With just six months remaining until the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins, tournament organizers in Canada express pride over their preparations while acknowledging the work still needed. Vancouver and Toronto are set to be prominent host cities, with Vancouver slated to hold seven games and Toronto six, including Canada's inaugural group stage match on June 12.
Both cities are actively renovating their stadiums, developing strategies to accommodate a significant influx of international visitors, and establishing safety protocols for residents and tourists alike. Peter Montopoli, Canada’s chief tournament officer, candidly stated, “I don’t know if anyone’s ready to host a tournament right now, to be honest with you. I think we’ve done the work, but now it gets into stadium preparedness... We’ll be ready, but I’m not sure anybody’s really ready to do the World Cup today.”
The tournament is set to commence on June 11, with initial matches in Mexico City and Guadalajara, concluding with the championship on July 19 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The event will feature 104 games across 16 cities in Canada, the United States, and Mexico, though the specific matchups for each stadium will not be disclosed until the final draw on Friday.
Toronto has embraced the slogan “The World in a City” to welcome soccer enthusiasts from around the globe. Sharon Bollenbach, the city's executive director for the tournament, emphasized the importance of creating a home-like atmosphere for all countries represented. She expressed excitement for the diverse celebrations that will unfold across the city.
The financial implications of hosting the six games in Toronto amount to an estimated $380 million, with the federal government contributing $104 million and the province adding $97 million. The city is responsible for approximately 47 percent of the total cost, roughly $178.7 million. Bollenbach reassured that organizers are committed to staying within this budget despite potential overruns, highlighting areas where savings have been found.
A significant portion of the budget, approximately $146 million, is dedicated to renovating BMO Field. The city is investing $123 million into the upgrades, while Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment will contribute $23 million. The first phase of renovations included new video boards in each stadium corner, along with enhancements to sound, lighting, and WiFi services. This phase concluded in September as the local teams, Toronto FC and the Toronto Argonauts, completed their seasons.
The current renovations center around adding 17,000 temporary seats to bring BMO Field’s capacity up to FIFA's minimum requirement of 45,000. Meanwhile, work is also in progress at Centennial Park in Etobicoke, which will serve as a training venue for teams competing in Toronto. Bollenbach noted that this facility will benefit the community even after the World Cup concludes, promoting a lasting legacy beyond the tournament.
Efforts are ongoing to manage the anticipated influx of international fans, with city officials currently refining traffic management plans based on FIFA’s match schedule. Enhancements to public transit will be made to facilitate the flow of large crowds, and some city staff have even observed major soccer events in Europe to glean insights into fan behavior and logistics.
In Vancouver, preparations are also progressing, with the first game scheduled for June 13. Chris May, general manager of B.C. Place, indicated a growing awareness and excitement within the community regarding the World Cup’s significance. The city recently passed new bylaws aimed at facilitating the event, which include increased noise limits and expedited procedures for graffiti removal, as well as provisions for temporary fan zones.
According to the B.C. government, the overall cost of hosting seven games in Vancouver is estimated to be between $532 million and $624 million, with nearly $196 million allocated for upgrades to B.C. Place. The stadium, which has been operational since 1983 and has hosted notable events including the 2010 Olympic ceremonies, is undergoing significant renovations to improve various facilities, such as locker rooms and hospitality areas.
May confirmed that the renovations are on track, attributing the decision not to schedule many events over the winter to ensure timely completion of the upgrades. An enhanced scoreboard and additional elevators are among the planned transformations, which aim to improve accessibility and overall experience for attendees. A temporary grass field is also being developed, with grass sourced from the Fraser Valley to be installed shortly before the tournament begins.
In summary, while both Toronto and Vancouver are making significant strides in preparation for the World Cup, they are also cooperating at a national level to ensure safety and security during the event. While specific details of these plans remain under wraps, Montopoli reassured that extensive efforts have been in place for years to address potential challenges associated with hosting such a large-scale tournament.
