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Globe and Mail
a day ago
- Politics
- Globe and Mail
World Cup 2026 organizers prepare for wrinkles created by U.S. travel restrictions
The head of Toronto's World Cup 2026 host committee says the executive order issued by the White House last week restricting travel to the U.S. from 19 countries is more of the same uncertainty that organizers have had to adjust to as partners in the event with the U.S. under President Donald Trump. 'Things have been changing with some of these [presidential] orders back and forth, as we all know in the tariff situation,' said Sharon Bollenbach, the executive director of FIFA World Cup 2026 Toronto. When the new edict came down, 'I think there's a bit of, like: 'OK, that's what we're dealing with today.'' Her assessment echoed comments by some of her U.S. counterparts at a gathering of the 11 U.S. host city leaders this week. 'There are going to be geopolitical issues that we don't even know right now that are going to affect the tournament next year, so we recognize that we're planning within uncertainty,' Meg Kane, the head of Philadelphia's local organizing committee, told reporters. 'One of the things that I think we all recognize is that we have to be really good at operating within that uncertainty.' Last week's executive order bans citizens of 12 countries from travelling to the U.S., including Iran, ranked 18th in the world by FIFA, which qualified for the World Cup in March. Other nations with promising teams such as Haiti and Sudan also fall under the ban. The U.S. also partially restricted travel to the U.S. of citizens of an additional seven countries, including Venezuela, Cuba, and Sierra Leone. World Cup 2026 will be Canada's chance to show the world how much fight we have in us The order contains exemptions for players, staff and family members of sports teams competing in major events such as the World Cup or the Olympics. But it caught organizers off guard and represents a significant impediment for fans hoping to travel between the three host nations. It also casts a shadow over the spirit of unity that those countries – Canada, the United States and Mexico – had hoped to strike when they signed on to the tournament in 2018. In a statement to The Globe and Mail, Jessie Adcock, FIFA World Cup 26 Vancouver host committee lead, said the organization is 'actively reviewing the recent Executive Order issued by the White House and are in ongoing discussions with our partners to assess any potential implications for tournament planning and operations.' Bollenbach noted that the schedule for the first round of the tournament – which kicks off in Canada at Toronto's BMO Field on June 12, 2026, followed by a match at BC Place in Vancouver the next day – won't be known until FIFA conducts its draw in December. That is when fans will learn where their teams are playing their three group stage matches, prior to the knockout round. Toronto will host one of the round-of-32 knockout games. Vancouver will host one round-of-32 match and one round-of-16 match. 'Until we know the countries that are specifically coming to our cities, there's not a lot we can do,' said Bollenbach. 'When the draw happens and we know what countries are playing here, that will unlock and cascade a lot of things for us in terms of planning, and part of that will be the travel plans and the marketing plan that we want to do to the countries that are playing here. We'll have to figure out if they're on that travel ban list.' She pointed out that fans from the 19 countries named in the executive order will still be free to travel to Canada. Iran is the only country in that group whose team has already qualified for the tournament. Portugal wins Nations League with thrilling penalty shootout win over Spain Last month, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance said foreigners are welcome to attend the tournament, but warned: 'When the time is up, they'll have to go home, otherwise, they'll have to talk to Secretary Noem,' referring to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Bollenbach spoke ahead of an event scheduled for Thursday evening at Toronto's Nathan Phillips Square marking one year from kickoff, at which dignitaries will unveil an official FIFA World Cup 26 Toronto Countdown Clock. Toronto mayor Olivia Chow proclaimed Thursday 'Soccer Day,' and encouraged Torontonians to turn out to the event wearing jerseys of their favourite teams. Chow has been critical of the agreement the city signed with FIFA as well as the escalating cost of hosting the event, which is now pegged at $380-million. In recent weeks she has warned that tariffs could add to the costs, and she has said the city, which is already on the hook for almost $179-million, might need to ask the province and federal government for more money than they have already committed. She has also alleged that the Ontario government is putting too high a value on the services included in the calculations of its $97-million pledge, leaving the city to make up a $39-million shortfall. The city and province are currently in negotiations over the dispute.
CTV News
20-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Toronto's FIFA costs could rise amid higher provincial cost estimates
The Toronto sign outside city hall is shown in this file photo. (Chris Fox/ Toronto could be on the hook for more money than expected to host six FIFA World Cup games next year, according to a new report set to go before Toronto City Council this week. Earlier this month, Mayor Olivia Chow's Executive Committee asked Sharon Bollenbach, the executive director of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Toronto Secretariat, to report directly to City Council on the status of intergovernmental funding related to hosting six of the games. The estimated cost of holding six FIFA matches in the city is $380 million. Of that, the federal government has agreed to kick in $104.3 million, while the province is providing $97 million. The city is picking up $178.7 million of the cost. While the city was hoping that much of the provincial contribution would be in the form of cash to offset tournament expenses, the $97 million also includes services being provided by the province, such as policing, transportation and health care. The cost of some of those provincially-provided services, however, are 'substantially higher than budgeted,' a report from Bollenbach says. In some cases, the provincial services are 'completely unbudgeted' so far, the report states. The latest estimate for provincial services which are still being negotiated pegs those costs at around $39 million, leaving less cash than expected to offset city expenses. Those estimated costs include $15 million from the Ministry of Health for paramedics and surge capacity; $2.5 million from the Ministry of Sport for project management and staffing; $6.6 million from the Ministry of Transportation for additional transit, free transit for volunteers, and additional security for highways; and $14 million for Ontario Provincial Police costs. The estimate does not include the full cost of provincial services that would be needed in the case of any emergency incidents arising out of the games. 'While negotiations continue to be productive, provincial service costs are still substantially higher than budgeted, and in some cases completely unbudgeted,' Bollenbach wrote. Her report did not say exactly how much cash the city could be short due to the higher cost estimates for provincial services. A separate report on procurement for the games found an $18 million funding gap, as of April 25, that the city is hoping to make up through donations, merchandise sales, music royalties, hospitality sales at the stadium, and opportunities around the FIFA Fan Festival. Bollenbach noted that an economic impact assessment conducted by Deloitte Canada estimated the games would contribute billions of dollars to Canada's economy, as well as 'substantial tax revenues' for the federal and provincial governments. 'FWC26 Toronto Secretariat will stay diligent in continuing negotiations with the province to reduce uncertainties around scope and lowering ministry service costs back to the City,' Bollenbach wrote. 'It is staff's intention to maintain as much of the $97 million contribution in cash to offset the City's hosting responsibilities while maintaining the approved budget envelop of $380 million approved by City Council.' The report is set to go before council later this week.
CTV News
20-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Toronto's FIFA costs could rise amid higher provincial cost estimates
The Toronto sign outside city hall is shown in this file photo. (Chris Fox/ Toronto could be on the hook for more money than expected to host six FIFA World Cup games next year, according to a new report set to go before Toronto City Council this week. Earlier this month, Mayor Olivia Chow's Executive Committee asked Sharon Bollenbach, the executive director of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Toronto Secretariat, to report directly to City Council on the status of intergovernmental funding related to hosting six of the games. The estimated cost of holding six FIFA matches in the city is $380 million. Of that, the federal government has agreed to kick in $104.3 million, while the province is providing $97 million. The city is picking up $178.7 million of the cost. While the city was hoping that much of the provincial contribution would be in the form of cash to offset tournament expenses, the $97 million also includes services being provided by the province, such as policing, transportation and health care. The cost of some of those provincially-provided services, however, are 'substantially higher than budgeted,' a report from Bollenbach says. In some cases, the provincial services are 'completely unbudgeted' so far, the report states. The latest estimate for provincial services which are still being negotiated pegs those costs at around $39 million, leaving less cash than expected to offset city expenses. Those estimated costs include $15 million from the Ministry of Health for paramedics and surge capacity; $2.5 million from the Ministry of Sport for project management and staffing; $6.6 million from the Ministry of Transportation for additional transit, free transit for volunteers, and additional security for highways; and $14 million for Ontario Provincial Police costs. The estimate does not include the full cost of provincial services that would be needed in the case of any emergency incidents arising out of the games. 'While negotiations continue to be productive, provincial service costs are still substantially higher than budgeted, and in some cases completely unbudgeted,' Bollenbach wrote. Her report did not say exactly how much cash the city could be short due to the higher cost estimates for provincial services. A separate report on procurement for the games found an $18 million funding gap, as of April 25, that the city is hoping to make up through donations, merchandise sales, music royalties, hospitality sales at the stadium, and opportunities around the FIFA Fan Festival. Bollenbach noted that an economic impact assessment conducted by Deloitte Canada estimated the games would contribute billions of dollars to Canada's economy, as well as 'substantial tax revenues' for the federal and provincial governments. 'FWC26 Toronto Secretariat will stay diligent in continuing negotiations with the province to reduce uncertainties around scope and lowering ministry service costs back to the City,' Bollenbach wrote. 'It is staff's intention to maintain as much of the $97 million contribution in cash to offset the City's hosting responsibilities while maintaining the approved budget envelop of $380 million approved by City Council.' The report is set to go before council later this week.
CBC
03-03-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Toronto's BMO field getting $150M facelift ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup
Social Sharing The men's FIFA World Cup is nearly a year away, and the downtown Toronto stadium that will play host to six tournament matches is getting a nearly $150-million facelift. On Monday, the city revealed plans to upgrade BMO Field, which is owned by the city and managed by Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment (MLSE), into a "state-of-the-art venue" capable of hosting the world's largest soccer tournament, according to a news release. The city and MLSE are spending $123 million and $23 million, respectively. "The transformation of BMO Field exemplifies the City's commitment to providing world-class facilities for FIFA World Cup 26 with a view to enriching the sports and recreation opportunities for Torontonians long after the tournament ends," Sharon Bollenbach, executive director of FIFA World Cup 2026 Toronto, said in the release. The stadium's seating capacity is being increased from about 31,000 to 45,000 — with 17,000 temporary seats being added on grandstands at the north and south ends of the field. Permanent changes include four new videoboards as well as upgrades to locker rooms, lighting, audio, broadcast infrastructure and stadium Wi-Fi, the release says. Scheduled games to continue, some gates could be closed A new rooftop patio with capacity for 1,000 fans will be added to the north side of the stadium, along with a new centre-field lounge on the stadium's west side, the city says. Then there's the field itself, which "will undergo a comprehensive upgrade to meet world-class standards," the release says. Construction will be completed in two phases, the city says, with the first already underway and ending in August. The second phase will take place from December 2025 to March 2026 to ensure enhancements are completed in time for the first tournament match in June 2026. "The exciting changes to the stadium not only elevate the experience for FIFA World Cup 26 but are also intentionally designed to permanently benefit Toronto sports fans for the future," MLSE CEO Nick Eaves said in the release. During renovations, scheduled events like Toronto FC and Argonauts games will continue without interruption, the city says. Fans should plan ahead though, the city says, as construction could impact what gates are open and closed during games. Every stadium among the 16 North American host cities is getting upgrades, Canadian soccer officials said last year. Cost of hosting more than 10 times what was projected Hosting the tournament is expected to cost the city of Toronto $380 million, according to a 2024 report, a long way from the initial projected costs in 2018 of $30 to $45 million. The provincial and federal governments have committed roughly $100 million each to help the city pay for the hosting gig. The city expects the tournament will boost Toronto's GDP by nearly $400 million, though FIFA released an economic impact assessment in December that estimated that figure would be closer to $520 million. FIFA also estimated the tournament would contribute $340 million in income for labourers and $25 million to government revenue, according to Monday's release. WATCH | Inflation raising costs for Toronto to host World Cup: Costs for Toronto to host 2026 FIFA World Cup climb to nearly $380M 1 year ago Duration 4:19 When Toronto first proposed hosting some of the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches five years ago, a city report estimated the cost at between $30 and $45 million. A new city staff estimate puts the cost at roughly $380 million. In 2023, the city signed a letter of intenet addressed to MLSE that says the company will serve as the project manager for upgrades to BMO Field and the MLSE training facilities in Toronto's north end. The city will split net revenue with MLSE up to $10 million, according to the 2023 letter. If revenues exceed $10 million they will be split 60 per cent for the city and 40 per cent for MLSE. Tourney starts June 2026; Toronto 1 of 16 host cities The tournament kicks off June 11 with two matches in Mexico, which will host 13 matches at three different venues. The next day, Toronto will host the first-ever men's FIFA World Cup match to be played in Canada. Toronto will split Canada's hosting duties with Vancouver. Each city will host five round robin games. The cities will each stage a Round of 32 knockout game with Vancouver also hosting a Round of 16 match. WATCH | Canada hosting 13 FIFA World Cup matches in 2026: Toronto, Vancouver among 2026 FIFA World Cup host cities 3 years ago Duration 2:03 Toronto and Vancouver have been chosen as two of the cities set to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be played across North America. The remaining 78 matches will be played in 11 different U.S. cities, including the championship match in New Jersey. The 104-match schedule will stretch out over six weeks during June and July of 2026.
