Canada's World Cup host cities rally for final watch parties as tournament rolls to New Jersey finale
Spain and Argentina compete for the 2026 FIFA World Cup title Sunday as Canada closes out a historic co-hosting run that cost $685M to $729M in B.C. alone.
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The 2026 FIFA World Cup reaches its grand conclusion Sunday, July 19, with Spain and Argentina competing for the title as Canada closes the final chapter of its historic co-hosting role.
Canada hosted 13 World Cup matches across B.C. Place and Toronto, marking one of those epochal sporting moments that define a nation. The financial accounting will span years, with estimates placing the cost at $685 million to $729 million in B.C. alone and more than $1 billion across Canada. Yet like the 1976 Montreal Olympics before it, the tournament's legacy may prove more memorable than its price tag.
Final watch parties are being held Sunday across Canada, including in Victoria at Market Square, in Langford at Station Avenue, and five other Island locations. Online betting site Betano labelled Victoria as Canada's most passionate soccer city, with 82.2 percent of residents viewing soccer very positively or positively—compared to Vancouver at 55.8 percent and Calgary at 58.4 percent.
For soccer enthusiasts nationwide, the key question now is momentum. Former Canadian national team player Jamie Lowery predicted that youth soccer registrations will rise across the country following Canada's World Cup performance, which saw the team earn its first wins and first points in tournament history, reaching the Round of 16. University of Victoria coach Larry Stefanek agreed, pointing to the 2015 women's World Cup as proof: that tournament spurred a measurable spike in girls' player registrations.
Lowery cautioned, however, that sustained growth depends on the Canadian Premier League's ability to develop a clear pro career path for young male players. The CPL, formed in 2019 in anticipation of the 2026 World Cup requirement, must succeed where the Canadian Soccer League (1987–1992) ultimately failed.
By the numbers
How many World Cup matches did Canada host?
Canada hosted 13 World Cup matches across B.C. Place and Toronto.
What was the estimated cost of hosting the World Cup in B.C.?
The cost in B.C. alone was estimated at $685 million to $729 million, with more than $1 billion across Canada.
Which Canadian city rated highest for soccer enthusiasm?
Victoria had the highest positive sentiment toward soccer at 82.2 percent of residents viewing it very positively or positively, according to online betting site Betano, compared to Vancouver at 55.8 percent and Calgary at 58.4 percent.
