Soccer in Canada | Canada Hosting the 2026 World Cup

[blueandgoldguy]

Originally Posted by logan5

If I recall correctly, Canada would be getting 2 round of 16 games. I wonder if that's where the 2 extra games to Vancouver comes from, given the huge disparity between BMO and BC Place. That would be huge for Vancouver as you would likely see at least a couple high profile soccer countries like Brazil or France playing here.

Maybe things have changed, as I thought I heard Mexico would at least be getting one elimination game, but when the initial announcements were made for the World Cup a few years ago, it was stated that Mexico and Canada would not receive any matches beyond the initial 2 round robin portions of the tournament...so nothing for the round of 16 and beyond.

[blueandgoldguy]

Originally Posted by Al Ski

I don't what the excitement is about. FIFA has entered maximum grift phase with its new b.s. 48-team format. We're going to host 8 group stage games and a couple of knockout games. Everything from the quarter finals on will be in the U.S.
Does anyone remember where any early round games were played in any previous World Cup?
The U.S. offloaded the preliminary crap onto us and hogged the high profile matches.

What a scam!

And BMO Field is going to be the most tragic stadium - by far - of the lot.
Although that in itself may make it 'memorable'.

Well if Canada is getting some elimination games as I keep seeing here, then that is a bonus as the initial announcement a few years ago stated Canada would not be receiving any of those games.

[Djeffery]

Originally Posted by Al Ski

Does anyone remember where any early round games were played in any previous World Cup?
The U.S. offloaded the preliminary crap onto us and hogged the high profile matches.

No, nor do I remember where the later round games were either. Hell, I'd have to look up the host countries for the last few. I know there was Russia and South Africa in there somewhere. Shit, I would have to stop and think about recent Olympics as well. Point is, it's a small number of people who actually pay close attention to where the games are played. The rest of the billion people watching at some point won't care, they are just after their team. Canada and Mexico are just tag alongs on this bid anyway, the US could have probably got the entire tournament themselves again.

[logan5]

Originally Posted by blueandgoldguy

Maybe things have changed, as I thought I heard Mexico would at least be getting one elimination game, but when the initial announcements were made for the World Cup a few years ago, it was stated that Mexico and Canada would not receive any matches beyond the initial 2 round robin portions of the tournament...so nothing for the round of 16 and beyond.

What I heard just this week was that all games from the quarter finals on (round of 8) would be played in the U.S. That suggests some round of 16 games would be played in Canada.

[mapleleaf66]

It is a shame Edmonton lost out. The atmosphere for the qualifier games here last Nov was fantastic. I went to both and the crowd was great. I saw Canada beat China(?) at the women's World Cup in 2015 where Christine Sinclair scored and that game was fantastic as well.

It is not just the game itself but all the hype and media attention prior to the matches that are what is most compelling. I had a friend attend a world cup match in France and he said the entire city he was in was on steroids. It was nothing but parties and fun atmosphere. Vancouver and Toronto are going to be going crazy, especially if there are big teams playing there.

Soccer fans in Edmonton are disappointed now but they'll feel even worse come 2026.

[Al Ski]

Originally Posted by mapleleaf66

It is a shame Edmonton lost out. The atmosphere for the qualifier games here last Nov was fantastic. I went to both and the crowd was great. I saw Canada beat China(?) at the women's World Cup in 2015 where Christine Sinclair scored and that game was fantastic as well.

It is not just the game itself but all the hype and media attention prior to the matches that are what is most compelling. I had a friend attend a world cup match in France and he said the entire city he was in was on steroids. It was nothing but parties and fun atmosphere. Vancouver and Toronto are going to be going crazy, especially if there are big teams playing there.

Soccer fans in Edmonton are disappointed now but they'll feel even worse come 2026.

Edmonton dodged a costly bullet.

FIFA is a criminal organization that siphons taxpayer money from dupe cities.

There have been umpteen studies that prove that, at best, hosting these boondoggles may at best be revenue neutral - and that's only if you host the final.

And we're just hosting a bunch of newly-created, b.s. garbage matches.

We're not hosting the World Cup, we're just hosting FIFA grift garbage matches.

Vancouver and Toronto are willing dupes - they'll get stuck with the bills and little to show.

There's not going to be any significant 'tourist boom' it's just going to redirect local money that would be otherwise spent.

And if you thought you were going to get some sort of 'World Wide Exposure' then I have to ask - do you watch sports, at all?

[Metro-One]

Originally Posted by Al Ski

Edmonton dodged a costly bullet.

FIFA is a criminal organization that siphons taxpayer money from dupe cities.

There have been umpteen studies that prove that, at best, hosting these boondoggles may at best be revenue neutral - and that's only if you host the final.

And we're just hosting a bunch of newly-created, b.s. garbage matches.

We're not hosting the World Cup, we're just hosting FIFA grift garbage matches.

Vancouver and Toronto are willing dupes - they'll get stuck with the bills and little to show.

There's not going to be any significant 'tourist boom' it's just going to redirect local money that would be otherwise spent.

And if you thought you were going to get some sort of 'World Wide Exposure' then I have to ask - do you watch sports, at all?

You sound like a very joyful person to hang out with.

Don’t think I have ever seen a post from you that isn’t negative.

[Al Ski]

Originally Posted by Metro-One

You sound like a very joyful person to hang out with.

Don’t think I have ever seen a post from you that isn’t negative.

I appreciate your substantive and well argued rebuttal.

I'm sure you're considered a genius on some other (less intellectually developed) planet.

[Metro-One]

Honestly I see little point in arguing with you.

All I know is as soccer fans my family is going to seize this opportunity.

My parents always wanted to experience the World Cup first hand, but never had the time or money.

Now they will be able to enjoy it in their backyard and are already planning on getting tickets for a game or two in Vancouver.

Even if you pessimistic ramblings about direct financial return are correct, there is also the social and cultural benefits of such events.

And before you respond, my parents don’t give a shit if the games they go to aren’t the semi finals or the quarter finals, it will be fun for them nonetheless.

Once I’m a life time experience!

[Al Ski]

Originally Posted by Metro-One

Honestly I see little point in arguing with you.

All I know is as soccer fans my family is going to seize this opportunity.

My parents always wanted to experience the World Cup first hand, but never had the time or money.

Now they will be able to enjoy it in their backyard and are already planning on getting tickets for a game or two in Vancouver.

Even if you pessimistic ramblings about direct financial return are correct, there is also the social and cultural benefits of such events.

And before you respond, my parents don’t give a shit if the games they go to aren’t the semi finals or the quarter finals, it will be fun for them nonetheless.

Once I’m a life time experience!

Well I'm happy for them!

Maybe FIFA can expand the next tournament to 96 teams and overcharge even more people for the World Cup 'Experience'.

Spread the 'joy'!

[canucklehead2]

As an Edmontonian I am... RAW.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by canucklehead2

As an Edmontonian I am... RAW.

If I was an Edmontonian I would say FU to the CSA for the forseeable future. Edmonton was a reliable money maker for them. Because of the extra 20k seats they could venture west when they don't really want to. BC is too far for the CMNT to travel to on a regular basis and the players don't want to have to fly that far, coming from Europe. Only recently has Toronto provided decent attendance for the Nats but that is a long way from the revenue Edmonton could generate.

[WhipperSnapper]

The whole thing is nonsensical. This will be remembered internationally as an American World Cup. With that out of the way, Federal dollars are at play for the games we do get to host. Population will be a consideration eventhough only 1% of Torontonians can be a spectator at any game. Also, it certainly doesn't create a great image to have both Montreal and Toronto not hosting. Edmonton would be a great host but, they aren't prone to be on those interweb lists unless upwards of 6 Canadian cities qualify.


The biggest complaint about the Skydome from when it still was called Skydome is the multiuse nature but, that always falls by the wayside when something like this comes up. It's a couple soccer matches. I don't see the point bending over backwards to accommodate them. The $100 million pricetag is already too much for the cash strapped city.

BMO is a perfectly adequate for the needs of Toronto. It's the home for MLS and the CFL. A 3 billion dollar stadium makes no sense here. I certainly would oppose Canada spending $15 billion to host a World Cup like Qatar and Russia.

[Acajack]

As a soccer fan and even bigger WC fan I am torn.

Certainly disappointed that Montréal pulled itself out of the running.

But it's also true that FIFA (like the IOC) has become a huge grift operation.

[canucklehead2]

Originally Posted by whippersnapper

the whole thing is nonsensical. This will be remembered internationally as an american world cup. With that out of the way, federal dollars are at play for the games we do get to host. Population will be a consideration eventhough only 1% of torontonians can be a spectator at any game. Also, it certainly doesn't create a great image to have both montreal and toronto not hosting. Edmonton would be a great host but, they aren't prone to be on those interweb lists unless upwards of 6 canadian cities qualify.


The biggest complaint about the skydome from when it still was called skydome is the multiuse nature but, that always falls by the wayside when something like this comes up. It's a couple soccer matches. I don't see the point bending over backwards to accommodate them. The $100 million pricetag is already too much for the cash strapped city.

Bmo is a perfectly adequate for the needs of toronto. It's the home for mls and the cfl. A 3 billion dollar stadium makes no sense here. I certainly would oppose canada spending $15 billion to host a world cup like qatar and russia.

tldr: Toronto snobberry.

[WhipperSnapper]

This is what's wrong with the world today when someone makes a conclusion without even fucking reading it! Of course, That doesn't mean my speculations on the decisions to not include Edmonton aren't Toronto centric but, that's also how things go in Canada; international recognition and pleasing as many people as possible despite stadium capacities representing a very small portion of any urban centre population.


I wouldn't preclude Toronto bowing out once the costs to the city of these World Cup matches are fully realized.

[canucklehead2]

I read it! It's the unstated stuff that speaks way louder. And I mean generally speaking not you.

[canucklehead2]

6th choice and will never do better. Got it.

[canucklehead2]

Aka the know your place ideology. That's so Toronto it hurts

[canucklehead2]

Aka better ask Toronto or Vancouver for permission for anything first. No.