Latest news with #Montagliani
Vancouver Sun
10-06-2025
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
Moving Whitecaps from Vancouver would be 'a crime': FIFA vice-president
A vice-president of soccer's global governing body says moving the Vancouver Whitecaps would be 'a crime' and negatively impact the city's reputation after it hosts games at next year's World Cup. FIFA vice-president Victor Montagliani spoke at a Vancouver Board of Trade event Tuesday, telling the crowd that relocating the Major League Soccer club would suggest to the world that the city simply wanted to host a party and isn't actually serious about the sport. 'You don't want to come out of the World Cup and your professional football club is playing in Sacramento,' said Montagliani, who is also the president of CONCACAF, soccer's governing body in North and Central America and the Caribbean. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'That would be a bruise on the city.' The Whitecaps announced in December that the current ownership group — Greg Kerfoot, Steve Luczo, Jeff Mallett and former NBA star Steve Nash — had put the team up for sale. Speculation has since been rife that an out-of-town buyer will purchase the club and move it out of Vancouver. In April, the Whitecaps revealed that they are in talks with the City of Vancouver about building a new, soccer-specific stadium in the city. Club chief executive officer axel Schuster said at the time that those plans are intrinsically tied to the sale of the team. 'We are only working on one plan, one goal, and this is to keep the club in Vancouver and to find a very good setup for the future for this club in Vancouver,' he said. 'And part of all of this is to look in every possible option that might be needed to do this successfully.' Keeping the Whitecaps in Vancouver is key to continuing the city's love and support for soccer, Montagliani said on Tuesday. 'It is going to be a party — trust me. But it can't just be about a party,' he said. 'It's got to be about the youth. It's got to be about the game itself. And it's got to be about the continuation of the game.' He noted that Canada had to create its own league, the Canadian Premier League, in order to be eligible to bid for the 2026 World Cup. Losing one of the country's biggest teams would be a step backward, he said. 'To lose an MLS club on the back of the World Cup would be a capital crime, in my opinion,' he said. Montagliani is in his hometown of Vancouver to mark the one-year countdown to the tournament's kick off on June 11, 2026, when the first games will be played in Mexico City and Guadalajara. The final is set for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Vancouver and Toronto are among 16 host cities across Canada, the United States and Mexico. Vancouver will host seven matches across the tournament, starting on June 13, 2026, including five in the opening round, one in the round of 32 and one in the round of 16. Organizers in B.C. said in April 2024 that it will cost between $483 million and $581 million for Vancouver to host the tournament. That number includes costs to the city, the province and upgrades to B.C. Place . Renovations are currently underway at the 54,500-seat stadium, including new and upgraded suites, more and larger elevators, gender-neutral bathrooms, improved Wi-Fi and a new central video board. A natural grass pitch will also be installed. The B.C. government has said it expects the World Cup will generate enough revenue to result in a net cost of between $100 million and $145 million. Vancouver and Canada as a whole have a unique chance to create something special with the World Cup, Montagliani said. 'For me, it's an opportunity of a lifetime for Canada,' he said. 'Maybe this has done us a favour, in terms of what's going on (with U.S.-Canada relations), in terms of our Canadiana. I really think it's an opportunity for us to take a global game and make it ours.'
Hamilton Spectator
10-06-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Moving Whitecaps from Vancouver would be ‘a crime': FIFA vice president
VANCOUVER - A vice president of soccer's global governing body says moving the Vancouver Whitecaps would be 'a crime' and negatively impact the city's reputation after it hosts games at next year's World Cup. FIFA vice president Victor Montagliani spoke at a Vancouver Board of Trade event Tuesday, telling the crowd that relocating the Major League Soccer club would suggest to the world that the city simply wanted to host a party and isn't actually serious about the sport. 'You don't want to come out of the World Cup and your professional football club is playing in Sacramento,' said Montagliani, who is also the president of CONCACAF, soccer's governing body in North and Central America and the Caribbean. 'That would be a bruise on the city.' The Whitecaps announced in December that the current ownership group — Greg Kerfoot, Steve Luczo, Jeff Mallett and former NBA star Steve Nash — had put the team up for sale. Speculation has since been rife that an out-of-town buyer will purchase the club and move it out of Vancouver. In April, the Whitecaps revealed that they are in talks with the City of Vancouver about building a new, soccer-specific stadium in the city. Club chief executive officer Axel Schuster said at the time that those plans are intrinsically tied to the sale of the team. 'We are only working on one plan, one goal, and this is to keep the club in Vancouver and to find a very good setup for the future for this club in Vancouver,' he said. 'And part of all of this is to look in every possible option that might be needed to do this successfully.' Keeping the Whitecaps in Vancouver is key to continuing the city's love and support for soccer, Montagliani said on Tuesday. 'It is going to be a party — trust me. But it can't just be about a party,' he said. 'It's got to be about the youth. It's got to be about the game itself. And it's got to be about the continuation of the game.' He noted that Canada had to create its own league, the Canadian Premier League, in order to be eligible to bid for the 2026 World Cup. Losing one of the country's biggest teams would be a step backward, he said. 'To lose an MLS club on the back of the World Cup would be a capital crime, in my opinion,' he said. Montagliani is in his hometown of Vancouver to mark the one-year countdown to the tournament's kick off on June 11, 2026, when the first games will be played in Mexico City and Guadalajara. The final is set for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Vancouver and Toronto are among 16 host cities across Canada, the United States and Mexico. Vancouver will host seven matches across the tournament, starting on June 13, 2026, including five in the opening round, one in the round of 32 and one in the round of 16. Organizers in B.C. said in April 2024 that it will cost between $483 million and $581 million for Vancouver to host the tournament. That number includes costs to the city, the province and upgrades to B.C. Place. Renovations are currently underway at the 54,500-seat stadium, including new and upgraded suites, more and larger elevators, gender-neutral bathrooms, improved Wi-Fi and a new central video board. A natural grass pitch will also be installed. The B.C. government has said it expects the World Cup will generate enough revenue to result in a net cost of between $100 million and $145 million. Vancouver and Canada as a whole have a unique chance to create something special with the World Cup, Montagliani said. 'For me, it's an opportunity of a lifetime for Canada,' he said. 'Maybe this has done us a favour, in terms of what's going on (with U.S.-Canada relations), in terms of our Canadiana. I really think it's an opportunity for us to take a global game and make it ours.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 10, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
10-06-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Moving Whitecaps from Vancouver would be ‘a crime': FIFA vice president
VANCOUVER – A vice president of soccer's global governing body says moving the Vancouver Whitecaps would be 'a crime' and negatively impact the city's reputation after it hosts games at next year's World Cup. FIFA vice president Victor Montagliani spoke at a Vancouver Board of Trade event Tuesday, telling the crowd that relocating the Major League Soccer club would suggest to the world that the city simply wanted to host a party and isn't actually serious about the sport. 'You don't want to come out of the World Cup and your professional football club is playing in Sacramento,' said Montagliani, who is also the president of CONCACAF, soccer's governing body in North and Central America and the Caribbean. 'That would be a bruise on the city.' The Whitecaps announced in December that the current ownership group — Greg Kerfoot, Steve Luczo, Jeff Mallett and former NBA star Steve Nash — had put the team up for sale. Speculation has since been rife that an out-of-town buyer will purchase the club and move it out of Vancouver. In April, the Whitecaps revealed that they are in talks with the City of Vancouver about building a new, soccer-specific stadium in the city. Club chief executive officer Axel Schuster said at the time that those plans are intrinsically tied to the sale of the team. 'We are only working on one plan, one goal, and this is to keep the club in Vancouver and to find a very good setup for the future for this club in Vancouver,' he said. 'And part of all of this is to look in every possible option that might be needed to do this successfully.' Keeping the Whitecaps in Vancouver is key to continuing the city's love and support for soccer, Montagliani said on Tuesday. 'It is going to be a party — trust me. But it can't just be about a party,' he said. 'It's got to be about the youth. It's got to be about the game itself. And it's got to be about the continuation of the game.' He noted that Canada had to create its own league, the Canadian Premier League, in order to be eligible to bid for the 2026 World Cup. Losing one of the country's biggest teams would be a step backward, he said. 'To lose an MLS club on the back of the World Cup would be a capital crime, in my opinion,' he said. Montagliani is in his hometown of Vancouver to mark the one-year countdown to the tournament's kick off on June 11, 2026, when the first games will be played in Mexico City and Guadalajara. The final is set for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Vancouver and Toronto are among 16 host cities across Canada, the United States and Mexico. Vancouver will host seven matches across the tournament, starting on June 13, 2026, including five in the opening round, one in the round of 32 and one in the round of 16. Organizers in B.C. said in April 2024 that it will cost between $483 million and $581 million for Vancouver to host the tournament. That number includes costs to the city, the province and upgrades to B.C. Place. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. Renovations are currently underway at the 54,500-seat stadium, including new and upgraded suites, more and larger elevators, gender-neutral bathrooms, improved Wi-Fi and a new central video board. A natural grass pitch will also be installed. The B.C. government has said it expects the World Cup will generate enough revenue to result in a net cost of between $100 million and $145 million. Vancouver and Canada as a whole have a unique chance to create something special with the World Cup, Montagliani said. 'For me, it's an opportunity of a lifetime for Canada,' he said. 'Maybe this has done us a favour, in terms of what's going on (with U.S.-Canada relations), in terms of our Canadiana. I really think it's an opportunity for us to take a global game and make it ours.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 10, 2025.
Daily Mirror
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
FIFA chief tells FA exactly where they stand over bid to host 2038 World Cup
The UK has not hosted the World Cup since the nation's only success in 1966 but a FIFA big wig is backing a fresh bid to see the tournament returning to the home nations very soon Football could finally be set to come home, with a major FIFA chief backing England to host the 2038 World Cup. The UK have hosted the tournament just once in it's near 100-year history, with the Three Lions recording their solitary success in 1966. Since then, FIFA have adopted a rotating approach to dishing out hosting rights with each continent receiving the tournament every 12 years. The previous World Cup was hosted by Qatar. The next edition will be shared between Canada, Mexico and the United States, while 2030 will also be divided between Morocco, Portugal and Spain - albeit there will be special anniversary matches in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. 2034 hosts have also been confirmed as Saudi Arabia. But FIFA vice-president Victor Montagliani has given his backing to the UK returning to the hosting roster very soon. England previously applied to host the 2006 and 2018 World Cups but lost out on both occasions. Speaking to The Times, Montagliani said: "I can't see why, not just England but the United Kingdom shouldn't be hosting the World Cup. I think it would be a fantastic World Cup and I think they should seriously think of putting their foot forward to host. We all know what the game means in the UK and I think it's time.' The hosting decisions have garnered criticism from supporters over recent years, with some federations spending huge sums on their bids, only to see them fail. But Montagliani claims the current approach is the correct one to make it fair for all countries. He added: "I support what we have done in recent history, I think it's the only way. Now it shouldn't be the Fifa president's decision alone, he has a board, he has a council. 'But I think the old way we used to do it where people just waste their money and then all these shenanigans happen. That's ridiculous. Let's get away from that. 'Let's become a proper business. Let's have an event management strategy so that we're properly rotating it, everybody gets a crack at it. 'The reality is that the World Cup generates 80 to 90 per cent of Fifa's income, which then sends 80 per cent of that back to its members for the development of football. "And if Fifa doesn't generate that money there is a significant number of the 211 countries that do not have the funds to develop football.' England, who are two games into their qualifying campaign, are one of the favourites to finally end 50 years of hurt next summer under the guidance of Thomas Tuchel. The Three Lions reached the semi-finals in 2018, only to lose out to Croatia. They also reached the quarter-finals in 2022 but fell to eventual finalists France in Qatar.
The Irish Sun
14-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘It's time' – England could host World Cup after seven decades as Fifa chief tells FA to ‘seriously think' about it
ENGLAND could host the World Cup after a SEVEN-DECADE wait following a top Fifa figure's encouragement to bid for the tournament. The nation hasn't bid for the tournament since the controversial 2010 vote for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups in 4 England hasn't hosted the World Cup since lifting the Jules Rimet Trophy in 1966 Credit: GETTY 4 The FA failed to land the 2018 or 2022 World Cups Credit: GETTY 4 Fifa Vice-President Victor Montagliani believes it's time the tournament returns to Old Blighty Credit: GETTY And Fifa vice-president Victor Montagliani believes it's high time the tournament returns to these shores. During an interview with England but the United Kingdom shouldn't be hosting the World Cup. "I think it would be a fantastic World Cup and I think they should seriously think of putting their foot forward to host. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS "We all know what the game means in the UK and I think it's time.' The 2026 World Cup will be held in the United States , Canada and Mexico , while the 2030 tournament set to be split across Spain , Portugal , Morocco and South America. The Women's World Cup will take place in the UK in 2035 and could be a potential catalyst for the men's tournament to return to these shores in 2038 or 2042. Most read in Football JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 4 England could bid to host the 2038 or 2042 World Cups Credit: Getty Speaking on Fifa's rotation model, Montagliani said: "I support what we have done in recent history , I think it's the only way. "Now it shouldn't be the Fifa president's decision alone, he has a board, he has a council. Major change to World Cup final confirmed by Fifa chief Gianni Infantino with Coldplay to perform half-time show 'But I think the old way we used to do it where people just waste their money and then all these shenanigans happen. That's ridiculous. Let's get away from that. 'Let's become a proper business . Let's have an event management strategy so that we're properly rotating it, everybody gets a crack at it. 'The reality is that the World Cup generates 80 to 90 per cent of Fifa's income, which then sends 80 per cent of that back to its members for the development of football. "And if Fifa doesn't generate that money there is a significant number of the 211 countries that do not have the funds to develop football.' Next year's North American World Cup will be the first tournament to include 48 teams. But South American footie chiefs have called for future tournaments to be expanded to an incredible 64 TEAMS , a total Montagliani believes would devalue the prestige which comes with qualifying for the competition He said: "Sixty-four teams is just too much in my opinion . We still haven't kicked the ball for 48 teams, although I think we'll be fine. 'We're OK where we are and I'm not comfortable with any more — scarcity is still important. "It still needs to be difficult to get to a World Cup and I think at 48 you're still going to have some nations you may think should be at a World Cup but fail to qualify.'
