Toronto’s World Cup hosting is getting a $104 million federal injection

The federal government will provide the city of Toronto with $104.34 million to host six matches at the 2026 World Cup.

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow and federal Sports Minister Carla Qualtrough announced the funding Friday at the BMO Field in Toronto, where the games will be held.

Toronto has estimated that its share of hosting the expanded 48-team football show will cost $380 million, an increase of $80 million from its 2022 forecast.

In February, the provincial government committed $97 million in funding for the event, contingent on matching funds from Ottawa.

“FIFA 2026 will unite our country like nothing else can,” Qualtrough said. “I mean, you don’t often see all three levels of government like this, so you know that’s the power of sport.”

“Canada is home to the world,” she added. “And in 2026, the world will feel completely at home here.”:

Qualtrough said the federal contribution “will support the operations and capital expenditures of these (Toronto) competitions.”

“These funds will make hosting the games, six games, possible,” Chow said. “It will support our infrastructure and improvements, as well as operational costs, the costs of boosting the games and taking on some of the legacy that we know will emerge later.

“The funds will help us welcome hundreds and thousands of people to our city, to showcase Toronto to the world.”

The federal government had already committed to providing $116.66 million in funding for the Vancouver games.

Chow was prepared for the football announcement, wearing shin guards, running shoes and a 2026 World Cup scarf. She and Qualtrough even kicked a ball on the pitch after the festivities.

The city expects the World Cup to create more than 3,500 jobs, attract 300,000 out-of-town visitors and generate approximately $393 million in gross domestic product for Toronto and $456 million in GDP for Ontario.

Vancouver will also host matches during the 104-match tournament that Canada is co-hosting with the US and Mexico. Officials announced Tuesday that hosting seven games at BC Place Stadium could cost up to $581 million, more than double the estimate from two years ago.

Canada and Mexico, which has three host cities in addition to Canada’s two, will each host 13 matches, while the US will host the remaining 78 in its 11 host cities.

Toronto and Vancouver will each host five opening round matches, plus a knockout match in the round of 32. Vancouver will also play a round of 16 match.

READ ALSO: BC’s cost to host seven 2026 FIFA World Cup matches doubles to $483 million – $581 million