each grouping has approximately four countries and Morgan says the shows will be held in the first two weeks of the World Cup. One will be held before the final game and showcase the two countries that make it to the finals.

Morgan says it is a way for individuals to be exposed to each other’s culture. The challenge for his 3-member Spoken Soul Collective is to find artists representing the different countries.

He will also tap into the arts and culture scene and some of the consulates. Morgan says the Collective will be hard at work trying to make the show as dynamic and engaging as possible.

“We know there’s going to be a lot of energy, there’s going to be a lot of people so we wanted to make sure that arts and culture were represented, that it wasn’t just let’s drink a beer and cheer on our team and be in the streets. We really want to bring people together in a whole different way that is still in the spirit of football and the World Cup.”

Canada will host 13 matches in Toronto and Vancouver, with Mexico and the United States also hosting matches.

Toronto says the 2026 FIFA World Cup reflects its “World in a City” identity, highlighting the city’s passion for soccer and multicultural communities. With more teams, matches, and host cities, the tournament is expected to be the most inclusive ever. Officials anticipate major economic, cultural, and community benefits, including thousands of jobs, global visitors, hundreds of millions in economic impact, and long-term growth in local soccer through improved facilities, coaching, and participation.

Toronto will host six matches, kicking off on June 12, with the first-ever men’s FIFA World Cup match on Canadian soil and featuring Canada’s Men’s National Team. The city is also hosting a round of 32 match on July 2.

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