Vancouver mayor earmarks $5M for 2026 FIFA World Cup bid
The City of Vancouver could chip in as much as $5 million in a B.C. bid to host FIFA World Cup games, according the mayor.
Kennedy Stewart announced the effort Tuesday, saying he intends for the city to contribute up to that amount to bring the World Cup to the city in 2026.
The effort is significantly higher than in 2015, when the city contributed $1.5 million in operating funds to bring the Women's World Cup to Vancouver.
Speaking at a news conference, the mayor sounded confident the city can win the bid.
“This is a real possiblity,” said Stewart. “You will see, if everything goes right, Vancouver on the list of host cities.”
He agrees with Premier John Horgan that the soccer tournament could be a way to boost B.C.'s tourism sector, which was hard-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Our starting point for the 2026 World Cup was for the event to come at no additional cost, but given the tremendous opportunity we have … I am proud to announce that in the coming weeks I will recommend to council that we triple our 2015 World Cup investment and commit up to $5 million in cash and in-kind contributions to secure 2026 matches for B.C.," he said.
Stewart made the promise in what will be an election year for the city.
With files from CTV News Vancouver's St. John Alexander
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former B.C. premier John Horgan dies at 65
Former B.C. premier John Horgan, a popular leader renowned for his affable personality and dedicated public service, has died
B.C. teen with Canada's first human case of avian flu in critical condition, Dr. Bonnie Henry says
The teenager who is sick with the first-ever human case of avian influenza acquired in Canada is in hospital in critical condition, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said Tuesday.
Ottawa high school principal apologizes for song played during Remembrance Day assembly
The principal of an Ottawa high school is apologizing to students, parents and guardians after an Arabic-language song was played during the school's Remembrance Day service. The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board is conducting a "thorough investigation" to ensure it "is addressed appropriately and meaningfully."
Here's why thieves may be stealing butter in Canada
The case of the missing butter remains a mystery, but some have ideas on what's behind the unusual crimes.
Body found in Montreal park identified as cryptocurrency influencer
The body of a man that was found in a park in the Ahunstic-Cartierville borough last month has been identified as cryptocurrency influencer Kevin Mirshahi.
'He begged me': Brampton, Ont. woman loses more than $200K to romance scam
A Brampton woman says she is devastated after she lost more than $200,000 — her life's savings — to a romance scam.
Bev Priestman out at Canada Soccer in wake of Olympic drone-spying scandal
Bev Priestman is out as coach of the Canadian women's soccer team in the wake of an independent report into the Olympic drone-spying scandal.
What consumers need to know if Canada Post workers strike ahead of a busy holiday season
Canada's postal workers could walk off the job or the company could lock them out as soon as 12:01 a.m. ET Friday if the union and the company don't reach an agreement. Here are tips for shoppers and businesses.
Union says it will challenge Ottawa's intervention in B.C. port work stoppages
The union representing locked-out port workers in British Columbia says it plans to challenge the federal government's intervention in the ongoing labour dispute.