Photo credit: Toronto Star
A new poll suggests Toronto-area residents are unconvinced that hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be worth the public cost, with many expecting the tournament will bring disruption and limited local benefits.
Toronto Today reports that a new survey published by the Angus Reid Institute found 70 per cent of respondents in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) believe the public costs of hosting matches are not worth the potential trade-offs.
Toronto is one of two Canadian cities hosting the tournament, alongside Vancouver, with a total of six World Cup matches scheduled at Toronto Stadium (BMO Field) beginning June 12.
Canada is expected to spend more than $1 billion to co-host FIFA, with each match costing an estimated $82 million. About $473 million in funding comes from federal support, while the rest is covered by different levels of government.
Mayor Olivia Chow has long insisted the city won’t exceed its $380 million budget to host the tournament in Toronto. But the city still had to spend some extra money, like the additional $9 million, needed to host the FIFA Fan Festival.
The Angus Reid survey was conducted from May 7 to 11 and polled a randomized sample of 1,803 Canadian adults.
The poll found concerns in Toronto largely centre on disruption to daily life, including road closures, security perimeters and the impact of the city’s summer event calendar. It also highlighted skepticism over who stands to benefit financially.
In Toronto, 80 per cent of respondents said they believe the tournament will mostly benefit FIFA, its sponsors and other big businesses, rather than residents and their communities.
When it comes to transparency, about one-third of GTA respondents said they believe the municipal government will be fully open about the final cost of hosting once the tournament concludes.
Overall, 47 per cent of GTA respondents described hosting the World Cup as a “poor investment” for the city, compared with 20 per cent who called it a “good one.”
Despite Toronto’s role as a host city, public enthusiasm appears to be split. The poll found 51 per cent of GTA respondents said they are disinterested in watching matches in any capacity, compared with 49 per cent who expressed some level of excitement to take part in FIFA fever.
