Following a change of opinion from the province, FIFA has already named Vancouver as the official candidate for the Games during the 2026 Men’s World Cup, co-organized by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
In a statement, the international football organization said both the province and the city of Vancouver had applied to join the host candidate process, with BC Place being offered a stadium.
“… as well as the recent inspection visit by a FIFA delegation, the governing body of world football has agreed to accept the city’s candidacy,” it said.
BC Place is owned by the province. According to earlier reports, Vancouver could host between three and five games if elected. Toronto and Edmonton are also potential host cities in Canada.
Melanie Mark, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sports, told the CBC that the estimated cost of hosting games is between $ 240 million and $ 260 million. She said FIFA aims to announce the list of successful candidates next month.
In 2018, the then Minister of Tourism of British Columbia Lisa Bear said that officials considering the offer were cannot clarify how much the province is expected to contribute to the cost of hosting. Bear said the terms presented by the commission include the possibility for FIFA to unilaterally change the stadium agreement at any time.
But Mark said the pandemic had prompted Prime Minister John Horgan to authorize his ministry to support the recovery of the tourism and sports sectors from the impact of COVID-19.
“We are at different times,” she said. “The world has been frozen for two years due to the global health pandemic. And tourism, art, culture and sports, people couldn’t get together, they couldn’t celebrate … It’s an opportunity to support our economy and support jobs, and that’s the main goal. “
According to Mark, the economic impact of gaming hosting could reach $ 1 billion by 2029.
Last month, Mayor Kennedy Stewart announced that Vancouver would invest up to $ 5 million in a provincial bid to bring the 2026 World Cup matches to the city, more than tripling the $ 1.5 million the city spent on hosting World Cup matches. Women’s Cup in 2015 in Vancouver.
The 2026 tournament will bring together 48 nations, compared to 32 at the 2022 Men’s World Championships in Qatar, which begins in November.
60 of the 80 games in 2026 are expected to be played in the United States, with Canada and Mexico hosting 10 each.
Canada’s men’s soccer team recently qualified for this year’s World Cup. As a host nation, Canada will automatically enter the tournament in 2026.
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