So here’s where I begin, where I was hired to be an Executive Chauffeur with FIFA for almost a month, driving several important individuals to different locations in the Greater Toronto Area. I most certainly cannot say who or where for 2 main reasons; One, I signed a non disclosure agreement and two, all clients deserve the privacy to which they are entitled to. Both of those reasons go hand in hand with the respect that I give to all people as they go about their daily lives, especially doing their own business transactions.
It was an absolute honour to be a part of FIFA 2026. What I can say as it is public knowledge, is that I was involved in several Motorcade escorts, much bigger than I was ever involved in as a Toronto Police Officer. The Police motor bikes with sirens and flashing lights, mainly from Toronto but which involved several other Police departments, were a beautiful sight to remember for the ages. The skill that was displayed by these units, certainly was engraved in the memory of those who saw it and as sure as the sun rises, years of training by all, closing off intersections and roadways and expressways, with perfection and getting all safely to their destinations.
The FIFA representatives, different transportation Managers that tracked out our destinations and their were many, with fine time lines of a chronometer, each crafted their jobs with the precision of a Watchmaker. Moving between the absolute guidelines of clients and to relay coordinates to the Chauffeurs, was something that these coordinators and Managers of transportation should be commended for. This great city hosting the FIFA World Cup 2026, showed the world how to put the polish on the boots for the parade.
The Security was exceptional, from where clients were staying, where they were coming from and going to and surrounding the Toronto stadium, just a wow factor with a bow neatly tied around it. Yes, every department had its work cut out, but you know that famous line; ‘at the end of the day’, our Police Officers from all over the greater Toronto area and the FIFA security staff, coordinated and built a masterpiece that was on full display. I was so proud everyday to watch them do their jobs with professionalism, as I had the honour and priveledge to have worked with many of them before I retired.
Then there’s the games at the forefront. I admit it, I am a soccer/football nut, crazy for the beautiful games. I’ll watch them anytime of day, in any language. I grew up playing soccer for many years, mostly in Mandeville, Jamaica, at a boys private boarding school, where it rained till the clouds ran out of water, but few teams ever beat us in the rain, you know, through the large puddles kicking the ball hard and it only went 3 inches when it should have gone 3 miles! I miss the guys I played with, Larry, Douggie, Pepe, Stevie D, Nick, Alwyn, Beno and you see, I shouldn’t have started. In 1973 we won the Jamaica all Island private school Adidas Cup, one we are always proud of.
Thats what these great sporting events do, they create memories and bring back the good ones that happened over 50 years ago. What a beautiful thing. All 3 of my children were in soccer and at young ages, I coached them all for several years. Now in their 30’s they too have special memories to look back on.
However, the best is saved for last. Again, its the special memories that you make, the other Executive Chauffeurs that I was so lucky to meet and the many others that were at this FIFA event working in different capacities that I had not seen in years!
At the last minute, after working the Toronto FIFA World Cup 2026 event, myself and 3 other Executive Chauffeurs were invited to New York New Jersey to work the final of the World Cup, again as Executive Chauffeurs in transportation. I guess theres several ways to get to the World Cup, even though we didn’t go inside the stadium, you should have seen how happy and excited we were on the outside!
I guess thats why I love football, the beautiful game.