A Port Alberni group is hoping to host a FIFA World Cup soccer team when the global tournament comes to Vancouver in 2026.
The organizing committee for FIFA 2026 Activities in Alberni Valley has submitted a bid to become a host city for pre-tournament training. This milestone follows months of collaboration between local governments, First Nations, community organizations and the B.C. Soccer Association.
"This is more than just soccer, it's about putting Alberni Valley on the global map," said Abu Jahangir, secretary and co-lead of the organizing committee.
Jahangir has been working for months to form the organizing committee and streamline Port Alberni's bid. He had hoped to host a World Cup friendly match, but the logistics and infrastructure needs were daunting. Jahangir and the committee want to set up a pre-training facility for an international team to train, acclimatize and engage in the culture of the area prior to the competition.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Alberni Valley," said Terry Deakin, chair and co-lead of the organizing committee. "With the right partnerships, infrastructure upgrades and support from B.C. Soccer and Canada Soccer we can bring world-class soccer to our doorstep and create lasting benefits for the region."
Gabriel Assis, CEO for B.C. Soccer, said during a visit to Port Alberni in March that the city has a good chance at being a host city. "It's an exciting time for soccer in B.C. and I complimented the very well-intended, well organized group (that is) trying to put together what is, for me, an ambitious plan of hosting a federation team in Port Alberni.
"There's definitely potential with the community being supportive, with the infrastructure in place." Bob Dailey Stadium has a natural grass soccer pitch, which is a FIFA World Cup requirement.
Assis said access to the city is "remote enough" that it doesn't have the same security requirements as a major urban centre.
The provincial soccer association confirmed its intent to share the Alberni Valley's bid with international football (soccer) federations and support Alberni's initiative through official channels, Jahangir said.
If their bid is accepted, the Alberni Valley committee anticipates a team could arrive sometime in late May or early June 2026 and would be here for almost a month. The World Cup draw happens in January 2026, at which time teams will learn where their base camps are located.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19. Vancouver will host seven games, including some featuring Canada's national team.
Port Alberni is one of two cities from Vancouver Island bidding to host a FIFA team when the World Cup comes to Vancouver in 2026. Langford, outside of Victoria, is in the final stages of putting its bid together.
"Right now, we're at the final stages of being accepted–it's just a matter of financing," said Mark deFrias, founder of deFrias Management Group and lead consultant on Langford's bid.
He said FIFA scouts have already toured Starlight Stadium in Langford as well as nearby hotels. Starlight Stadium has artificial turf, and Langford would have to remove the turf and replace it with grass—a World Cup requirement—then replace with new artificial turf once the World Cup is over. Cost estimates are around $1.5 million to make the pitch switch.
— With files from Tony Trozzo, Black Press Media
