Seattle among 23 finalists to host 2026 World Cup

Yesterday, our sister station Sportsnet 650 broke the story that Vancouver missed the deadline, and that Toronto, Montreal, and Edmonton would be among the Canadian cities under consideration for the 2026 World Cup.

"We anticipate $170 million", he said, adding the expectation is that cost for each municipality, if successful, would likely end up at $30-$40 million and that the city would be hopeful of sharing those costs with the other levels of government.

"That poses significant risk to B.C. taxpayers", she said.

The Minneapolis group said it had concerns about "future liability and unforeseen changes in commitments".

The comments are in stark contrast to the unified bid buzzwords of unity, certainty and opportunity. "We have three governments that are very supportive and working together. Highly acclaimed for our hospitality and perfectly positioned in the heart of North America, Kansas City's modern amenities and accommodations strengthen the United Bid and provide a world-class experience for guests", said Cliff Illig, Sporting Kansas City owner.

That means, if the bid is chosen, Nashville will host at least one game at Nissan Stadium.

Chicago and Minneapolis have taken themselves out of the running for the soccer tournament.

"That's the unfortunate part of any of the communications that's gone out in the last 24 hours", he said.

Montopoli also said he did not believe all four Canadian cities would have made the final cut if Vancouver had stayed in the fold.

One of Edmonton's greatest accomplishments as a "Welcome The World" city dating back to the 1978 Commonwealth Games, 1983 Universiade, 1996 World Figure Skating Championships, 2001 IAAF World Championships in Athletics, World Triathlons, etc., has been the legacy involving facilities. In total, 22 cities from Canada, the USA and Mexico, including Edmonton, Montreal and Toronto remain part of the unified bid. The chosen USA cities are Arlington, Texas; Atlanta; Baltimore; Cincinnati; Denver; East Rutherford, New Jersey; Foxborough, Massachusetts; Houston; Inglewood or Pasadena, California; Kansas City, Missouri; Landover, Maryland; Miami; Nashville, Tennessee; Orlando, Florida; Philadelphia; Santa Clara, California; and Seattle. That number is now down to 23.

Charlotte in North Carolina, Glendale in Arizona, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City and Tampa also failed to make it to the next stage of United 2026's selection process. New or recently-renovated were famously left to rot in the weeks after the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.