Canada Soccer CEO Kevin Blue, seen here at an event unveiling Canada’s 2026 World Cup jerseys in Toronto last month, plans to spread the influx of money it will receive through co-hosting this year's World Cup out into less fruitful years in the future.Sammy Kogan/The Canadian Press
Canada Soccer’s bottom line is headed in the right direction.
The governing body reports a smaller-than-expected deficit of $1,438,032 in 2025 and is forecasting a surplus of $6,555,000 in 2026.
“Thanks to the work of many people over several years, we have the federation in a stable and positive position,” Canada Soccer CEO Kevin Blue said in an interview.
Success at this summer’s World Cup will only help the finances.
The 2026 surplus is due to the fact that World Cup years generate higher revenue – albeit with higher expenses – plus continued growth in philanthropic support through the Canada Soccer Foundation.
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Revenue via philanthropy was $5,179,358 in 2025, compared to $1,702,825 in 2024. It should continue to rise in 2026 with both repeat and new gifts.
Philanthropy helped reduce the 2025 deficit by $921,562 from the forecast shortfall of $2,404,594. The 2024 deficit was $3,996,362.
Revenue for 2026 is forecast at $62-million against expected expenses of $55.4-million. That’s up from revenue of $40,244,160 in 2025 and $37,261,405 in 2024.
Expenses were $42,134,346 in 2025 and $41,117,239 in ‘24.
Toronto's BMO Field is going through a significant seating expansion to accommodate the games it will host at this year's World Cup.Eduardo Lima/The Canadian Press
But Blue cautioned that four-year cycles can produce different annual financial pictures. There are more opportunities available in a World Cup year and Canada Soccer plans to use the expected 2026 surplus to help even out the financial road in less fertile years.
The 2026 ledger includes World Cup prize money. Canada is guaranteed at least US$10.5-million from the tournament, with all teams receiving US$1.5-million in preparation money with another US$9-million going to teams that don’t exit the group stage.
The purse grows as teams progress through the tournament, with the champion walking away with US$50-million.
Some of that prize money will go to the players, however. Under their newly ratified labour agreement, the Canadian men will receive $25,000 for each of the three group stage games.
That translates into $1.95-million in player payments during the group stage.
Should the team reach the knockout stages, 50 per cent of additional prize money would be split between the men’s and women’s teams (providing the women make the 2027 World Cup) with the other half going to Canada Soccer.
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Prize money from the knockout round of the 2027 World Cup will be split in similar fashion, with the women also getting $25,000 per group stage outing.
The 2026 figures do not include any legacy money from co-hosting the World Cup. That money – the exact amount is not yet known – is being earmarked for a national training centre.
Other pluses are Canada Soccer’s revamped agreement with Canadian Soccer Media & Entertainment (CSME) and ratification of long-awaited labour agreements with the men’s and women’s national teams.
According to the 2025 financial statement, Canada Soccer received $3.9-million from CSME last year under the old deal. While the new agreement kicked in Jan. 1, it is structured to provide higher returns in future years.
Canada Soccer continues to help both the Canadian Premier League and Northern Super League.
Under an agreement that started in January 2019 and runs through December 2027, it has provided an annual contribution of $1-million to the domestic men’s pro league.
Its deal with the NSL calls for total funding of $9-million from May 2025 to December 2033. The women’s league also received $1-million from Canada Soccer in 2025.