Toronto Seeks Additional Funds as Ontario Declines FIFA World Cup 2026 Financing

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Just slightly more than a year away from when Toronto will host six matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, disputes about funding for the event remain unresolved.

In the newest dispute, Toronto suggests it might decrease its contribution by requesting the provincial government to cover more costs. However, Queen’s Park has firmly declined this proposal.

In next June, Toronto will host six matches as part of a World Cup taking place across Canada, the United States, and Mexico.

Hosting these games will reportedly cost $380 million and has sparked intense negotiations between the City of Toronto and the Ford administration.

When the expenses appeared likely to

be nearer to $300 million,

Ontario agreed to

Pay $97 million for hosting the games

and

The federal government contributed $104 million.

.

However, a recent report commissioned for the city council indicates that a significant portion of the funds promised by Ontario to the city will be consumed by current obligations.

$15 million exclusively will be allocated towards enhancing public health measures, boosting hospital staff levels, supporting paramedics, and readying facilities for potential overloads as myriad supporters flock to the city.

Nearly $40 million out of the $97 million has already been allocated and will not be used for the general expenses, according to the report.

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow stated that the province should also bear those expenses and hinted that she might reduce her own obligations if this was not the case.

“We can only manage up to $178 million now,” she stated.

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We’ll need to locate $40 million from another source; I’m unsure where exactly. Perhaps the province should review the list they provided us to check if enhancing the GO station aligns with FIFA’s objectives.

Finance Minister Peter Bethlemfalvy dismissed the notion that Ontario could contribute further during a press briefing on Wednesday.

I stood upfront and declared our commitment of $97 million; we were crystal clear about this. We also made it evident simultaneously that this amount is non-negotiable,” he stated emphatically. “This remains firm.

This deadlock leaves Toronto’s World Cup ambitions lacking tens of millions of dollars and mirrors a previous standstill between the two administrations, which occurred before the $97 million proposal was unveiled.

In May 2023, as Toronto was preparing to host a portion of an international tournament, the provincial government led by Doug Ford spent several months debating whether they should contribute financially towards the event’s hosting expenses.

The hesitation during that moment

prevented Ontario from being involved in the planning of the event.

Ultimately, Ontario consented to cover the $97 million, though expenses have kept escalating.

The inaugural World Cup match in Toronto is scheduled for June 12, 2026.

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