A setback for the Calgary 2026 Olympic project? Maybe. The Canadian government announced Tuesday, September 13, through its Minister of Sports, Kirsty Duncan, to support the joint candidacy of Canada, the United States and Mexico for the Football World Cup in 2026.
Certainly, at this stage it is a green light “in principle. » Ottawa authorities want to know a little more about the cost of the event and its impact on the state budget. But by officially declaring itself in favor of the project, Justin Trudeau's government is taking a big step forward.
Kirsty Duncan explained it: in the event of victory for the American case against the Moroccan project, next June during the FIFA congress in Moscow, the Canadian government will invest 5 million dollars. A sum supposed to support the development of plans and budgets » which will allow the federal authorities to take “ informed decisions regarding tournament financing. » As a bonus, the government will cover expenses related to security and border control. Classic.
Reaction from Steven Reed, president of Canada Soccer, also co-president of the 2026 World Cup bid: “ I would like to thank the Government of Canada for its support. As the only G7 country to have never hosted the men's tournament, we are more than ready to welcome the world, in collaboration with our neighbors, Mexico and the United States"
One question remains: by supporting the project, is the federal government burying Calgary's possible candidacy for the 2026 Winter Games? A little over two weeks before the date set by the IOC to send a letter of intent, the capital of Alberta has still not taken a clear position. Its municipal council is awaiting a green light from Ottawa regarding financial guarantees from the State on the Olympic project. It's slow to come. But Justin Trudeau has never hidden it: chasing two hares at once, the 2026 World Cup and the Winter Games in the same year, is not within Canada's means.
However, the mayor of Calgary, Naheed Nenshi, still believes in continuing the project. “ If the North American file is selected for the 2026 World Cup, Canada will not host a ton of matches, he suggests, cited by the Calgary Sun. Therefore, I am confident that we have the capacity to host both events in the same year, provided the federal authorities are willing. »
