Bob Mackin
Vancouver officially becomes a FIFA World Cup city on June 13 at 9 p.m., when Turkey and Australia meet in a B.C. Place Stadium first round match.
But how did it get here?
FIFA VP Montagliani and president Infantino (Twitter)
May 12, 2016
On the eve of the Mexico City-hosted FIFA Congress, West Vancouver insurance executive Victor Montagliani beats Bermuda’s Larry Mussenden 25-16 to become the new president of CONCACAF, world soccer’s North and Central American and Caribbean zone.
The Canadian Soccer Association president automatically becomes a FIFA vice-president.
Montagliani’s four CONCACAF predecessors were charged, convicted and/or banned by FIFA for corruption.
April 10, 2017
On the 102nd floor of New York’s One World Observatory, the tallest tower in the U.S., Montagliani and counterparts from the U.S. and Mexico launch the United Bid for the 2026 World Cup.
June 13, 2018
In Russia, before the World Cup, FIFA votes 134-68 for the United Bid over Morocco. Mexico becomes the first three-time host, after 1970 and 1986. The U.S. becomes the primary host for the second time. Canada has hosted every FIFA tournament, except for the men’s World Cup.
Jan. 29, 2021
Quebec withdraws support for Montreal’s bid, citing costs.
May 25, 2021
With the COVID-19 pandemic in its second year and the tourism industry in shambles, President Joe Biden signs the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act. It temporarily allows cruise ships to sail to Alaska without stopping in Canadian ports, like Vancouver and Victoria.
B.C. tourism lobbyists worry it will become permanent and plead with Horgan to find a solution to save the industry.
July 6, 2021
Assorted headlines from stories that cited theBreaker’s reporting on FIFA demands for World Cup hosting bidders.
Montreal withdraws, leaving Toronto and Edmonton as candidates for 2026 matches.
July 13, 2021
Just two weeks after the Heat Dome disaster kills 619, Horgan says at a Richmond Hospital photo op that he spoke with FIFA representatives about a 2026 bid as a tourism industry catalyst.
“FIFA is in a different place, Vancouver, British Columbia is in a different place, we’re prepared to entertain those discussions and see where we go,” Horgan says.
Dec. 10, 2021
Leaders from the Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh and Lil’wat, the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics’ Four Host First Nations, join Mayor Kennedy Stewart at the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame to launch a bid for the 2030 Winter Olympics.
March 15, 2022
Stewart pledges $5 million to help Horgan resurrect a 2026 World Cup bid.
“In 2015, Vancouver proudly hosted FIFA’s Women’s World Cup, including the final match where U.S.A. defeated Japan 5-2,” Stewart said. “We have a chance to welcome the world back to B.C. in 2026, and I want to do everything I can to make that happen.”
May 13, 2022
Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart on Dec. 10 (City of Vancouver)
Horgan announces the $789 million Royal B.C. Museum replacement project in Victoria.
June 10, 2022
A pivotal meeting at Vancouver city hall about the Olympic bid.
According to two sources, deputy city manager Karen Levitt tells Stewart that staff were exhausted from the pandemic and other citywide events. Senior bureaucrats and council members worry that the province would not support another Olympics. There were also concerns about the viability of a first-time, Indigenous-led bid for the Olympics.
“We’re already thinking about strategic off-ramps,” Levitt says.
One of those “off-ramps” was the World Cup.
Less than a week before FIFA went public, Levitt told those in the meeting that Vancouver would get five matches.
“The Grey Cup could likely be here in ’24, Invictus is coming in ’25, FIFA is coming in ’26,” Levitt says. “FIFA is a big one.”
June 16, 2022
Vancouver City Hall, dressed in FIFA World Cup colours and logo, and the Capt. George Vancouver statue. (Mackin)
FIFA names Vancouver a 2026 host city. Seattle and Toronto also get World Cup matches.
June 22, 2022
Horgan scraps the $789 million Royal B.C. Museum project.
“I made the wrong call, I made a call when British Columbians were thinking about other concerns,” Horgan says.
Six days later, Horgan says he will resign the premiership when the NDP chooses a new leader.
Oct. 27. 2022
Two weeks after Ken Sim defeats Stewart in the Vancouver election, the B.C. NDP government refuses to support another Olympics in 2030. It was already backing the 2025 Invictus Games and 2026 World Cup.
“There are billions of dollars in direct costs, and potential guarantee and indemnity liability risks on this project that could jeopardize our government’s ability to address pressures facing British Columbians right now,” says tourism minister Lisa Beare.
David Eby and John Horgan (BC Gov/Flickr)
Feb. 4, 2024
FIFA schedules seven matches in Vancouver between June 13 and July 7, 2026. Two more than originally expected. Canada would play two of its three first round matches at B.C. Place.
Sept. 20, 2024
The same day that Premier David Eby kicks off the NDP re-election campaign, he secretly signs an agreement to give the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh at least $600,000, an undefined quantity of World Cup match tickets and passes, and a pavilion at the PNE’s FIFA Fan Festival. The payments would later increase to $6 million each.
Dec. 5-6, 2025
At FIFA’s two-step draw in Washington, D.C., Australia, Belgium, Egypt, New Zealand, Qatar, Switzerland and Turkey are scheduled to play in B.C. Place during the five first round matches. The city will also host round of 16 and 32 elimination matches.
May 29, 2026
Almost four years after the late Horgan cancelled the $789 million Royal B.C. Museum project, the Eby NDP government estimates the cost of hosting FIFA World Cup could reach $729 million. Three times higher than originally forecast.
June 11, 2026
The 23rd FIFA World Cup kicks off in Mexico City.
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