Field of dreams? Toronto makes World Cup short list

One of 32 cities named in North America’s bid for soccer showcase

The biggest showcase of the Beautiful Game could be coming to a soccer field near you in 2026.

Toronto — with BMO Field as a possible venue — was one of four Canadian cities shortlisted Wednesday to become an official host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as announced by a group hoping to bring the event to North America.

Canada, Mexico and the United States, represented by the United Bid Committee, are competing against Morocco to host the expanded 48-team tournament. The committee whittled the list of con- tending cities down to 32 spots across the three nations.

Edmonton, Montreal and Vancouver also made the cut, as did 25 U.S. cities and three in Mexico. Ottawa was one of nine cities not selected, after 41places submitted bids to host the matches.

If the committee’s bid is successful, at least 12 cities will be selected as venues. The current proposal ensures10 of the 80 World Cup matches would be played in Canada, with 10 more in Mexico. The U.S. would get the remaining 60, including all from the quarter-finals and beyond.

“Having hosted every FIFA competition other than the FIFA World Cup, Canada has built a strong foundation across the country from which we can now draw on as a member of the United 2026 bid,” Canada Soccer president Steven Reed, who is also a board member for the bid, said in a statement.

“Canada has proven itself to be a soccer nation and we are confident Canadians will come together to show, once again, the wonderful Canadian hospitality that has helped make each of our previous FIFA tournaments successful.”

In August, the committee sent out requests for information to 44 cities, asking for declarations of interest. The 41 interested cities were announced at the beginning of September.

“Canadians have shown support for soccer . . . and the desire to welcome soccer fans from around the world.” PETER MONTOPOLI CANADA’S BID DIRECTOR

The 32 potential host cities that remain will now work with the committee on its bid strategy and vision, as well as with local officials, to finalize the hosting document required by FIFA. Representatives from each city will head to Houston in November for a working session with the committee. Final bids from the selected cities are due in January. The bid committee plans to include 20 to 25 venues in its official bid to FIFA, due in March. Cities not selected could serve as locations for broadcast centres, team base camps or to host events, such as the preliminary or final draw.

“The response from Canadian cities has been impressive and we are looking forward to working with our partners across the country as we move through the bid process to ensure as many Canadian cities are involved as possible,” said Canada Soccer’s general secretary, Peter Montopoli, the country’s bid director. “Once again, Canadians have shown support for soccer in this country and the desire to welcome soccer fans from around the world.”

FIFA will announce the winner in June. Canada has previously hosted the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in 2007, the Under-20 Women’s World Cup in 2014 and the 2015 Women’s World Cup, when matches were played at BC Place in Vancouver and Olympic Stadium in Montreal.

The Canadian men’s national team is ranked 95th in the world. Its only previous appearance in a World Cup competition came in 1986 in Mexico, where it was knocked out after losing its three group stage matches.