Toronto, Edmonton, Vancouver vie for selection as FIFA set to announce 2026 World Cup host cities

FIFA is set to announce its host cities for the 2026 World Cup on Thursday with Edmonton, Toronto and Vancouver the three Canadian cities seeking selection. 

In all, 22 candidate cities have raised their hand to stage matches for the expanded 48-team men's tournament that will be hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

The announcement will be made at a news conference in New York.

Recent reports have suggested that FIFA could select 10-12 host cities from the U.S. for the tournament, Mexico with three and Canada reduced to two. 

Montreal dropped out last August after the Quebec provincial government withdrew its support, citing cost overruns that would have been difficult to justify to taxpayers. It was replaced in April by Vancouver, which made an initial bid in 2017, then withdrew in 2018 with Premier John Horgan citing the unknown costs of hosting the event.

The provincial government changed its mind last summer with Melanie Mark, B.C.'s minister of tourism, arts, culture and sport, saying hosting the event would be a once-in-a-generation opportunity for soccer fans and the province's tourism sector.

Vancouver hosted nine games during the 2015 Women's World Cup, including the final, which drew more than 50,000 fans. Edmonton's Commonwealth Stadium also hosted games in 2015.

Toronto was not part of the 2015 women's World Cup, instead hosting the Pan-American Games.

If Toronto and Vancouver are selected, both will have work to do.

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Vancouver's BC Place has an artificial playing surface which would need to be replaced. FIFA requires all World Cup games must kae place on natural grass. 

Toronto's BMO Field will need to be expanded to bring it up to the FIFA minimum