Montreal part of winning bid to host 2026 World Cup

Montreal is part of the winning 2026 World Cup bid for men's soccer.The city is one of three in Canada that is likely tohost games during the tournament.

"This is a big major step for Canadian soccer," said Patrice Bernier, a former captain for theMontreal Impact and the national team.

Bernier, a native of Brossard, Que., is hopefulexposureto soccer's highest level of play will "boost" participation at both the recreational level and inthenational program.

The specificsof how many games will be played in Montreal and how much it will cost taxpayers, however, remain unclear.

Member associationsvoted Wednesday at the FIFA Congress in Moscow in favour of the North American bid over that ofMorocco.

The current blueprint calls for Canada and Mexico to stage 10 games each, with the U.S. to host 60. A total of 10games in Canada could be divided between Montreal, Edmonton and Toronto pending final approval from FIFA.

The Montreal games wouldbe held at the Olympic Stadium.

Costly upgrades required

Michel Labrecque, president ofOlympicinstallations board, said major upgrades will be required to ensure the field, lighting and security meetFIFArequirements.

Labrecquesaid the aim is to have the games played with the roof open on natural grass. He said it was too early to put a price tag on the upgrades.

The Quebec government last year announcedthe stadium will have a new $250-million roof by 2023.

Labrecquepointed out that the Olympic Stadium has already played host to thewomen's World Cup and the FIFAU-20 World Cup.

RosannieFilato, the city councillorfor sports and recreation on Montreal's executive committee, said the projected cost of hosting the games is $69 million, not including improvements to the stadium.

The federal andprovincial governments will cover about 65 per cent of that amount, she said.

Filato projects the tournament will bring $200 million to the city and, she said, untold social benefits.

"On a social level, our youth, we're trying to get them active and moving," she said.

Mayor Valrie Plantesignalled her approval on Twitter early Wednesday. DenisCoderre, who was mayor when the bid was put forward, also sent out a congratulatory tweet.

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Vancouver recently opted out of the World Cup bid out of concern it would be too costly.

LisaBeare, the province's ministerof tourism, arts and culture, said in May such an event comes "with potential risks, so we're lookingat those risksand going to make a decision that's in the best interest of B.C. taxpayers."

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