FILE - In this July 8, 2014 file photo, a view of the pitch during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between Brazil and Germany at the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Four years after the World Cup, Brazil’s massive corruption probes have cleared only two of the 12 stadiums. Executives of meatpacking company JBS said the reconstruction work at the 62,000-seat venue in Belo Horizonte was used to pay bribes of about $8 million to political campaigns of state Gov. Fernando Pimentel, who has had a shaky time in office due to corruption allegations that he denies. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana, File)
Republished June 13, 2018 - 9:34 AM
Original Publication Date June 13, 2018 - 8:36 AM
TORONTO - The mayor of one of the Canadian cities expected to co-host the 2026 World Cup says the opportunity to take part in the event represents a good investment.
Toronto Mayor John Tory says Canada had little chance of hosting the international soccer tournament on its own, but will reap the benefits now that a joint bid with the United States and Mexico has been accepted by the sport's regulatory body.
Tory says the investment the city will make is "relatively modest for an event of this scale."
He says being involved in the World Cup bid is part of Toronto's strategy of thinking big, and he says the event will give the city and country a chance to showcase its enthusiasm for the sport.
Tory says $30 million or more will be spent on the event, not including security costs, but noted that the cost will be shared between governments.
Toronto, Edmonton and Montreal are among the 23 candidate host cities in the North American bid, with FIFA expected to select up to 16 cities for the event.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2018