If things go according to plan, four Canadian cities will host matches at the 2026 World Cup.
Canadian Soccer Association general secretary Peter Montopoli told The Toronto Sun’s Kurt Larson in a story published on Monday that he’d like for four Canadian cities to host games should the joint bid from Canada, the US and Mexico be awarded the 2026 World Cup.
If the bid wins hosting rights, the US would host 60 of the 80 games at the 2026 World Cup, with Canada and Mexico hosting 10 matches each. FIFA requires all men’s World Cup matches to be played in stadiums with at least 40,000 seats and on natural grass.
Montopoli did not name any specific cities, but noted that multiple Canadian mayors had expressed their desire to be a part of any future tournament hosting opportunities following the success of the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada.
Canada, the US and Mexico announced in April their joint bid for the 2026 tournament, the first in which the World Cup field will be expanded from 32 to 48 teams. Other countries have until mid-August to challenge the bid, which is considered the overwhelming favorite to be awarded the tournament.
The Canadian men's national team topped Curacao 2-1 in a friendly at Stade Saputo on Tuesday night.
