Toronto kids are about to get a shot at living out every young soccer player’s dream: walking onto the field at a FIFA World Cup match.

Through a partnership between Kia and FIFA, 13 lucky kids will be chosen as official match ball carriers for games hosted in Toronto and Vancouver — including the highly anticipated opener at BMO Field on June 12, 2026, when Canada takes the pitch on home soil for the first time in World Cup history.

For Toronto families, the path to the pitch begins this fall. Regional tryouts are being held at the Soccer Centre in Vaughan on Saturday, Oct. 18, where five kids will be selected by a professional coach to advance to the National Final. From there, seven winners will go on to represent Canada at the Official Match Ball Carrier Cup in Los Angeles and ultimately step onto the field at a World Cup match.

Registration is already open and runs until Oct. 1 at 8 a.m., with just 150 spots available on a first-come, first-served basis. Boys 13 and under (born between April 1, 2012, and July 31, 2016) are eligible, and experience playing soccer is recommended since kids will be evaluated on technical skills, tactical awareness, and fitness.

For Toronto families who may not be signing up for the qualifiers, there’s still another opportunity: Kia’s Inspiring Stories program. Soon, nominations will open for boys and girls aged 10–14, giving even more young fans a chance to be part of the action.

The final seven selected from across Canada will attend training camp in Vaughan in February 2026 before taking their place in World Cup history. Not only will they deliver the official match ball to the referee, but they’ll also appear on live television during the broadcast — a moment families in Toronto and beyond won’t forget.

With Toronto set to host some of the most historic matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, this opportunity gives local kids a chance to experience the tournament not from the stands, but from centre pitch.