Article published: May 18, 00:31 a.m.
Article updated: May 18, 11:50 a.m.

For the first time in its 96-year history, the FIFA World Cup will be held across three countries. Aren’t you glad you weren’t tasked with coming up with the logo to represent three very passionate yet distinctly different cultures?

The official logo for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be held in the United States, Mexico, and right here in Canada, was unveiled Wednesday at the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles with the help of FIFA president Gianni Infantino and Brazilian legend Ronaldo.

As you might expect, the logo drew mixed reaction on soccer Twitter.

Nothing screams America about this logo, which is a far cry from the stars and stripes adorned USA94 crest that emblazons so many hats you find in hipster neighbourhoods around the continent and Seattle coffee shops.

Nothing screams Canada about this logo, which must be a disappointment to many of the men and women that thought the only way Canada would play at a men’s World Cup again, would be to actually host it.

Nothing screams Mexico about this logo, which is shocking for a country that has hosted the men’s showcase twice.

It simply doesn’t compare to the logos of previous World Cups and lacks a lot of the character and individuality that makes so many of them so very special to the host nation. This one is so… bland.

It doesn’t get much better when you look at the specific designs for Toronto and Vancouver.

We’d love to know the rationale behind the yellow-green and blue colour scheme for Toronto? Perhaps a nod to Toronto FC’s one win and two defeats against the Seattle Sounders in three MLS Cups between 2016 and 2019? Probably not.

At least the Vancouver logo is a little better? There’s also an explanation for its blue colour scheme.

“Vancouver’s design showcases vibrant, nature-inspired colours on dynamic patterns that represent the majestic mountains and the waters that surround the city,” read a release.

In terms of the basic universal logo design, a FIFA official told national media on Wednesday, “the drive behind the design was to make the brand inclusive and simple and highly customizable across multiple platforms.”

The design was led by FIFA’s in-house branding team, with input from several unnamed consulting agencies.

Hard to believe the 2026 FIFA World Cup is just three years and one month away, isn’t it?