Federal government to help fund World Cup games in Toronto with $104M
Toronto has scored federal funding to help pay for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but the cash-strapped city is still on the hook for nearly half the hosting costs.
At a press conference at BMO Field on Friday morning, Federal Minister of Sport and Physical Activity Carla Qualtrough announced Ottawa would put $104 million toward the six games the city is set to stage for the global soccer tournament.
“I’m very committed to ensuring that we welcome the world like only Canada can, with warm hearts, friendly smiles and renowned hospitality,” said Qualtrough.
“Toronto will showcase the best that Ontario and Canada has to offer, as one of the most dynamic sports cities in the world. Soccer is the world’s game, and in 2026, the world is coming to Canada.”
The federal funding will go toward capital and operating costs for the Toronto matches, which will be played at BMO Field — renamed “Toronto Stadium” during the event — from June 12 and July 2, 2026.
Earlier this week the federal government announced it would provide Vancouver, the other Canadian World Cup host city, with $116 million for its seven games, bringing its total contribution to more than $220 million.
Qualtrough said her government will also “absorb” the increased costs of security, intelligence, work visas, and other federal services during the tournament, which will require coordination between 40 federal departments and agencies.
Mayor Olivia Chow welcomed the announcement.
“Today is a great day to be a soccer fan in the city of Toronto,” she said, adding that the money “will help us welcome hundreds and thousands of people to our city (to) showcase Toronto to the world.”
However, the federal government’s contribution falls short of the funding level allowed under its policy for hosting international sporting events, which says Ottawa will cover up to 35 per cent of total costs.
With two years to go and budget overruns still possible, Toronto staff have estimated the price tag for the half-dozen games at $380 million. The Ontario government has already committed up to $97 million, and after Friday’s announcement the city will be responsible for $179 million.
Toronto is struggling through a financial crisis and had a $1.8 billion shortfall headed into this year’s budget. Asked why the city should pay more than the senior levels of government, Chow said Toronto has agreed to host “and we cannot look back.”
“We’re excited because it’s going to impact Toronto in a most fabulous way,” she said.
But the mayor added that she has created a steering committee to raise funds from the private sector and lower the financial burden on the city. David Soknacki, the former city budget chief Chow has tapped as her FIFA envoy, said he hopes the effort will bring in tens of millions of dollars. The committee will also be tasked with keeping the tournament on budget.
Although Chow and other city officials say the games will deliver major economic benefits to Toronto, the event has faced criticism over rising costs.
When council first voted to join the joint North American bid in 2018, staff estimated the hosting bill would come to just $30 million to $45 million. As the Star has previously reported, city staff signed on to the bid despite not meeting council’s requirement of securing funding from the other levels of government beforehand.
The federal government expects the tournament to generate $2 billion in economic activity across Canada, including $395 million in visitor spending and $350 million in tax revenue.
This article was first reported by The Star
