From left: Squamish Nation councillor Wilson Williams, B.C. Premier David Eby and Musqueam Nation Chief Wayne Sparrow sign soccer balls in Vancouver in June after announcing a memorandum of understanding regarding hosting FIFA World Cup 26 matches.DARRYL DYCK/The Canadian Press
The B.C. government has provided the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh nations with $18-million to support their role in hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup on their shared traditional territories.
BC Place, which is on the nations’ land, will host seven of the games, which are expected to cost up to $624-million and generate $1-billion in spending, according to the province.
The funding is part of what the province calls a historic partnership, marking the first time that B.C., the City of Vancouver and the three nations have formally agreed to work together planning and hosting such an event.
The nations, which each received $6-million, say the funding will go toward operational costs during the games next June and July, as well as for legacy projects such as sports infrastructure.
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B.C.’s Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport said the funding will “support the nations’ capacity and participation” in the tournament and go toward legacy projects for their communities.
A contribution agreement between the province and the MST nations provides guidelines on how the funding is to be spent, managed and reported. The Globe and Mail requested a copy, however the ministry said all parties needed to agree to release it first.
The province, the City of Vancouver and the three nations announced their partnership with a ceremony in June, during which they signed a memorandum of understanding pledging to work collaboratively on planning, staging and hosting the event.
The ceremony took place on Musqueam land at a sports facility built as a legacy of the 2010 Winter Olympics, which the MST nations co-hosted with the Lil’Wat Nation. Musqueam Chief Wayne Sparrow said the facility was symbolic of how local communities can benefit from major sporting events long after the games are over.
The Musqueam Indian Band told The Globe this week that part of the World Cup funding will go toward returfing the soccer field at the Olympic legacy site.
“We know more Musqueam youth will be inspired to play soccer after watching the world’s best come to Vancouver in six short months,” the nation said in a statement. “We are proud to host the international soccer community and have world-class soccer games played on the traditional territory of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations.”
BC Place stadium in Vancouver will host seven of the FIFA World Cup games.DARRYL DYCK/The Associated Press
Other investments will be focused on capital improvements, recreation programs and community welfare, with more details in the coming months, the statement said.
The Tsleil-Waututh Nation said it will use part of the money to fund a new turf soccer field to strengthen engagement in sports. And the Squamish Nation will put its share toward support staff and other resources during the games, as well as recreational legacy projects for the community, its council chairperson Wilson Williams said.
The MOU noted that most of the events will take place on the three nations’ territories, where the nations hold rights and title, and that the city and province will work in a way that respects MST governance and protocols.
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The province provided the MST nations with $600,000 in initial funding, with more expected to follow, the MOU said.
B.C. Conservative finance critic Peter Milobar said he was concerned by the lack of transparency from the NDP government.
“Anytime you have large international events like this, be it First Nations or municipalities or other groups getting money, there’s typically a very clear understanding of what that money is for,” he said. “Is it that the $6-million will be leveraged two-to-one dollars to improvements in the community? Is it for cultural events? Is it for cultural awareness?
“The fact that the province can’t even tell the public what exactly they’ve agreed to when they’ve arrived at a dollar figure makes no sense.”
In 2015, Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission issued 94 calls to action, one of which called on officials and host countries of international sporting events “to ensure that Indigenous peoples’ territorial protocols are respected, and local Indigenous communities are engaged in all aspects of planning and participating in such events.”
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B.C.’s Ministry of Tourism said the agreement is the first of its kind since that call.
The World Cup will begin June 11 with games in Mexico City and Guadalajara, and run through July 19 when the championship matchup is held in East Rutherford, N.J.
Sixteen cities across Canada, the U.S. and Mexico will host the 104 games; Vancouver will hold seven games and Toronto six.
As of June, B.C.’s range of gross core hosting costs were estimated to be between $532-million and $624-million, according to the province. Factoring in estimated revenues and recoveries, B.C. expects its net hosting costs to be between $85-million and $145-million.
The tournament is expected to draw about 350,000 spectators to BC Place, according to the province. Modelling shows $1-billion will be added to the provincial GDP in 2026 and more than one million additional out-of-province visitors are expected over the following five years, thanks to the event.
With a report from The Canadian Press
What's Canada's path to the World Cup?
On Wednesday, Dec. 10 at 1 p.m. ET, sports reporter Paul Attfield and columnist Cathal Kelly will answer reader questions on Canada’s path in the 2026 World Cup and how it could fare in the group matchups and beyond. Submit your questions in the form below, or by e-mailing audience@globeandmail.com with “World Cup” in the subject line.