Goal! B.C. businesses cheer addition of more games to 2026 World Cup

FIFA confirmed Tuesday that the tournament will see the number of participating countries expanded from 32 to 48.

Soccer fans — and Vancouver businesses — are celebrating news that FIFA has approved an expanded format for the 2026 Men’s World Cup.

FIFA confirmed Tuesday that the tournament will see the number of participating countries expanded from 32 to 48. There will be an additional 24 matches, for a total of 104 games played, and the event will last 39 days.

What wasn’t clear Tuesday was whether the expanded format would mean additional games in Canada or Vancouver.

The city is guaranteed to host at least five games, and the province said Tuesday it was still waiting for more information on what the changes mean.

But while it’s uncertain if B.C. Place will get to host a half-dozen or more games, local businesses were already celebrating the expanded tournament.

Doug Meaker, general manager at Vancouver’s Butcher and Bullock pub, said his business was packed even at odd hours in the middle of the night as it aired every game from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

He said the addition of more games will only mean a bigger opportunity for bars and restaurants to capitalize on the next tournament.

“Just based on the turnouts we had just recently, it’s only going to double. And being in Canada as well, we’re going to see such a giant influx of tourism,” Meaker said.