Jun. 11, 2026 "More than a game: Why FIFA 2026 is an investment, not a cost, for Canada": Today I found this article by Anam Khan on BNN Bloomberg:
Can soccer one day rival hockey and basketball in Canada?
“It already does,” argues the secretary of state for sport, Adam van Koeverden.
With Canadian taxpayers already pouring $1 billion into
co-hosting FIFA World Cup 2026 alongside the U.S. and Mexico,
all eyes are on the country, he says, which needs to use this opportunity to shift its sporting landscape.
“Investment is extremely prudent,” says van Koeverden.
“I’d like to insist that these are finances invested in the future of our country.”
‘Canadians deserve to have nice things’
The World Cup’s billion-dollar price tag has sparked debate over whether the
tournament’s benefits justify the cost.
Critics have pointed to spending on security and temporary infrastructure, including BMO Field modifications that will eventually be removed once the tournament concludes.
Van Koeverden rejects the idea that those expenditures should be viewed simply as costs, and says they are upgrades that will continue benefiting Canadians long after the tournament ends.
“I would just like to emphasize that Canada and Canadians deserve to have nice things,
that includes world class infrastructure,
that includes world class events,”
says van Koeverden.
“Whether we’re talking about doubling the number of elevators for accessibility at BC Place
or increasing the number of suites available for viewing at BMO Field,
all of those investments will pay off in the long run.”
The $1 billion is divided into into three areas according to the Parliamentary Budget Officer.
This includes $958 million for city operations in Toronto and Vancouver,
$224 million for safety and security,
and $126.1 million to upgrade stadiums with natural grass and extra seats.
To further support the tournament, the government announced a $755 million investment during the Spring Economic Statement to support community sports over the next five years.
“When you get a kid playing who would otherwise
be on their phone
or be alone in their room,
or maybe not have access
or opportunity
to create friends,
be mentored,
learn some physical literacy,
develop new skills,
confidence,
that’s an investment in their future,
and that creates a stronger country into the future.”
More than a niche sport
Van Koeverden argues soccer has already earned a place alongside Canada’s traditional sports, thanks in part to the country’s multicultural population and growing professional leagues.
“Canada has a great women’s professional league in the Northern Super League. Toronto FC fans and soccer fans from coast to coast to coast have been enthusiastic.”
He says the World Cup is expected to accelerate that momentum, particularly in cities such as Toronto where international soccer tournaments have long drawn passionate crowds.
A global stage and economic opportunity
Van Koeverden says hosting the World Cup presents an opportunity to demonstrate Canada’s strengths beyond sport.
“This will attract more federal revenues,
certainly, but also foreign direct investment,”
says van Koeverden.
According to FIFA, the tournament is expected to generate as much as
$3.8 billion in economic output for Canada,
contribute roughly $2 billion to GDP,
create or sustain approximately 24,100 jobs and generate about $700 million in government revenue.
Much of that activity is expected to come through
tourism,
hospitality,
transportation,
construction,
security
and event operations
as visitors travel to host cities across the country.
Toronto and Vancouver have emerged as standout host cities ahead of the tournament, ranking first and third among the 16 host cities for volunteer recruitment, says van Koeverden.
Canada is the greatest sport hosting nation in the world.
— Adam van Koeverden
He compares the World Cup to other major international events Canada has hosted over the years,
including the Vancouver 2010 Olympics
and the Pan Am Games,
arguing that such events help elevate Canada’s profile abroad.
“It’s fantastic for our economy..
it emphasizes what we have to offer
and showcases Canada’s unique contributions to the world,”
says van Koeverden.
Building the next generation
The federal government’s recent $755 million package includes
$660 million over five years for National Sport Organizations to increase youth participation,
funding that had been frozen since 2005.
Another $50 million is earmarked for attracting and hosting major sporting events,
while $45 million will support high-performance athletes.
Annual federal sport funding will also increase by $118 million on an ongoing basis.
Van Koeverden says those investments are designed to create opportunities for more young Canadians to participate in sports,
regardless of where they live
or what sport they choose.
The federal government recently partnered with Canada Soccer to provide 5,000 Canadian families with free access to friendly matches.
“I met with a lot of those families on the side of the pitch or up in the stands,” he says.
“Those kids were so happy and so excited.
These are fundamental core memories that these families will carry with them forever.”
My opinion: My education is an investment and not a cost.
You are probably going to see what you buy as:
Is this an investment or a cost?
Jun. 22, 2026 "World Cup office watch parties can be easy win for boosting employee morale: expert": Today I found this article on BNN Bloomberg:
TORONTO — For bosses looking for an easy win to boost employee morale, they can look no further than the FIFA World Cup.
With the soccer tournament underway, some Canadian workplaces are seizing on the opportunity to
host watch parties in the office,
which one expert says can help foster connection and collaboration.
Mike Shekhtman, a senior regional director for recruiting company Robert Half,
said global events like the World Cup or Olympics bring energy to the workplace,
especially given matches are being hosted in Toronto and Vancouver.
“It really gives employers the opportunity to
galvanize people with that shared experience
and you’re seeing that where smart employers are not trying to compete with it.
They’re harnessing that energy
and leaning into it,
and it’s a great way to build that connection,”
Shekhtman said.
He said the tournament is boosting morale,
which is something employers are increasingly looking to do in general as part of efforts to help
prevent burnout
and foster a healthy workplace culture.
Shekhtman added that watching matches as a group can help bring people together from different departments.
The tournament kicked off in mid-June and will run through mid-July, with Canada hosting games alongside Mexico and the U.S. A total of 13 matches are in Toronto and Vancouver.
Waasil Khadaroo, a senior financial analyst at Univeris and a “really big England fan,” said he was looking forward to watching the second half of that country’s game with Croatia at work this past Wednesday before catching the train home.
Khadaroo was speaking from an office lobby in downtown Toronto, where he was waiting to watch part of the match between Portugal and Congo during his lunch break.
He said there has been
a “buzz” around his office with
co-workers checking scores
and some games being shown in the lunchroom,
adding that Canada’s role in co-hosting the tournament is adding to the enthusiasm.
Khadaroo said being able to follow the tournament at work has helped employee morale.
“It definitely is a plus, and you see it in a lot of the downtown offices, all the big offices or the big buildings have some sort of screen or a viewing of some sort,” he said.
Khadaroo acknowledged it is also important to ensure that cheering on the games doesn’t interfere with productivity, as “we’re still working at the end of the day.”
When he goes home to put the evening games on, he said he is “fully locked in.”
“But when you’re at work, I think it’s important to just try to
make sure you get your stuff done,
and just enjoy it with your co-workers
and don’t get too carried away,”
he said.
For company leaders, Shekhtman said it is best to
set clear expectations
around flexibility
while also giving employees
“permission to enjoy the moment.”
“When leaders model that balance,
employees ultimately follow.
It’s really crucial that you,
as an employer or as a leader,
you set that tone
and lead by example,”
he said, though he added that it’s important that the celebrations aren’t too disruptive to the workday.
Jodi Clare, senior director of partnerships and business development at Cadillac Fairview, said the commercial real estate firm is holding viewing parties at some of the buildings it owns.
In Toronto’s financial district, she said the company is hosting a viewing lounge at the TD Centre, open Monday to Friday.
In Vancouver, the company is hosting select games with snacks and beverages at a private rooftop in an office tower connected to CF Pacific Centre so “building occupants can come together and cheer on their teams.”
“This is another opportunity for us to build these inclusive opportunities to pull people out of the office and come down.
Generally, we’ve seen a lot of engagement in our past viewing experiences,
and we know there’s a lot of excitement for people;
they’ve come out to see the games so far,”
she said.
“We know that they look for this sense of community when they come to work every day.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 22, 2026.
Daniel Johnson, The Canadian Press
My opinion: My little bother P was interested in FIFA. I'm not that interested in it.
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