Toronto facing ‘red flags’ as it prepares to host 2026 World Cup matches

There are “many red flags” around the project to prepare Toronto to host matches in the 2026 World Cup, according to Bruce Arthur of the TORONTO STAR. It will cost an “enormous amount to host six games in a 104-game tournament,” with the cost at $380M and “possibly rising.” Arthur: “Is most of the tax benefit going to the province of Ontario and the federal government, while the city pays at least half the costs? Appears so. Are the most up-to-date FIFA contracts still secret, even to the mayor? Probably.” To activate a city that “already activates itself during every World Cup,” then the “most obvious solution is to hold outdoor viewing parties not just during games.” City Manager Paul Johnson said that they “cannot have fan fest taking over all the streets and shutting down the city for 30 plus days.” However, Johnson also talked about “harnessing the excitement in Toronto’s neighbourhoods.” Arthur noted Toronto is “going to have a comparatively tiny stadium of 45,000 that will look pretty Podunk compared to the colosseums elsewhere.” Fans are “counting on former officials from Canada Soccer — one of the most dysfunctional organizations in a country full of them — and the city of Toronto, not known for promoting organic fun, to make spending nearly $400 million on six soccer matches worth it” (TORONTO STAR, 11/3).