Support for FIFA bid high on Edmonton's wish list in provincial budget

Edmonton city councillors are leaning on the province for millions of dollars this year to help in several core areas, like supportive housing and recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

But when Alberta Finance Minister Travis Toews unveils Alberta's new budget on Thursday, some councillors are also hoping to hear the province will back the city's bid to host some of the FIFA World Cup games in 2026. 

Support from the province is key for Edmonton to become one of 16 host cities in North America, said Coun. Tim Cartmell. 

"We need them to declare that support in the next few weeks," Cartmell said Wednesday.

FIFA is set to decide by next month which cities will host the international tournament. 

The city doesn't need money yet but will in two years or so to upgrade Commonwealth Stadium, establish a festival site downtown and to cover operating costs when the event starts, Cartmell said.

The cost to host the games would be split one-third among the three levels of government, with the amount yet to be determined.

Edmonton's chances to host FIFA games hinge on provincial funding, mayor says

The games would expose Edmonton and Alberta to international interests, Cartmell said. 

"It's not just five soccer games in August," he said. "It's the lead-in to 10,000 conversations about what Edmonton is, where it is, what it can do and by extension, where Alberta is, what is does, what it can do." 

Several established and burgeoning industries like hydrogen, innovation and technology, warehousing and manufacturing, could benefit for years, he suggested.

"It allows us for four years and likely longer — beyond the actual event — to really tell Alberta's story in the international context," Cartmell said.

Support to host the FIFA 2026