Latest news with #VictorMontagliani
Cision Canada
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Cision Canada
FIFA World Cup™ Winner's Trophy joins Prime Minister Mark Carney in Ottawa for Canada Day Celebrations
OTTAWA, ON, July 1, 2025 /CNW/ - FIFA Vice President and Concacaf President Victor Montagliani, Chief Tournament Officer, FIFA Canada 2026, Peter Montopoli, and the Honourable Adam van Koeverden, Secretary of State for Sport, met with Prime Minister Mark Carney in Ottawa on Monday kicking off Canada Day celebrations. The Prime Minister welcomed the iconic FIFA World Cup™ Winner's Trophy, ahead of Canada co-hosting the FIFA World Cup™ in 2026, alongside Mexico and the United States.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Why are Saudi Arabia playing in the Concacaf Gold Cup?
The Concacaf Gold Cup is a biennial international tournament usually featuring teams from North and Central America and the Caribbean. But in the 2025 edition, Saudi Arabia are taking part. Saudi Arabia's participation in both 2025 and 2027 was confirmed in December 2024, alongside acknowledgment of a plan for collaboration off the pitch. Advertisement "We are very pleased that through our relationship with the Asian Football Confederation we have been able to collaborate with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation and their president Yasser Al-Misehal, both on and off the pitch," Concacaf president Victor Montagliani said in the official press release. "We look forward to welcoming one of Asia's top men's national teams to compete with the best in Concacaf." Earlier in 2024, Concacaf had announced an investment deal with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) - also owners of Newcastle United, LIV Golf, and a stake in the McLaren Formula 1 team - which will bring an influx of money over multiple years. Extensive PIF branding is visible in and around stadiums used for Gold Cup matches. Advertisement At the time the deal was announced, Montagliani said: "We are very pleased to announce this new strategic partnership which will support the confederation in developing all levels of football across our region." It was described as "sportswashing" by Human Rights Watch. Saudi Arabia sports minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal told BBC Sport in 2023 its unprecedented investment in sport was to help inspire a youthful population to take up physical activity and exercise, open the country up to the international community, boost tourism, create jobs and provide sports federations with growth potential. Why does the Gold Cup invite guest teams to play? The Gold Cup was expanded from 12 to 16 teams from the 2019 edition. Advertisement Though Concacaf has 41 member nations, it has invited non-member teams to participate in the past. The quality of many of the lower-ranked Concacaf national teams is not high, so guest teams have been used to make it more competitive. The practice was common in the 1990s and early 2000s, before being shelved. It was brought back when Qatar were invited to play in the 2021 and 2023 editions. In total, eight non-Concacaf teams have participated in the Gold Cup. They are: Brazil (1996, 1998, 2003) Colombia (2000, 2003, 2005) Ecuador (2002) Peru (2000) Qatar (2021, 2023) South Africa (2005) South Korea (2000, 2002) Saudi Arabia (2025, 2027) Of those teams, only Brazil have reached the final - losing 1-0 to Mexico in 1996. Qatar reached the semi-finals in 2021 after South Korea did likewise in 2002. Advertisement Only Mexico, the USA and Canada have won the the Gold Cup since its inaugural edition in 1991. Mexico have won on nine occasions, the USA seven, and Canada only once. This article is the latest from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team. Brazil have been the most successful of the guest teams invited to participate in the Gold Cup, but none have ever won the tournament [Getty Images] What is Ask Me Anything? Ask Me Anything is a service dedicated to answering your questions. We want to reward your time by telling you things you do not know and reminding you of things you do. The team explores everything you need to know and calls upon a network of contacts including our experts and pundits. We answer your questions from the heart of the BBC Sport newsroom, and go behind the scenes at some of the world's biggest sporting events. Advertisement Our coverage spans the BBC Sport website, app, social media and YouTube accounts, plus BBC TV and radio. More questions answered...
BBC News
26-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Why are Saudi Arabia playing in the Concacaf Gold Cup?
The Concacaf Gold Cup is a biennial international tournament usually featuring teams from North and Central America and the Caribbean. But in the 2025 edition, Saudi Arabia are taking Arabia's participation in both 2025 and 2027 was confirmed in December 2024, alongside acknowledgment of a plan for collaboration off the pitch."We are very pleased that through our relationship with the Asian Football Confederation we have been able to collaborate with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation and their president Yasser Al-Misehal, both on and off the pitch," Concacaf president Victor Montagliani said in the official press release."We look forward to welcoming one of Asia's top men's national teams to compete with the best in Concacaf."Earlier in 2024, Concacaf had announced an investment deal with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) - also owners of Newcastle United, LIV Golf, and a stake in the McLaren Formula 1 team - which will bring an influx of money over multiple PIF branding is visible in and around stadiums used for Gold Cup the time the deal was announced, Montagliani said: "We are very pleased to announce this new strategic partnership which will support the confederation in developing all levels of football across our region."It was described as "sportswashing" by Human Rights Arabia sports minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal told BBC Sport in 2023 its unprecedented investment in sport was to help inspire a youthful population to take up physical activity and exercise, open the country up to the international community, boost tourism, create jobs and provide sports federations with growth potential. Why does the Gold Cup invite guest teams to play? The Gold Cup was expanded from 12 to 16 teams from the 2019 Concacaf has 41 member nations, it has invited non-member teams to participate in the quality of many of the lower-ranked Concacaf national teams is not high, so guest teams have been used to make it more practice was common in the 1990s and early 2000s, before being shelved. It was brought back when Qatar were invited to play in the 2021 and 2023 total, eight non-Concacaf teams have participated in the Gold Cup. They are: Brazil (1996, 1998, 2003)Colombia (2000, 2003, 2005)Ecuador (2002)Peru (2000)Qatar (2021, 2023)South Africa (2005)South Korea (2000, 2002)Saudi Arabia (2025, 2027)Of those teams, only Brazil have reached the final - losing 1-0 to Mexico in reached the semi-finals in 2021 after South Korea did likewise in Mexico, the USA and Canada have won the the Gold Cup since its inaugural edition in 1991. Mexico have won on nine occasions, the USA seven, and Canada only article is the latest from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team. What is Ask Me Anything? Ask Me Anything is a service dedicated to answering your want to reward your time by telling you things you do not know and reminding you of things you team explores everything you need to know and calls upon a network of contacts including our experts and answer your questions from the heart of the BBC Sport newsroom, and go behind the scenes at some of the world's biggest sporting coverage spans the BBC Sport website, app, social media and YouTube accounts, plus BBC TV and radio. More questions answered... Who are Premier League clubs playing in pre-season?How do add-ons work in football transfers?Why can 23-year-olds play at Euro U21s?Why is Alexander-Arnold not allowed to wear number 66 for Real Madrid?When are Premier League TV picks announced?
The Province
12-06-2025
- Sport
- The Province
How much will the World Cup cost Vancouver? We still don't know, one year out
City and provincial officials promise the numbers are coming, but you'll just have to wait Dignitaries including FIFA vice-president Victor Montagliani, far left, and Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim, far right, unveil a clock at Terry Fox Plaza in front of BC Place stadium in Vancouver that is counting down to the kickoff of the 2026 World Cup in the city. Photo by Jason Payne / PNG Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. The countdown is on for both the World Cup, and the release of the final financial projections of just how much it will cost. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Wednesday afternoon at Terry Fox Plaza outside of B.C. Place, Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim, FIFA vice-president Victor Montagliani and a host of other dignitaries took part in the unveiling of a giant digital clock that is ticking down to the start of the 2026 World Cup. An energetic, upbeat event where local youth teams playing a seven-a-side game — while being coached by Canada soccer veterans Tosaint Ricketts and Christine Sinclair — set what the organizers hoped was an energetic and positive tone. But the clock is also ticking on the region's patience to find out just how much taxpayers will be paying to host the massive sporting event, one that is on par with the Olympic Games in terms of global reach and prestige. Sim called it the 'equivalent of 30 to 40 Super Bowls.' Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The cost of the event has doubled from the initial numbers; the last report had the price tag for the province between $483 million and $581 million, with the City of Vancouver expected to pay at least $230 million. 'We'll have a full costing of where we're at in terms of cost, in terms of revenue, closer to the end of June, and we'll share it publicly at that point. We're just finishing up a couple of the accounting things,' said Spencer Chandra Herbert, B.C.'s minister of tourism, arts, culture and sport. Local youth teams playing a seven-a-side game at the ceremony held at Terry Fox Plaza at B.C. Place on Wednesday. Photo by Jason Payne / PNG Toronto has been more forthcoming with their numbers, saying it will fall $40M short in its already ballooning $380M budget for their portion of the event. Vancouver has yet to address the updated financials publicly. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Look, we're bound by confidentiality agreements,' said Sim. 'That's just part of the process. What I can tell you is, we've had great lenses on it. This is actually a great event where the city, the residents of the City of Vancouver and the region and the province and the country will benefit. 'Let's put this in perspective. There are cities around the planet that would absolutely love this opportunity. We have this opportunity in the City of Vancouver. We're making sure it's held from a fiscally responsible perspective. And we're super excited to have this opportunity.' Vancouver will host seven games of the 2026 World Cup at B.C. Place, with Toronto getting six. Canada will play two games in Vancouver, and should Les Rouges advance out of their round robin group, would potentially play in the two knockout round games at B.C. Place. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Vancouver mayor Ken Sim (right) at the countdown clock Photo by Jason Payne / PNG The event has some massive logistical challenges to overcome. With more than 350,000 fans projected to come — maybe more, should the travel issues facing soccer fans who might decline to risk travel to the U.S. continue — there is a distinct lack of rooming space for them. The bridges into the downtown core are already a bottleneck, and with heightened security protocols in place, it will be an immense task to handle efficiently. 'We're working with our hotel partners across the province. We think there's opportunity for people to stay further afield. We know Hullo and the B.C. Ferries. We're looking at them as an opportunity for overflow, even all the way to Nanaimo, (and) of course, out in the (Fraser) Valley,' said Chandra Herbert, adding he expects locals to also rent out their homes as a way to make some extra money. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'It's a good problem to have a whole bunch of people want to come and be with us in B.C., and we can't wait to welcome them.' 'We'll definitely work with local businesses as part of the planning process to make sure that we host a pretty successful game. We've done it in the past with the Olympics, and we'll do it again with FIFA World Cup 2026,' he added, referring to what will be a huge swath of road closures. The crowd watches the ceremony at Terry Fox Plaza at B.C. Place on Wednesday Photo by Jason Payne / PNG Sim addressed the security issue, which has come to the forefront in the wake of the Lapu Lapu Day festival tragedy. 'I have all the confidence in the world in the VPD and our security infrastructure. We've been working on it for quite a while,' he said, adding the process began in the bid process. 'I was actually in Boston (in April), touring with Boston PD and their infrastructure. Local, state and federal agencies, to see how they handle the Boston Marathon. So these are things that we've been working on. If anything, we've augmented our planning, and we are going to carry off a … very safe FIFA World Cup.' Read More
CTV News
10-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Moving Whitecaps from Vancouver would be ‘a crime': FIFA vice president
Workers clear the turf at B.C. Place during a FIFA World Cup 2026 update in Vancouver, Tuesday, April 30, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns A vice president of soccer's global governing body says moving the Vancouver Whitecaps would be 'a crime' and negatively impact the city's reputation after it hosts games at next year's World Cup. FIFA vice president Victor Montagliani spoke at a Vancouver Board of Trade event Tuesday, telling the crowd that relocating the Major League Soccer club would suggest to the world that the city simply wanted to host a party and isn't actually serious about the sport. 'You don't want to come out of the World Cup and your professional football club is playing in Sacramento,' said Montagliani, who is also the president of CONCACAF, soccer's governing body in North and Central America and the Caribbean. 'That would be a bruise on the city.' The Whitecaps announced in December that the current ownership group — Greg Kerfoot, Steve Luczo, Jeff Mallett and former NBA star Steve Nash — had put the team up for sale. Speculation has since been rife that an out-of-town buyer will purchase the club and move it out of Vancouver. In April, the Whitecaps revealed that they are in talks with the City of Vancouver about building a new, soccer-specific stadium in the city. Club chief executive officer Axel Schuster said at the time that those plans are intrinsically tied to the sale of the team. 'We are only working on one plan, one goal, and this is to keep the club in Vancouver and to find a very good setup for the future for this club in Vancouver,' he said. 'And part of all of this is to look in every possible option that might be needed to do this successfully.' Keeping the Whitecaps in Vancouver is key to continuing the city's love and support for soccer, Montagliani said on Tuesday. 'It is going to be a party — trust me. But it can't just be about a party,' he said. 'It's got to be about the youth. It's got to be about the game itself. And it's got to be about the continuation of the game.' He noted that Canada had to create its own league, the Canadian Premier League, in order to be eligible to bid for the 2026 World Cup. Losing one of the country's biggest teams would be a step backward, he said. 'To lose an MLS club on the back of the World Cup would be a capital crime, in my opinion,' he said. Montagliani is in his hometown of Vancouver to mark the one-year countdown to the tournament's kick off on June 11, 2026, when the first games will be played in Mexico City and Guadalajara. The final is set for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Vancouver and Toronto are among 16 host cities across Canada, the United States and Mexico. Vancouver will host seven matches across the tournament, starting on June 13, 2026, including five in the opening round, one in the round of 32 and one in the round of 16. Organizers in B.C. said in April 2024 that it will cost between $483 million and $581 million for Vancouver to host the tournament. That number includes costs to the city, the province and upgrades to B.C. Place. Renovations are currently underway at the 54,500-seat stadium, including new and upgraded suites, more and larger elevators, gender-neutral bathrooms, improved Wi-Fi and a new central video board. A natural grass pitch will also be installed. The B.C. government has said it expects the World Cup will generate enough revenue to result in a net cost of between $100 million and $145 million. Vancouver and Canada as a whole have a unique chance to create something special with the World Cup, Montagliani said. 'For me, it's an opportunity of a lifetime for Canada,' he said. 'Maybe this has done us a favour, in terms of what's going on (with U.S.-Canada relations), in terms of our Canadiana. I really think it's an opportunity for us to take a global game and make it ours.' This report by Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press, was first published June 10, 2025.
