Messy transportation, impact on communities pose questions for Canada's World Cup host cities

It is commonly known that there are two seasons in Toronto: winter and construction.

As the 2026 FIFA men’s World Cup quickly approaches, construction is not only on highways or on unfinished transit projects, it is on display at BMO field, one of the event's two Canadian venues. BMO field sits just off the Gardiner Expressway, one of Toronto’s major arteries,.

The temporary stands that were constructed to accommodate a massive leap in attendance swell from the ground. BMO has a normal capacity of just over 28,000 and will increase to 45,736 seats.

There has been online chatter about how Torontonians and BMO regulars dislike the new arrangements.

Some fans argued they “don’t look” safe and may be rickety, but in 2018 I attended a River Plate match at the legendary Estadio Mâs Monumental in Buenos Aires before the major renovations of 2020. Every time the crowd roared, I felt that the entire stadium would collapse. I was assured from friends with me that it was safe and totally normal. It was fine.

The reality in Toronto is that accommodating 17,000 more people is the top priority even if it doesn’t match a millennium-style aesthetic preference. They are metal stands for a World Cup match, not velvet sofas at an underground lounge.

FIFA World Cup: Toronto stadium upgrades questioned

Engineering experts and spokespeople for the city have confirmed the seating to be safe for these types of circumstances, and meet all required building codes.

Rob Notenboom is the president of Canada’s largest supporters group: The Voyageurs. The V’s as they are known to soccer fans, are a small volunteer group which often travels in support of the men’s and women’s national teams. I asked Notenboom what the group was thinking about