US EditionMayor Olivia Chow threatens to cut 2026 World Cup budget over funding dispute with province
- Mayor Olivia Chow announced on May 22, 2026, that Toronto will not increase its $178 million budget for hosting six 2026 FIFA World Cup matches amid a funding dispute with Ontario.
- The disagreement stems from rising provincial service costs near $40 million, which reduce Ontario's $97 million cash contribution originally pledged to cover policing, transit, and health services.
- Toronto must fund $179 million of the $380 million total estimated cost to host the games, while the federal government contributes $104 million, and negotiations over provincial support continue amid unsettled allocations.
- Mayor Chow stated, "We can't go and find any more cash" and threatened to cut $40 million from the event budget if Ontario does not resolve the funding shortfall.
- This impasse one year before the tournament suggests possible scaling back of Toronto’s commitments and highlights tensions between the city and province over responsibility for increased hosting costs.
18 Articles
18 Articles
Toronto May Scale Back Funding for 2026 FIFA World Cup, Mayor Says
Funding may need to be scaled back for the six 2026 FIFA World Cup matches set to take place in Toronto next June, as financial discussions between the city and the Ontario government continue, Mayor Olivia Chow says. A May 20 report from Toronto’s World Cup Secretariat to city council indicates the expenses associated with public transport, law enforcement, and health-care services, among other areas, have risen to nearly $40 million overall—su…
Toronto may have to scale back on FIFA World Cup budget after provincial 'clawback': Chow
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says the city is facing a nearly $40 million shortfall in money needed to host six FIFA World Cup matches next year, after a new report revealed that a substantial amount of funding pledged by the province will be used up for various services.
Mayor Olivia Chow threatens to cut 2026 World Cup budget over funding dispute with province
A city report says that the cost of some services the province said it would pay for out of its $97-million contribution are “substantially higher” than budgeted, which may leave Toronto on the hook for more money.
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