2026 World Cup - News, Updates and discussions

[dyslexic nam]

14 minutes ago, Kingston said:

So totally for fun I looked it up.

The budget for the entire Canadian Armed Forces is $500 million per week.  Let's say the duration of the event in Toronto is about two weeks.  For $380 million, we could therefore hire more than one-third of the entire military for two weeks.  That would give us at least:

Four frigates, four costal defense ships, and one or two submarines off-shore in Lake Ontario.

Thirty CF-18s flying air patrol above the stadium plus a bunch of helicopters and, if we need them, refueling and troop transport aircraft.  

About 500 armored combat vehicles (from main battle tanks on downward), 75 artillery pieces, a bunch of anti-aircraft weapons, and several thousand infantry.

Looks like we have security covered! 

So basically like the protests in Ottawa?

[Neil R.]

A historic night for the lowest-ranked nation in CONCACAF!

Anguilla advanced to the second round of World Cup Qualifying for the first time ever, defeating Turks and Caicos Islands. 0-0 first leg, 1-1 second leg (4-3 Anguilla on penalties).

Edited March 27 by Neil R.

[Free kick]

Report says Estadio Azteca not ready for World Cup 2026 (msn.com)

Quote:  "Disappointment for Mexico?
Unfortunately, a painful setback for Mexico has emerged, according to a report. Due to renovations being carried out to bring it up to FIFA standards, the report says that Azteca Stadium might not host the event (opener).

365 Scores Mexico says FIFA gave Azteca Stadium a red card since their stadium is running b)hind schedule. The two other Mexican stadiums have already met FIFA’s requirements: the Estadio BBVA, where Monterrey plays, and the Estadio Akron, where Chivas plays."

****

FIFA World Cup 2026: Work begins to widen playing surface at MetLife Stadium (msn.com)

Quote: "The current field — configured for football — is not wide enough to meet FIFA's requirements for hosting the final match, so work to widen it will be done in phases. This year the east side of the field is being expanded, and the west side will be broadened in spring 2025."

Edited April 10 by Free kick

[red card]

For those who want the perspective of the broader society rather than just from the football world. Globe's City Space looks at the merits of Canada (specifically TO) hosting in 2026. 

The 2 notable points from the podcast for me were saying that FIFA is second biggest org in the world after the Catholic church. Then Cathal Kelly states why people want to host mega sports events: I'm at the centre of the world right now...I'm here. It's a wild feeling. You're selling that to the population, city, country....It's energy coming out from the ground. It's a feeling about being in the middle of the focus of the world.

 

Edited April 24 by red card

[red card]

Getting a visa to US issue has been discussed in World Cup forums for the past year but this is the first article I have seen about it.

41 countries are part of US visa waiver program but it's estimated 45% of World Cup visitors are coming from countries not part of the program.

The tournament begins in 777 days and it will be at least another 18 months before many countries will be assured of qualification, yet the wait times for U.S. visa interviews in 2 Mexican cities are already in excess of 800 days, while it is 685 days in Bogota, Panama City is 477, Quito is 420, Istanbul takes 553 days for an appointment and Morocco wait time is 225 days.

Unlike what was done for a recent World Athletics event, U.S. is expected to expedite processing to ensure players and support staff are able to arrive in time for the World Cup.

Congress set aside US$50m for the State Department to “reduce passport backlogs and reduce visa wait times” in March but it was not specified how and where the money will be invested.

The visa delays were raised in a meeting at the White House on April 17 by United States Travel Association (U.S. Travel) & FIFA.

https://theathletic.com/5443321/2024/04/26/world-cup-2026-concerns-over-fans-u-s-visa-wait-times-your-window-might-already-be-closed/

Edited April 26 by red card

[Shway]

I don't know who this guy is....

 

but if this is true, BC Place instantly should become the second home of Canada soccer 🤭....

In all honesty, it becomes Canadas best stadium...and it's not even close. 

[kacbru]

54 minutes ago, Shway said:

I don't know who this guy is....

 

but if this is true, BC Place instantly should become the second home of Canada soccer 🤭....

In all honesty, it becomes Canadas best stadium...and it's not even close. 

There was also an article somewhere yesterday that said the cost for the 7 Vancouver games is now over $500M, which includes ~$100M in upgrades, grass to BC place....found it.

https://www.tsn.ca/soccer/cost-to-host-2026-fifa-world-cup-in-vancouver-doubles-may-hit-581m-1.2113667

[narduch]

1 hour ago, Shway said:

I don't know who this guy is....

 

but if this is true, BC Place instantly should become the second home of Canada soccer 🤭....

In all honesty, it becomes Canadas best stadium...and it's not even close. 

Is the plan to make grass permanent?

[kacbru]

54 minutes ago, narduch said:

Is the plan to make grass permanent?

The TSN article is not definitive, but suggests it is unlikely - operational costs to maintain grass are too high with all the non-sporting uses BC place gets.

[kacbru]

The physical tangible legacy from the ~$500M public investment - improved training pitches in Vancouver, better soundboard at BC Place, improved toilets.

Intangibles - gazillions of $ in economic activity for restaurants and hotels.  Lots of nice memories.

[Joe MacCarthy]

1 hour ago, narduch said:

Is the plan to make grass permanent?

“With a grass pitch, it would be important for us to ensure it remains in optimal condition, especially during events like concerts, which can require more than a week of production. While natural grass fields can withstand shorter durations under flooring, preserving their integrity for eight days or more poses considerable challenges.”

[narduch]

2 hours ago, Shway said:

I don't know who this guy is....

 

but if this is true, BC Place instantly should become the second home of Canada soccer 🤭....

In all honesty, it becomes Canadas best stadium...and it's not even close. 

For 1 or 2 years while it has grass. Based on the above responses.

[Shway]

1 hour ago, narduch said:

For 1 or 2 years while it has grass. Based on the above responses.

Looks like home games will be in Vancouver for a 1 or 2 year stretch....(if we have them).

[TGAA_Star]

On 4/10/2024 at 6:41 PM, Free kick said:

Report says Estadio Azteca not ready for World Cup 2026 (msn.com)

Quote:  "Disappointment for Mexico?
Unfortunately, a painful setback for Mexico has emerged, according to a report. Due to renovations being carried out to bring it up to FIFA standards, the report says that Azteca Stadium might not host the event (opener).

365 Scores Mexico says FIFA gave Azteca Stadium a red card since their stadium is running b)hind schedule. The two other Mexican stadiums have already met FIFA’s requirements: the Estadio BBVA, where Monterrey plays, and the Estadio Akron, where Chivas plays."

****

FIFA World Cup 2026: Work begins to widen playing surface at MetLife Stadium (msn.com)

Quote: "The current field — configured for football — is not wide enough to meet FIFA's requirements for hosting the final match, so work to widen it will be done in phases. This year the east side of the field is being expanded, and the west side will be broadened in spring 2025."

Yeah but then if Toronto is trying to host in 2026, then don't you think the city should be starting on plans to renovate BMO Field to expand it to make the stadium World Cup ready by the time 2026 rolls around?

[narduch]

1 hour ago, TGAA_Star said:

Yeah but then if Toronto is trying to host in 2026, then don't you think the city should be starting on plans to renovate BMO Field to expand it to make the stadium World Cup ready by the time 2026 rolls around?

The blueprints are indeed being worked on.

I actually have colleagues working on it 

[Watchmen]

15 hours ago, Shway said:

Looks like home games will be in Vancouver for a 1 or 2 year stretch....(if we have them).

No amount of renovations is going to be able to put BC Place on the east coast and allow for reduced travel.

[maplebanana]

3 hours ago, narduch said:

The blueprints are indeed being worked on.

I actually have colleagues working on it 

Please, please tell me they are installing more washrooms. 

At the clinching WC22 game, I got up at HT to go to washroom and when I got back to my seat it was the 55'. I've missed the start of 2nd half at TFC games that were much less crowded too.

[red card]

Toronto has jumped on World Cup gravy train. Star is reporting the Toronto police has already spent $1.5m. 

$1.2m was on salaries, benefits and premium pay for the TPS FIFA planning team, which now has 8 people. Two unmarked Chevrolet Equinoxes and a hybrid cruiser was bought for $131k. 

$130k+ on conferences, travel, training and development. That included a trip to Qatar during the 2022 World Cup, where officers served as security observers. In February, 2 members attended the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show in Las Vegas, “to preview new and upcoming equipment and technology relevant to World Cup security.

Smaller ticket items included about $910 for an unspecified number of AirPods and $50k  on computers and related hardware that will also be used for regular police duties once the tournament is done.

The TPS FIFA team also spent more than $3.7k on commemorative medallions popular in policing circles and almost $500 in purchases at the TPS museum. These items will be gifts to partner agencies.

Critics charge this shows troubling signs the tournament is being used to inflate already bloated police spending at the expense of other city priorities. Others expect the TPS would offset the costs of any equipment purchased for the World Cup and later repurposed by reducing the force’s budget by an equivalent amount in the future.

 

[JBR]

6 minutes ago, red card said:

Toronto has jumped on World Cup gravy train. Star is reporting the Toronto police has already spent $1.5m. 

$1.2m was on salaries, benefits and premium pay for the TPS FIFA planning team, which now has 8 people. Two unmarked Chevrolet Equinoxes and a hybrid cruiser was bought for $131k. 

$130k+ on conferences, travel, training and development. That included a trip to Qatar during the 2022 World Cup, where officers served as security observers. In February, 2 members attended the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show in Las Vegas, “to preview new and upcoming equipment and technology relevant to World Cup security.

Smaller ticket items included about $910 for an unspecified number of AirPods and $50k  on computers and related hardware that will also be used for regular police duties once the tournament is done.

The TPS FIFA team also spent more than $3.7k on commemorative medallions popular in policing circles and almost $500 in purchases at the TPS museum. These items will be gifts to partner agencies.

Critics charge this shows troubling signs the tournament is being used to inflate already bloated police spending at the expense of other city priorities. Others expect the TPS would offset the costs of any equipment purchased for the World Cup and later repurposed by reducing the force’s budget by an equivalent amount in the future.

 

Its inevitable that the Star, the Globe and all the rest will trash the world cup and create a scandal. Then we will be treated to government hearings for 5 years after the world cup.. Nothing will come of said inquiries, but the taxpayer will be responsible for paying for them. Welcome to Canada. We don't do corruption well here and we cant have nice things. I recommend not reposting these stupid articles here. 

[TGAA_Star]

1 hour ago, red card said:

Toronto has jumped on World Cup gravy train. Star is reporting the Toronto police has already spent $1.5m. 

$1.2m was on salaries, benefits and premium pay for the TPS FIFA planning team, which now has 8 people. Two unmarked Chevrolet Equinoxes and a hybrid cruiser was bought for $131k. 

$130k+ on conferences, travel, training and development. That included a trip to Qatar during the 2022 World Cup, where officers served as security observers. In February, 2 members attended the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show in Las Vegas, “to preview new and upcoming equipment and technology relevant to World Cup security.

Smaller ticket items included about $910 for an unspecified number of AirPods and $50k  on computers and related hardware that will also be used for regular police duties once the tournament is done.

The TPS FIFA team also spent more than $3.7k on commemorative medallions popular in policing circles and almost $500 in purchases at the TPS museum. These items will be gifts to partner agencies.

Critics charge this shows troubling signs the tournament is being used to inflate already bloated police spending at the expense of other city priorities. Others expect the TPS would offset the costs of any equipment purchased for the World Cup and later repurposed by reducing the force’s budget by an equivalent amount in the future.

 

Yeah because it is bound to be crazy here in Toronto come 2026 especially because of traffic and also people doing anything and everything to get to the games

[SpursFlu]

I remember leading up to the Olympics in Vancouver the sky was falling everyday. The new hwy which was overdue for 30 yrs was displacing a rare species of snails. All the money would have been better spent on whatever. Look it is what it is. Pay attention but try and enjoy life and realize that as the above mentioned most this criticism is politically motivated so take it with a grain of salt

[narduch]

1 hour ago, red card said:

Toronto has jumped on World Cup gravy train. Star is reporting the Toronto police has already spent $1.5m. 

$1.2m was on salaries, benefits and premium pay for the TPS FIFA planning team, which now has 8 people. Two unmarked Chevrolet Equinoxes and a hybrid cruiser was bought for $131k. 

$130k+ on conferences, travel, training and development. That included a trip to Qatar during the 2022 World Cup, where officers served as security observers. In February, 2 members attended the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show in Las Vegas, “to preview new and upcoming equipment and technology relevant to World Cup security.

Smaller ticket items included about $910 for an unspecified number of AirPods and $50k  on computers and related hardware that will also be used for regular police duties once the tournament is done.

The TPS FIFA team also spent more than $3.7k on commemorative medallions popular in policing circles and almost $500 in purchases at the TPS museum. These items will be gifts to partner agencies.

Critics charge this shows troubling signs the tournament is being used to inflate already bloated police spending at the expense of other city priorities. Others expect the TPS would offset the costs of any equipment purchased for the World Cup and later repurposed by reducing the force’s budget by an equivalent amount in the future.

 

This says more about how shitty Toronto police are than the World Cup bid

[kacbru]

5 hours ago, JBR said:

Its inevitable that the Star, the Globe and all the rest will trash the world cup and create a scandal.

The World Cup is a scandal.  The media doesn't have to do anything to create a scandal.  Just accept it, hold your nose, and enjoy it.

[costarg]

On 5/1/2024 at 3:49 PM, Shway said:

I don't know who this guy is....

 

but if this is true, BC Place instantly should become the second home of Canada soccer 🤭....

In all honesty, it becomes Canadas best stadium...and it's not even close. 

Edited June 5 by costarg

[Neil R.]

The 2nd round of CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying has begun.

Puerto Rico must be thrilled with their 0-0 result in El Salvador. That was a Pot 1 vs. Pot 3 matchup. El Salvador was the only Pot 1 team not to win their first match in this round.