Edmonton won't host 2026 World Cup matches as FIFA picks Toronto, Vancouver
Edmonton has lost its bid to host the World Cup in 2026 as FIFA announced Toronto and Vancouver as the lone Canadian cities for the tournament.
FIFA announced the 16 host cities in New York City Wednesday afternoon: Toronto, Vancouver, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Guadalajara, Kansas City, Dallas, Atlanta, Houston, Monterrey, Mexico City, Boston, Philadelphia, Miami, New York/New Jersey.
The United States will host 60 matches, including everything from the quarterfinals on, while Canada and Mexico will each host 10 matches.
'OBVIOUSLY DISAPPOINTED'
City of Edmonton officials pitched their case to FIFA until late last night, according to the mayor.
"We put forward a very compelling bid for FIFA to look at," Amarjeet Sohi said from a watch party at Commonwealth Stadium.
"Obviously we are disappointed that FIFA did not choose Edmonton to host the 2026 World Cup."
Sohi thanked all levels of government and, along with city manager Andre Corbould, repeated how proud he was of the team behind the bid.
After pleading for weeks, the province supported the city's bid with $110 million in March — with a catch: Alberta asked that Edmonton host five of Canada's 10 matches, including two in the knockout rounds.
However, Sohi doesn't think Alberta's demands hurt Edmonton's bid.
"I don't think that could have been a roadblock. We sent out letters yesterday confirming both the province's and the city’s commitment."
Alberta Culture Minister Ron Orr is also disappointed in Thursday's outcome.
“It is unfortunate that soccer fans will not experience the beauty and vibrancy of Edmonton and our province as a whole," he said in a statement.
The United States and Mexico have hosted the World Cup before, but this is the first men's tournament to be hosted in Canada.
It will also be the first World Cup in three countries and with 48 teams.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
'A huge difference': These adults born in the '90s partnered with their parents to buy homes in Ontario
An Ontario woman said it would have been impossible to buy a house without her mother – an anecdote that animates the fact that over 17 per cent of Canadian homeowners born in the ‘90s own their property with their parents, according to a new report.
OPINION No reunion between Prince Harry and the King signifies a setback for royal unity
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Northern Ont. woman makes 'eggstraordinary' find
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
How Drake and Kendrick Lamar's rap beef escalated within weeks
A long-simmering feud between hip-hop superstars Drake and Kendrick Lamar reached a boiling point in recent days as the pair traded increasingly personal insults on a succession of diss tracks. Here’s a quick overview of what’s behind the ongoing beef.
NEW For their protection, immigrants critical of China and India call for speedy passage of Canada's foreign interference legislation
Canadian immigrants threatened by hostile regimes are urging parliamentarians to quickly pass the 'Countering Foreign Interference Act' so they can feel safe living in their adopted home.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
Spanish prosecutors recommend 2nd investigation into Shakira's taxes be thrown out
Spanish state prosecutors recommended Wednesday that an investigating judge shelve a probe into another alleged case of tax fraud by pop star Shakira.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.