Toronto may have to scale back on FIFA World Cup budget after provincial 'clawback': Chow

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says the city is facing a nearly $40 million shortfall in money needed to host six FIFA World Cup matches next year, after a new report revealed that a substantial amount of funding pledged by the province will be used up for various services.

Chow said the city did not anticipate service costs — including "beautification" of transit stations and security — to absorb nearly one-third of the $97 million contribution pledged by the Ontario government.

"The city cannot afford to pay more than what it can pay now. We can't go and find any more cash, we just don't have it," Chow told reporters at a news conference ahead of the city council meeting Wednesday.

Toronto is set to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches in just over a year but budget allocations have not yet been finalized.

Chow said she will not be increasing the city's spending as a result of the shortfall, but will look for ways to scale back if needed.

"$178 million is all we can afford, not a penny more. So we will have to either find $40 million somewhere … or we will have to cut the budget. There is no other way."

According to the report released Tuesday, the provincial contribution would come as a combination of direct funding and services including policing, transportation and healthcare. Chow was critical of some of those allocations, saying they shouldn't come at the expense of the core budget.

"Maybe the province can look at the list that they gave us to say, well, is the beautification of the GO station really part of what FIFA is about?" Chow said. "If I want to beautify TTC subway stations, there are many of them that need it too. Should I add that in as a FIFA cost? I don't think so."

City council are set to discuss the