How Toronto hopes to pay for the 2026 World Cup: ‘If you can make money doing it, you should'
To host six matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Toronto has had to get creative to come up with the funding needed to pull off an international sporting event of this size — including some previously untested strategies and a first-ever local sponsorship deal.
But less than one year away from the opening kickoff of the largest version of the global soccer showcase, some key questions about money remain that could throw a wrench into the city's budgeting plans.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Xabi Alonso drops Al Hilal line up hint in brutal training session
The Xabi Alonso era at Real Madrid kicks off on June 18 in Miami as Los Blancos get their FIFA World Cup campaign underway. On the back of a frustrating regular season, the club made the call to dispense with Carlo Ancelotti, as Alonso landed as his immediate replacement. Advertisement A three-year contract shows the faith the club have in the former Bayer Leverkusen coach as he looks to put his stamp on the squad. The June international break meant a limited window of time to work with his new players and Alonso has set up a training boot camp in Florida ahead of facing Al Hilal. Xabi Alonso's brutal training message to Real Madrid stars The Basque tactician is known for his ruthless physical training and a desire to mirror some aspects of his Leverkusen XI will require players to be in peak shape. Running and pressing is a non-negotiable for Alonso as observed by on-the-ground journalist Javier Herraez. Image via Real Madrid Confidencial Advertisement 'Whoever doesn't run and make an effort will not play, it's as simple as that with Alonso,' as per SER, via Mundo Deportivo. '[For the attackers] they're going to have to put pressure on the opposition centre backs all the time to stay in his team.' Real Madrid vs. Al Hilal team news Alonso is keeping his cards close to his chest over his starting line up plans against the Saudi Pro League side. However, as per Herraez, two calls have already been confirmed with new singings Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold both in line for debut starts. Trent will line up at right-back in a four-man defensive unit, with Huijsen centrally alongside Antonio Rudiger, and Fran Garcia at left-back. Ferland Mendy has remained in Madrid to continue treatment on a long-standing injury issue with Los Blancos still in the hunt for Alvaro Carreras their new left-back.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
7 hours ago
- First Post
Why Italy feel 2006 World Cup-winner Gennaro Gattuso is the right man to lead Azzurri
Italy appointed former midfielder Gennaro Gattuso, who has managed leading clubs such as AC Milan and Napoli in the past, as their new coach after Luciano Spalletti was sacked following a 0-3 defeat to Norway in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers. read more Gennaro Gattuso was named the new coach of the Italian men's football team after the FIGC decided to sack Luciano Spalletti. AP In their desperation to avoid missing out on the FIFA World Cup for a third consecutive time, the Italian football federation (FIGC) named former Milan and Napoli manager Gennaro Gattuso as Italy's coach on Sunday. The development comes a week after Luciano Spalletti was sacked from the post after two years in charge following a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Norway on Saturday, 7 June during the ongoing Qualifiers for next year's FIFA World Cup. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Former midfielder Gattuso was part of the Marcello Lippi-coached Italian team that had defeated France on penalties to win the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. More from Football And the Italian federation is hopeful of the fact that the 47-year-old, who had coached Napoli to the Coppa Italia title in 2020, will be able to pull off something similar as manager, provided Azzurri are able to qualify for the tournament. FIGC president Gabriele Gravina, for one, describes Gattuso as a 'symbol of Italian football', and is banking on his 'professionalism and experience' for the four-time world champions to return to the World Cup after a 12-year gap. 'Gattuso is a symbol of Italian football – the blue jersey is like a second skin for him. His motivations, his professionalism and his experience will be fundamental to best face the upcoming commitments of the National Team,' Gravina said in an official statement on Gattuso's appointment. 'Aware of the importance of the objective we want to achieve, I thank him for the availability and total dedication with which he has received this challenge, sharing the FIGC project for the overall development of our football, in which the blue jersey plays a strategic central role,' he added. Can Gattuso keep Italy's World Cup dream alive? After failing to qualify for the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups – while winning the Euro in 2021 – Italy began their qualification campaign for next year's tournament that will be jointly hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico with a lopsided defeat against Norway, in which Manchester City star Erling Haaland scored the third goal. Spalletti, who was informed of his ouster after the 3-0 defeat, oversaw a 2-0 win over Moldova in his final game in charge. Despite the win coming against a side ranked 154th in the world, it has brought Italy's campaign back on track and revived their hopes of reaching the Finals. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The first round of the UEFA leg of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers comprises 12 groups – six of them have four teams each and the remaining have an additional team. Italy are part of Group I, a five-team group in which they currently are ranked third with three points after their victory over Moldova. Each team plays the remaining sides twice on a home-and-away basis. The format of the UEFA World Cup qualifiers is such that the 12 group winners gain direct entry into the tournament while the runners-up will be joined by the four best-placed teams amongst UEFA Nations League group winners which finished outside the top two in their World Cup Qualifying group. Italy had finished second in their Nations League group last year, meaning they will have to finish among the top two for them to keep their World Cup dream alive. They face Israel and Estonia, currently ranked second and fourth respectively in their group, in their next fixtures in September and victories in those games should boost their chances of a top-two finish. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Time of India
‘My home was falling apart': Shakira breaks silence on betrayal, heartbreak, & Piqué's alleged affair
Shakira, the Colombian pop star known for global hits and unmatched stage presence, recently shared insights on how life has changed since her 2022 breakup with Spanish footballer Gerard Piqué. Speaking during the 2025 Grammy Awards—where she received the award for Best Latin Pop Album—Shakira opened up about the emotional challenges she's faced. In an interview with Live From E!, she said, 'Life hasn't always been kind,' hinting at the personal struggles she's worked through since the end of her long-term relationship. The couple's separation came after more than a decade together, during which they built a life and a family. Despite the difficulties, Shakira noted that the journey made her stronger. She referred back to her 2009 single, saying, 'The she-wolf is still here.' How it all began on the world stage Shakira and Piqué's relationship started in 2010 during the filming of her 'Waka Waka' music video for the FIFA World Cup. Their connection quickly turned romantic, and by 2011, the two had gone public. Over the years, they welcomed two sons—Milan and Sasha—and were often seen together at public events and family outings. In earlier interviews, Shakira had expressed her discomfort with the idea of marriage. Speaking with 60 Minutes in 2020, she admitted, 'Marriage scares the out of me,' explaining she preferred the dynamic of being a partner without the formal structure of marriage. Signs of trouble and the end of the relationship In mid-2022, signs of separation began to appear. Reports confirmed that Piqué was living separately from Shakira, and the couple later made their split official. According to People en Español, Shakira was going through an especially difficult time—she had just found out about Piqué's alleged infidelity with Clara Chia Marti while her father was in intensive care. 'Everything happened at once,' she told the publication. 'My home was falling apart.' Following the breakup, Shakira released music that reflected her personal struggles, some tracks seemingly addressing themes of betrayal and emotional pain. Career sacrifices and a renewed focus on independence Shakira also spoke about the career sacrifices she made for the relationship. In an interview with The Sunday Times, she revealed that she had paused her professional life 'to be next to Gerard, so he could play football.' The time she invested in family life came at the cost of several opportunities, but she emphasized that she now feels more self-reliant than ever. 'I feel complete,' she said in an earlier 2023 interview with Canal Estrellas. Despite the hardships, Shakira appears focused on her music and personal growth.
