Update:
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/opin...world-cup.html"It's not only a possibility; it's something we intend to do," Montagliani said. "We have verbally told FIFA that when the bid process begins for the next available World Cup, which would be the 2026 World Cup, that the CSA will be one of the countries putting in a formal proposal.
Well with the Euro on right now and Soccer back in the news, its time to ask the typical question.
Should Canada bid for the 2026 world cup?
Due to Russia and Qatar getting the 2018 and 2022 world cups the 2026 one will have to go to either North or South America (or outside chance of Africa) and with Argentina-Uruguay most likely wanting to go for the Centennial WC in 2030, it's almost a guarantee that 2026 goes to N. America and the US and Mexico have already hosted so Canada's odds would be pretty good.
Obviously if the interest was there (as it's rumored to be) Canada could pull it off, already having far superior infrastructure in place compared to other host nations (highways, airports, hotels etc) but would require some significant investment in Stadiums.
You need around 8-10 cities to host a world cup and 2 stadiums with around 80,000 seats. Obviously the cities would go something like this:
-Vancouver (BC place is pretty close to ready now)
-Calgary (McMahon would need to be seriously renovated or a new stadium built, which will probably happen before 2026 regardless)
-Edmonton (Renovate Commonwealth: Add a roof, improve concourse)
-Regina (New stadium in the works should be able to host)
-Winnipeg (New Stadium might be able to work if expanded)
-Toronto (Rogers Center would be ready to go, maybe just pretty it up and temporarily adjust seating, Only play group matches there and send the Blue Jays on a road trip)
-Ottawa (New CFL stadium)
-Montreal (Renovate the O, Lower the pitch and add seating?)
-Halifax (Potential new CFL stadium)
-2nd "flagship" stadium built in Toronto (Future NFL Tenant?).
All of these should meet the required 44,000 (40 + Media) capacity if expanded and the O or the new Toronto Stadium could meet the 80,000 capacity requirement for the finals.
The CFL would need to start their season later (Can't share during the WC) but might be willing if that means federal funds to improve their stadiums.
Canada has had great success with both the u-20 world cup and the womens world cup and is in Fifa's good books (unlike the US) and believe it or not the Canadian U-20 tourney was the highest attended one in history. Attendance for a World Cup would not be an issue as its the freaking WORLD CUP and it would be one of the biggest things to ever happen to this country.
Canada would need a domestic league as that is one of Fifa's requirements but an exception could be made if we gain another one or two MLS teams as Canada has a different sports dynamic then most of the world and shares most leagues with the US. This could also be done after the World Cup like it was in '94.
What do you guys think?
P.S. The Canadian national team is far better then both S. Africa and Qatar so their lack of success is a non-issue