Volunteering at the 2026 World Cup in Canada: Do you need a permit?

The 2026 FIFA World Cup matches in Vancouver and Toronto are drawing soccer fans from across the globe, many of whom hope to volunteer at the tournament. BC Place in Vancouver and BMO Field in Toronto will host multiple matches, bringing an influx of international visitors. For many fans, volunteering is the only realistic way to get inside the stadium and experience the tournament up close without paying high ticket prices on the secondary market. However, entering Canada to perform unpaid activities is not as simple as booking a flight, packing a jersey, and showing up at the stadium gate. Under Canadian immigration law, many unpaid roles actually require formal work authorization. You cannot assume that a volunteer position is automatically exempt from standard visa requirements.

Before you book your flights to Toronto or Vancouver, you need to understand how Canadian authorities distinguish between genuine volunteer work and unpaid employment. Failing to secure the correct status can lead to being turned away at the border by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) or facing long-term penalties for working without authorization. The rules are strict, and border officers do not make exceptions for sports fans, regardless of how well-intentioned they are.

How Canadian immigration law defines work versus volunteering

The most common mistake international visitors make is assuming that "no pay" equals "no work permit required." In Canada, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) uses a broad definition of "work" that catches many people off guard