Thirteen months out from the world’s biggest sporting spectacle, Toronto finds itself not on the pitch but deep in the weeds, hustling just to fund its World Cup hosting duties. The clock’s ticking, the stakes couldn’t be higher, and the city’s facing a real test of grit—on and off the field.
With six matches set to take place at BMO Field, Toronto is one of two Canadian cities carrying the nation’s soccer dreams. Mayor Olivia Chow stands front and centre, holding firm on the city’s $178.7 million commitment, even as the cost of public services, from expanded transit to hospital surge capacity, creeps ever upward. Chow’s message is blunt: there’s no more money to give. Ontario’s Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy echoes the sentiment, making it clear the province will not go beyond its $97 million pledge. These leaders, along with city staff and the World Cup organizing committee, are wrestling with the realities of co-hosting a major international tournament.
What’s happening behind the scenes is far more than just laying down sod and painting lines. The city is grappling with an estimated $39 million spike in provincial service costs, including $14 million for policing, $15 million for health services, and another $6.6 million to give public transit a World Cup-worthy facelift. Meanwhile, federal funding stands at $104 million, still short of covering the ballooning expenses. Negotiations drag on as stakeholders try to close the gap, all while the eyes of the soccer world focus on Toronto’s preparations.
The timeline is unforgiving. The opening match at BMO Field is set for June 12, 2026, with preparations already behind the pace. Hosting the World Cup isn’t just about the games—it’s a showcase for Toronto, a test of its infrastructure and public service backbone. If the money doesn’t materialize, it’s not just the event at risk, but the city’s broader reputation and residents’ day-to-day lives.
Toronto’s predicament highlights a classic Canadian tension between big dreams and limited pocketbooks. The World Cup offers an unmatched spotlight, but it demands a level of readiness and cooperation that’s still a work in progress. For now, the city’s fate rests on tough negotiations, a healthy dose of old-fashioned pragmatism, and the hope that when the whistle blows, Toronto will be ready—on the pitch and everywhere else that counts.
References:
City of Toronto still sorting out World Cup funding with 13 months to go
