The 2026 World Cup will feature more than a dozen matches played in Canada this summer, and a new analysis estimates each game will cost $82 million of government funding.
The parliamentary budget officer (PBO) released its analysis Wednesday of federal commitments and costs associated with co-hosting the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup, and how much taxpayers will be on the hook for.
It estimates a total cost of $1.1 billion, of which $473 million will come from the federal government, and the remaining $593 million will come from other levels of government.
Get breaking National news
The PBO report says this means each of the 13 total games played on Canadian soil will cost about $82 million. It adds that this figure is consistent with past public spending to host World Cup events.
The PBO report says Canada is spending less than some of the most recent World Cup events.
For example, in U.S. dollars, Canada spending $59.6 million per game (approximately C$82 million as of publication) is less than the $90.9 million that Brazil spent per game in 2014, and the $79.6 million Russia spent in 2018. The PBO did not provide figures from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar for comparison.
- Carney is starting talks on a lower carbon price in B.C. premier meeting
- Ontario government bans Chinese drones from police operations over data concerns
- Quebec jail guards protest expired contract, growing use of drones to move contraband
- Anand summons Israel envoy over ‘mistreatment’ of Canadians aboard flotilla
-
![]()
Defence spending ‘not only tanks and guns,’ NATO-allied bank to secure Canada: Expert -
![]()
Mushrooms Making Music: Inside Arcadia Earth’s Wild New Exhibit -
![]()
Canada’s Snowbirds grounded until early 2030s as feds identify replacement aircraft -
![]()
Carney breaks ground on Nouveau Monde Graphite’s Matawinie Mine in Québec
World Cup soccer games are some of the most costly sporting events. In fact, the cost of one game is comparable to the entire upper limit salary cap for an NHL team of $95.5 million in the 2025-26 season.
The PBO says some of the biggest expenditures include hosting costs in Toronto and Vancouver, specifically operations and infrastructure like stadium upgrades, in addition to public safety funding like security at events directly, bolstering border services, and providing additional RCMP units for security. This also includes $126 million in federal funding specifically for BMO Field, FIFA training sites and BC Place Vancouver via the Canadian Heritage Department.
This is outrageous!! People in this country are struggling with Tariffs and gas prices and now you want taxpayers to pay for Soccer! Maybe only the diehard soccer fans should be paying for this. Thank you
Given the cost for each game and the costs of policing and other security this is starting to look like yet another billion dollar boondoggle from both Federal and Provincial governments to accommodate a competition that is a net loser for overburdened Canadian t
That cost is ridiculous for taxpayers to pay. This competition will only be a money maker for FIFA not for anyone else. I wonder if we will ever get the exact numbers to see how much money will be made or lost. I what soccer all the time but will not watch this farce of a competition. It used to be an achievement to just play in the World Cup but FIFA has opened it up so much that it’s just a money maker for them.
Cocsuckers.We don’t need that sht game here, we have hockey and the TO blusejays
This is a disgusting abuse of taxpayers money. No one asked if we wanted the games. With homelessness on the rise, people struggling to pay for groceries and on and on it goes. Think of where 89 million a day would go towards helping that? We live in the Interior- what will be our benefit? BC is bigger than just the Vancouver area.
That estimate of $82 million doesn’t include security expect it to rise to over $100 million a game and the tax payer will never get to know the real cost.
I am in a city that doesn’t get these games and I should not have to pay for them either thru taxes.
The reason our costs are high as the Liberals have to appease their constituency. Special interest groups, unions where not needed, etc etc. Look in the mirror. No one focuses on the economic and social benefits. That is not sexy enough to sell advertising for Global and other media
Elitists.
Elbows up libatards !
I didn’t ask for these games, I don’r want them, and I don’t want my money wasted on them when there are so many more important things the money should be spent on.
“It estimates a total cost of $1.1 billion” of taxpayer money. Yet many Canadians don’t have safe drinking water or are homeless. Money wasted so people can watch someone kick a ball. ‘Skroo’ FIFA!!
What a colossal waste of money. What benefits do Canadian taxpayers get from these games? Absolutely nothing! That money could be used for so many other things that would actually benefit Canadians like health care, education and cost of living.
Plucking ridiculous waste,how many won’t go home after and claim refugee status
What a waste of money!! People are struggling to have a roof over their heads and food on the table! We need to get our priorties straight and I don’t see playing games as a priority.
a big waste of tax payers $$$$$
1.1 Billion dollars, would hire more nurses or teachers, or help with affordable housing. So many better ways to spend taxpayer dollars.
That’s ok
Canadians like to waste their tax dollars on nonsense
They argue endlessly for the government to do so
Shouldn’t be allowed
Crazy – yet FIFA will make over USA$1 billion…
Great more money going elsewhere at a time we need yo look after our people