TO help bolster the Government of B.C.’s efforts to land FIFA 2026 World Cup games in B.C., Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart on Tuesday announced his intention to contribute up to $5 million in local funding contributions.

To bring FIFA’s 2015 Women’s World Cup to Vancouver, the City contributed funding alongside the federal and provincial governments, including $1.5 million dollars in operating funds.

Stewart said: “Our starting point for the 2026 World Cup was for the event to come at no additional cost, but given the tremendous opportunity we have to support the province and our hard-hit tourism sector, I am proud to announce that in the coming weeks I will recommend to Council that we triple our 2015 World Cup investment and commit up to $5 million in contributions to secure 2026 matches for B.C.”

He said that he agreed with the Premier that the World Cup is an important tool to help our tourism sector recover after more than two years of challenges, and noted that Vancouver has a strong track record of helping the Province land world class events.

“In 2015, Vancouver proudly hosted FIFA’s Women’s World Cup, including the final match where USA defeated Japan 5-2,” said Stewart. “We have a chance to welcome the world back to B.C. in 2026, and I want to do everything I can to make that happen.”