Vancouver first city chosen to host FIFA World Cup 2026

Amazing news coming out of the world of sports. For all soccer enthusiasts Vancouver is the first city chosen to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup. 

The WorldCup2026 host cities in the West:

1. Vancouver 2. Seattle 3. San Francisco 4. Los Angeles 5. Guadalajara

Vancouver is the first city chosen to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup! pic.twitter.com/Q7UAsyDX7o

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) June 16, 2022

Your #FIFAWorldCup 2026 Host Cities:

🇺🇸Atlanta
🇺🇸Boston
🇺🇸Dallas
🇲🇽Guadalajara
🇺🇸Houston
🇺🇸Kansas City
🇺🇸Los Angeles
🇲🇽Mexico City
🇺🇸Miami
🇲🇽Monterrey
🇺🇸New York / New Jersey
🇺🇸Philadelphia
🇺🇸San Francisco Bay Area
🇺🇸Seattle
🇨🇦Toronto
🇨🇦Vancouver

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 16, 2022

No word yet on how many games Vancouver will host.

BC Place is the chosen venue where all the matches will be played in Vancouver. BC Place was the stadium where the Women's World Cup Final was held in 2015. 

BC Premier John Horgan expressed his enthusiasm on Vancouver being selected as a host.

YES! We’re thrilled to welcome the world! #FIFAWorldCup #HostCity2026 https://t.co/hOX430K7uA

— John Horgan (@jjhorgan) June 16, 2022

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, and Sport Melanie Mark was thrilled on hearing the news of Vancouver being selected and shared her excitement via a Twitter post.

Thrilled that BC has made its mark! Vancouver is hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2026! This is a dream come true for sports fans and a huge boost for tourism and local businesses hit hard by covid. It shows the power of partnership. Check out the details 👉🏽 https://t.co/8a9x90wpcz pic.twitter.com/nMVCOE7jcF

— Melanie Mark (@melaniejmark) June 16, 2022

We did it! Congratulations Vancouver on being named a #FIFA2026WorldCup host city! T'ooyaksim' N'iisim' @yvrairport @HelloBC @CityofVancouver @CanadaSoccerEN & local host Nations! Anything is possible when you #PaddleTogether pic.twitter.com/xdZUfC127N

— Melanie Mark (@melaniejmark) June 16, 2022

B.C. pulled out of contention back in 2018 with Premier John Horgan citing the unknown costs of hosting the event. The province jumped back in last summer after FIFA came back to the Province. 

The stadium’s artificial turf was replaced in January but grass must be installed before it can host World Cup games in 2026.

The cost of the renovations have not been calculated, Mark said, but B.C. is expecting to spend between $240-million and $260-million on hosting the tournament.

Edmonton also made a bid to be a host.

On the other hand, the Mayor of Edmonton Amarjeet Sohi shared his sentiments with Edmonton not being chosen for FIFA World Cup 2026.

I am proud of the bid that we put forward, and I will explore other ways to put Edmonton on the world stage. I wish the recently announced host cities the best of luck in 2026. #YEG

— Amarjeet Sohi (@AmarjeetSohiYEG) June 16, 2022

Montreal dropped out of Canada’s bid last August after the Quebec provincial government withdrew its support, citing cost overruns that would have been difficult to justify to taxpayers.

There are 80 games that will be divided between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. It is anticipated that the US will be awarded most of the games, from the quarterfinals to the championship game.

Photo courtesy of IStock.