The Government of Canada Announces its Support-in-Principle for the United 2026 bid to Co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cuptm in Canada, Mexico and the United States

The Government of Canada announces its support-in-principle for the United 2026 Bid to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cuptm in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

TORONTO, March 13, 2018 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities, announced that the Government of Canada is supporting-in-principle the United 2026 bid to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cuptm in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

Held every four years, the FIFA World Cuptm is the most prestigious tournament for the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). Co-hosting this international event watched by billions of people worldwide would provide considerable sport, social, community, cultural and economic benefits as well as showcase Canada around the world.

While Canada has never hosted the FIFA World Cuptm for Men, it has successfully hosted all other FIFA competitions, including the record setting FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015tm. Held in six cities and provinces from coast to coast across Canada, 1.35 million spectators that attended the newly expanded 24-team competition contributed to an economic impact of nearly a half-a-billion dollars.

The soccer governing bodies for Canada, Mexico and the United States jointly announced on April 10, 2017, that they would pursue a bid for the 2026 FIFA World Cuptm.

The importance of the Canada-United States-Mexico relationship is reflected in our strong diplomatic, cultural, educational and commercial relations. Canada remains committed to strengthening its multi-faceted relationship with its North American friends and allies. The collaboration of our three governments in support of the United Bid for the 2026 FIFA World Cuptm is another example of how much our three countries can achieve when we work together toward common goals.

On June 13, 2018, FIFA will announce if United 2026, Morocco, or neither bidder will host the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup.

Quotes

"Hosting major sporting events allows Canadian athletes to compete at home in front of their families, friends and fans. It is also a significant opportunity for Canadians to witness, first-hand, world-class sport competitions. What better place to host the 2026 FIFA World Cuptm than in our multicultural cities where every team is a home team!"

?The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Sport and Persons with Disabilities

"On behalf of Canada Soccer, I would like to thank the Government of Canada for their support of the United Bid to host the 2026 FIFA World Cuptm in Canada, Mexico and the United States. Canada has raised the bar for women's and youth FIFA competitions including the most recent record-setting FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015tm and as the only G7 country to have not hosted the men's competition, we are more than ready to welcome the world along with our neighbours in Mexico and the United States."

?Steven Reed, President, Canada Soccer and Co-chair, United Bid Committee

Quick Facts

The FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015 and the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Canada 2014 helped generate $493.6 million in economic activity for Canada.

The Government of Canada is the single largest investor in Canada's sport system, promoting sport participation among all Canadians and providing support for young athletes, their national and multisport organizations, and the hosting of international events so that our athletes can compete with the best.

If the event is awarded to United 2026, the Government of Canada will provide up to $5 million to support continued development of event plans and budgets that will inform future decisions around specific funding for the event.

Associated Links

United 2026  
Canadian Soccer Association 
Sport Canada Facebook  
Sport Canada Twitter 
Sport Canada Instagram

Backgrounder

The United 2026 Bid for the 2026 FIFA World Cup^TM

Overview

The FIFA World Cup^TM, held every four years, is the most prestigious tournament for the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA).

On April 10, 2017, the soccer governing bodies for Canada, Mexico, and the United States jointly announced that they will pursue a bid for the 2026 FIFA World Cup^TM. Morocco is currently the only other eligible nation that is bidding.

On December 18, 2017, the Canadian Soccer Association submitted a formal request for hosting support and funding for the 2026 FIFA World Cup^TM.

On June 13, 2018, 211 FIFA members will vote to determine if United 2026, Morocco, or neither will host the 2026 FIFA World Cup^TM.

Important Steps in the Bid Process

• March 16, 2018: Submission of the United 2026 Bid Book to FIFA.
• June 13, 2018: a FIFA Congress vote will occur to determine if United 2026 or Morocco is awarded the 2026 FIFA World Cup^TM; if neither bid is awarded the event, the process is then open to all other FIFA members.

Success of Hosting the Recent FIFA World Cup^TM for Women

Major international sport events provide an opportunity to bring together athletes, spectators and tourists from across the world and to showcase a country on the international stage. Hosting such events can offer host countries and cities a powerful catalyst for cultural, social and economic growth.

In 2015, Canada hosted the FIFA World Cup^TM for Women from June 6 to July 5, 2015. It was held in six cities from coast to coast across five time zones: Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Montréal and Moncton. The 52?match tournament attracted 576 of the world's top players and 48 coaches from 24 countries.

The Women's World Cup Canada 2015^TM and the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Canada 2014^TM helped generate $493.6 million in economic activity for Canada.

There were opportunities to leverage the FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015^TM for social development goals both within host cities and across the country. One example was "Live Your Goals," a dedicated FIFA development campaign aimed at inspiring girls and young women to get involved in soccer and stay in the game.

As we move forward, all governments and sport partners will discuss planning and development of legacy and leveraging initiatives if United 2026 is awarded the event.

Sport Legacy and Indigenous Partnership

Soccer is the sport with the most participants in the world. Hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup^TM would provide the opportunity to continue to grow participation rates for both girls and boys in Canada and for the Canadian men's and women's national teams to compete against the best soccer players in the world. Hosting the event could invigorate both men's and women's high-performance soccer in Canada and the next generation of athletes.

Major sport events provide opportunities to positively impact and engage Indigenous groups, promote sport within Indigenous communities and showcase Indigenous culture as part of a broader celebration of diversity and inclusion. These activities contribute to and promote reconciliation.

Multicultural Communities in Canada

Canada welcomes approximately 300,000 new immigrants each year from all over the world. One fifth of Canadians were born elsewhere and chose to immigrate here. During the FIFA World Cup^TM, Canadians from all backgrounds will come to cheer on their roots and their favourite teams together. Canada is a country that celebrates our diversity as a strength. Every team is a home team.

SOURCE Canadian Heritage