FIFA president Gianni Infantino attended Canada’s 1-0 friendly loss to Australia on Friday with Prime Minister Mark Carney as he sought to drum up support for the co-hosting of the men’s World Cup next year.

While much of the attention has been on main hosts the United States and political rivals Mexico for the first ever three-nation World Cup June 11-July 19, Toronto and Vancouver will also host matches.

“(It’s) a World Cup in which – and we agreed with the prime minister on that – in which the whole of Canada, the whole of the country has to participate, has to be part, has to feel being part of it, with fan zones everywhere, with celebrations everywhere, with schools being involved in programmes,” Infantino said in a FIFA statement.

“So, we want the whole country to feel this World Cup. And we are working on some activities, some events in preparation of the World Cup that will create this enthusiasm.”

Infantino, who will hold the FIFA Congress in Vancounver in April, even spoke to Canada’s players after their defeat in Montreal.

“Congratulations to all of you for what you have done, what you do, what you will do next year. You have to be proud, because what we’ve seen, even tonight, you brought, with your engagement, the public with you, the people with you. You touch their hearts,” he said.

Carney, whose country also took part in 1986 and 2022 but went out in the group stages, added: “Apart from his expert management of the world’s greatest game, president Infantino has made it a priority in men’s and women’s football – ‘soccer’, we say – to build friendship and unity through sports. So, it’s a pleasure to have you here.”