Vancouver tarnishes its soccer legacy in Cup pullout

BC Place, a venue that less than three years ago successfully hosted the Women’s World Cup final.

“It was an incredibly positive experience,” Montopoli added. “We sold out 99 per cent of the hotel rooms (in Vancouver). The GDP in Canada rose by 3.4 per cent in June 2015.”

Impressive totals, to be sure. But not impressive enough to sway a B.C. government that cowered at the uncertainty that comes along with bidding for an event that’s eight years away.

“The Vancouver decision started to rest from a political point of view,” Montopoli said, being passed over for international friendlies and future tournaments.

WhatincentivedoestheCanadian Soccer Association have to play future fixtures at BC Place?

Instead, the United Bid is moving forward with Toronto, MontrealandEdmonton.

Suddenly, the City of Champions seems a likely destination given Canada will play host to 10 matches if awarded the tournament. After all, it’s a stretch to say Toronto’sBMOFieldandMontreal’s Olympic Stadium are capable of hosting five games each everyone outside the B.C. legislature.

Thebidexpectstogenerate$2 billion in ticket sales alone.

“If you’re a FIFA member association and you look at how FIFA distributes dollars from the FIFA Forward Program, these are things that help down the road for the development and growth of football world wide,” Montopoli said.

Additionally, concerns over construction costs are minimal given existing infrastructure in three countries that have been the host for 13 different FIFA events, setting numerous records.

Still, FIFA’s unpredictability creates everlasting uncertainty.

A recent pro-Morocco tweet from ex-FIFA bad guy Sepp Blatter didn’t help matters. Blatter’s sporadic social media post called Morocco a “logical” host in 2026. “It’s time for Africa again!” he added.

“I’mnotsurewhat(he’s)basing all his references on,” Montopoli said of Blatter’s recent rant.

The perception right now is that the United Bid — with or without Vancouver — is in position to win.

But allow Blatter’s sudden resurrection to serve as a reminder the U.S. thought it would be hosting the 2022 WorldCup.

Then something sinister happened. And Qatar swooped.