Collaboration created meaningful pathways for diverse leaders to gain hands-on experience at the FIFA World Cup 2026™ in Canada

Whitby, ON — September 11, 2026 — Inclusion in Canadian Sports Network (ICSN) is celebrating the successful completion of the FIFA26 Canada x ICSN Volunteer Program, a national initiative designed to create meaningful leadership and professional development opportunities for Black, Indigenous, and racialized leaders through the FIFA26 Canada Volunteer Program.

The initiative grew from discussions between FIFA26 Canada and ICSN that began in 2024, focused on identifying meaningful ways to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in Canadian sport and create opportunities for communities that continue to be underrepresented within the sport system.

Through the collaboration, 26 volunteers from seven provinces across Canada were selected to participate, with representation from Ontario, British Columbia, Manitoba, Alberta, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Saskatchewan. An additional 37 individuals from ICSN’s Game Changers Network accessed general volunteer opportunities through a dedicated registration code, extending the initiative’s reach even further.

The selected cohort brought together Emerging BIPOC Leaders, Game Changers, students, community leaders, sport leaders and newcomers, representing a wide range of cultures, backgrounds and lived experiences from across Canada.

From Opportunity to Experience

For ICSN, the program was intentionally designed to be more than a volunteer placement. It created a pathway for participants to gain practical experience, develop professional skills, build relationships and contribute directly to the delivery of one of the world’s largest sporting events.

Participants supported the FIFA26 Canada Volunteer Centres in Toronto and Vancouver during the recruitment phase, assisting with daily operations, bringing the volunteer spaces to life and guiding applicants through their volunteer journey. During tournament operations, participants moved into a range of functional-area volunteer roles, with opportunities to take on additional leadership responsibilities and gain hands-on experience within a major international sporting event.

The impact of those opportunities was reflected in participants’ own experiences following the tournament.

Phillip Kagoma, who volunteered with the Access Management team in Toronto, described the opportunity as an “incredible experience” and reflected on the power of sport to bring people and cultures together.

For Lara Soubihe, volunteering with the Arrivals & Departures team provided a new perspective on the work required behind the scenes to deliver an event of this scale. She shared that the experience strengthened her passion for the sport industry and reinforced her desire to continue building a career in the field.

Muskan Sehgal similarly reflected on the significance of representing the city she immigrated to and grew up in while participating in a once-in-a-lifetime global sporting event, while recognizing ICSN’s role in supporting BIPOC leaders in sport.

Together, these experiences demonstrate the broader purpose behind the initiative: creating access to spaces where emerging leaders can contribute, learn, build networks and see themselves as part of the future of Canada’s sport system.

A National Approach to Representation

With volunteers coming from coast to coast, the program demonstrated what intentional inclusion can look like when access and leadership development are built into major sporting events.

The 26 selected volunteers included 11 from Ontario, 4 from British Columbia, 4 from Manitoba, 3 from Alberta, 2 from Nova Scotia, 1 from New Brunswick and 1 from Saskatchewan.

Beyond geographic representation, participants reflected a rich diversity of cultures, heritages and identities and included leaders at different stages of their professional and community journeys.

“This program demonstrated what can happen when inclusion moves beyond conversation and becomes opportunity. Our participants weren’t simply present at the FIFA World Cup 2026 — they contributed, learned, built relationships and gained experience that they can carry forward into their careers and communities. We are incredibly proud of every volunteer who represented ICSN and grateful to FIFA26 Canada for working with us to create a pathway that reflected the diversity, talent and leadership that exists across Canada.”
— Shauna Bookal, President & CEO, Inclusion in Canadian Sports Network

Building a Legacy Beyond the Tournament

While the FIFA World Cup 2026 provided an extraordinary platform, the impact of the FIFA26 Canada x ICSN Volunteer Program extends beyond the tournament itself.

For ICSN, creating a more inclusive Canadian sport system means ensuring that historically underrepresented communities have opportunities not only to participate in sport, but to gain experience, build networks and develop as the administrators, coaches, officials, volunteers and leaders who will shape its future.

The FIFA26 Canada x ICSN Volunteer Program represents one example of how partnerships can turn commitments to diversity and inclusion into tangible opportunities.

The program’s success reinforces a simple principle at the heart of ICSN’s work: representation matters, but access, experience and pathways are what allow representation to grow into lasting change.

As ICSN continues its work across Canada, the organization will build on the connections, experiences and lessons generated through the initiative to create further opportunities for diverse leaders throughout the Canadian sport system.

More than volunteering. Building the future of sport.