Could Vancouver host 2026 World Cup? B.C. in ‘active discussions’ with FIFA

The best of the best in the world of soccer could be coming to Vancouver in four years’ time.

The Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport says B.C. is in “active discussions” to put the province — and Vancouver — into consideration.

“The FIFA World Cup 2026 is a once-in-a-generation opportunity that soccer fans from coast to coast and around the globe look forward to watching every four years,” Minister Melanie Mark says in an email to CityNews.

“Vancouver is a world-class city with one of the top stadiums in North America.”

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With all the attention the Canadian men’s soccer team is getting lately — sitting atop the octagon with three matches remaining in 2022 World Cup qualifying — sights have begun shifting to 2026 when North and Central America have been awarded the international championship.

Montreal has withdrawn its bid, leaving just Edmonton and Toronto as candidates in Canada.

B.C.’s sports ministry notes the toll the COVID-19 pandemic has taken on tourism in B.C., adding wildfires and floods over the past two years have also devastated local communities.

“The prospect of hosting the world’s largest single sport event and welcoming the world to Vancouver is a great opportunity not only for our tourism sector but also for our province,” the statement from Mark reads, adding “the unprecedented success of Canada’s men’s team on the road to the 2022 World Cup makes this opportunity even more exciting for soccer fans.”

Cost previously a concern

Last year, Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart said he was excited about the idea that his city could be a host in the 2026 competition.

“We’re spoilt for choice. And we’ve got to decide what’s the thing we want to do next,” he said.

“What I can say is that Vancouver is very good at hosting events — from the Olympics to Rugby Sevens, the FIFA Women’s World Cup. We know how to host world-class events. But we have a bit of reason to have caution,” Stewart noted at the time.

His comments came after Premier John Horgan said the province was prepared to “entertain” the possibility of hosting the World Cup in Vancouver.

Previously, concerns remained about the price tag associated with hosting the tournament in B.C.

Horgan readdressed the matter this month, saying the province was in a better place now than it was during his previous comments. However, he noted the discussions do not mean there is a “blank cheque,” adding the goal of hosting the World Cup is to maximize the benefits of this potential opportunity for British Columbians.

Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. were selected over Morocco to host the 2026 tournament on June 13, 2018, by the 68th FIFA Congress in Moscow.

-With files from Nikitha Martins and The Canadian Press