2026 Soccer World Cup | Behind the scenes of Montreal’s bid

It is a two-page letter, intended for François Legault, dated July 8, 2020. The author? Valerie Plante. The subject ? Montreal’s bid to host the 2026 Soccer World Cup matches. And why was the mayor taking up the pen?

To defend the project – with passion.

“The event, which will act as an unparalleled attraction for the promotion of Montreal and Quebec internationally, will help revive our tourism industry,” she wrote. “I am certain that our candidacy will be retained, due to the solidity of its business plan and its many assets. »

This hitherto unpublished letter is one of a series of documents recently obtained by The Pressthanks to the Access to Information Act. What did we also receive? François Legault’s answer. A letter from the Minister of Tourism, Caroline Proulx. Several reports written by government experts.

Taken together, these documents allow us to better understand the backstage games between Montreal, Quebec, Ottawa and FIFA for this candidacy born in enthusiasm, defended by the mayor, then killed by Quebec, when the costs went from 150 million to 308 million… before taking into account the costs of renovating the Olympic Stadium.

Let’s go back five years. In 2018, the entire political class was enthusiastic about the project. With reason. The projections of the organizing committee for North America’s bid for the 2026 World Cup were spectacular. For the city of Montreal alone, it was a question of 922 new jobs, as well as economic spinoffs of 210 million.

Canadians?

No. US.

On January 10, 2018, Valérie Plante wrote to Quebec Prime Minister at the time, Philippe Couillard. She estimates the cost of the project at 150 million. “This request is based on the most expensive scenario, where Montreal would host six games,” reads an internal report from the Quebec government.

The preliminary plan is simple. The expenses would be divided into three equal parts between Montreal, Quebec and Ottawa. So 50 million per government.

Sounds like a good deal. Two months later, the government of Philippe Couillard embarks. He undertakes to assume one-third of the costs, while specifying that “we could possibly agree on our respective commitments when the nature of the needs and the cost forecasts are specified according to FIFA’s requirements”.

In the summer of 2018, the presentation of the 2026 World Cup in North America is confirmed. In its final evaluation, the International Football Federation is enthusiastic about Montreal. She cites it among the largest cities in the North American bid, alongside New York, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Toronto, Houston and Philadelphia. Montréal also stands out in several categories.

• The quality of its transport: 4.4/5 (average of 3.6)
• The quality of the stadium: 4.2/5 (average of 4.1)
• The quality of accommodation: 3.9/5 (average of 3.9)

Montreal receives the highest score (4.1) for transportation and accommodation offered for FIFA members. The only category in which the metropolis is below average is that of the facilities intended for the festivities for the fans. Nothing to worry about. In the same document, FIFA praises the Quartier des Spectacles, described as effervescent (buzzing).

However, there is a red flag. The report mentions necessary renovations for two stadiums. Those of Montreal and Cincinnati. “Investments of 335.5 million US for the two stadiums” will be required, specifies FIFA.

It was not unexpected. In January, the mayor had asked Philippe Couillard “for the government’s commitment to examine a removable solution for the roof of the Olympic Stadium”. A removable solution? Yes yes.

“The option of dismantling one or more sections of the roof to host events like FIFA, requiring an open-air stadium, will be analyzed by the Olympic Installations Board,” replied the Minister of Municipal Affairs. In all cases, the costs related to the roof, the upgrading of the stadium and the installation of a natural grass surface were “excluded” from the contribution of 50 million requested from Quebec, specify the government documents.

In the fall, the government changes. The case continues to progress. In October 2019, RIO launched a call for qualification for the design and construction of the new roof. On March 12, 2020, a delegation from Montreal is invited to Toronto to meet with FIFA and Canada Soccer, to learn about new criteria that will modify the costing. But at this precise moment, the elected officials have no mind for soccer.

The same day, François Legault announces the first containment measures to combat COVID-19. The pandemic will change plans.

During the first weeks of confinement, officials in Montreal and Quebec go back to their Excel files, to revise the business plan according to FIFA requirements.

Bad news: costs have skyrocketed.

And not just a little.

On July 8, 2020, Valérie Plante presented François Legault with a new cost analysis, carried out by city officials. The bill goes from 150 million to 308 million. For how many parts? It’s not stated in the letter, but a source who has been actively working on the file confirmed to me that it was for a maximum of three parties.

So twice as much – for half the games.

In her letter, Valérie Plante proposes a new sharing of expenses. A first block of 195 million would be divided equally between Montreal, Quebec and Ottawa. The rest ? ” [Les] other expenses, which must be estimated by the Quebec and Canadian governments, will be assumed according to their competences”, specifies the mayor. Quebec’s share suddenly increases to 103.4 million. Wait. That’s the amount BEFORE taking into account “in particular the roof, the improvement of the customer experience at the Olympic Stadium, as well as [des] costs associated with the portion of security that would be assumed by the Sûreté du Québec”, indicates a government document.

François Legault responds to Valérie Plante on August 6, 2020.

“Know that I am aware of all the importance that being named host city of the World Cup could have for Montreal, and that I am following this file with all the necessary attention,” he wrote, without taking a position.

Quebec then proceeds to its own analyses. A total of 15 ministries are involved. It is the Minister of Tourism, Caroline Proulx, who is following up with Valérie Plante. In a letter erroneously dated January 15, 2020, she wrote: “Although it was recognized that the coming of this major event would make the destination shine on the international scene, the advent of COVID-19 and its consequences multi-sectoral nature make the situation exceptionally delicate and exert strong pressure on public finances. »

“In order to regain a balanced budget and reduce the significant structural deficit, it is our duty to give priority to supporting the companies most affected by the crisis, and to give precedence to the events that constitute the event fabric of the metropolis and Quebec. . »

Remember that FIFA demanded an “event vacuum” around the World Cup, in the middle of the festival season.

The minister adds that Quebec fears another explosion of “many unknown costs associated with the application file by the filing of final specifications in 2023”. Behind the scenes, decision-makers in Quebec are convinced that the government will have to sign a blank check to FIFA. Faced with this observation, Caroline Proulx deals the fatal blow. “Unfortunately, I see myself obliged to inform you that the Government of Quebec cannot commit to supporting Montreal’s candidacy”.

A few weeks later, Montreal withdrew its marbles in turn.

The project was abandoned.

I love soccer. I would have liked Montreal to host games. Even a Honduras-Latvia poster would have satisfied me. But I also appreciate that the government invests my taxes responsibly.

The two objectives would have been reconcilable had it not been for FIFA’s endless gluttony. Unfortunately, at 100 million per game, this project was no longer an investment.

Not even a luxury.

It had become indecent.

With the collaboration of William Leclerc, The Press