By Tyler Waugh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Mount Pearl will be the first stop on a nationwide tour to celebrate the 2026 FIFA (International Federation of Association Football) World Cup being hosted this summer by Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Deputy Mayor Nicole Kieley outlined some of the initial details for the June 1 event at council’s April 28 public meeting, including plans for a viewing party for an exhibition game between Canada and Uzbekistan being played in Edmonton.
Kieley said the public viewing will take place on a large outdoor screen located at the Team Gushue Complex.
“I can’t think of a better way to come together and celebrate as a community. In fact, as a province and as a country,” she added.
The viewing takes place starting at around 10:30 p.m. and runs until near midnight, Kieley said, and due to the global broadcast, an exemption of the City’s noise bylaw will be granted to extend the broadcast beyond 11 p.m.
Canada Celebrates is a tour that was announced a few weeks ago. It will make 38 stops in 34 cities from Halifax to Whitehorse between June 1 and July 19 that is expected to bring festivities to within a two-hour drive for 75 per cent of Canadians.
Besides the viewing parties, it is anticipated there will be other festivities at the various stops.
Kieley said the city will also be hosting an event associated with Canada Celebrates between 4 p.m. and 4:30 that same day, but more details will be shared later as organizers are still looking to finalize the logistics. She said to follow the City’s social media for more of those details when they are ready.