Toronto is months away from hosting the FIFA World Cup. Ontario still hasn't signed $97M funding deal

The soccer world may be coming to Toronto this summer, but right now the city is just waiting for the province.

Only a few months before the first of six FIFA World Cup matches kicks off at BMO Field — soon to be Toronto Stadium — the city is still waiting to confirm $97 million in tournament funding the Ontario government has committed.

The city’s FIFA secretariat presented a report with updates on funding and revenue to the city’s World Cup subcommittee on Wednesday, saying the province’s funding agreement is still in negotiations.

The total budget for the six matches is $380 million, with the city putting in nearly $180 million and the federal government committing about $104 million. The rest is supposed to come from the province. 

Speaking to reporters outside the meeting, Coun. Paul Ainslie had a direct message for the Ontario government.

“We’d really like you to sign your cheques,” he said. “Whoever is listening from the provincial government, this is not just for the city of Toronto. The provincial and federal government are going to see a lot of tax dollars.”

WATCH | Toronto's World Cup match schedule:

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The FIFA World Cup match schedule has been released. Toronto will host six games at BMO field, which will soon be known as Toronto Stadium for the duration of the World Cup. CBC's Mercedes Gaztambide caught up with some excited fans.

FIFA estimates Toronto will have a positive economic output of $1.3 billion.

Coun. Amber Morley told reporters Wednesday that she expects the Ontario government to meet its obligations and be a strong partner in hosting the tournament, echoing Ainslie that taxes collected from visitor purchases should be an incentive.

“They’re not staying here in the city of Toronto despite the significant cost associated to the city,” she said.

WATCH | Mayor Chow has said Toronto needs Ontario's help to host World Cup :

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Toronto is set to host 2026 FIFA World Cup matches in just over a year but Mayor Olivia Chow says the city is facing a nearly $40 million shortfall in funding. CBC’s Lane Harrison breaks down the funding issues between the city of Toronto and the province.

The city had anticipated that the province’s contribution would be in cash. However, part of it is coming in the form of services, like policing, transportation, and health care.

Ainslie said the city and province have been going back and forth about the valuation of those services.

CBC Toronto requested comment from Premier Doug Ford’s office Monday. On Monday evening, a spokesperson for the Ontario government said the province has been clear from the start that its $97 million commitment will include provincial services.

"We continue to negotiate with the city of Toronto to ensure that all necessary provincial services are clearly identified and accurately costed,” Wesley Austin said in an email.

The report says if the province's cash component is lower than $97 million, the city will explore options for replacement funding or reducing costs.

Mayor Olivia Chow has previously said the city cannot afford to spend any more on the World Cup. A spokesperson for Chow confirmed discussions with the province are ongoing.