Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said on Wednesday that the time has come for "a little spring cleaning" when it comes to Toronto's strategy on the FIFA World Cup games the city will host in 2026, especially regarding financial accountability.

Chow said, "Although I did not sign this agreement, it is my responsibility as mayor to do my best to make these games successful."

Chow confirmed that she is working on reconciling the committee's structure and mandate to ensure the "financial sustainability" of the games for the city and that the event "builds connections."

Toronto is scheduled to host six matches during the 2026 World Cup, and the hosting agreement, signed under the previous administration, has been criticized for its secrecy and for burdening the city with costs that could escalate.

Toronto has already committed to covering about $90 million of the estimated $300 million price on its own.

Chow said she hopes the city can recoup some of this money through sponsorships and donations.

In a message to the council on Wednesday, the mayor said the current council's mission is to ensure the success of the games.

Chow noted in the message, "As we prepare to host this major event, we must also reinforce our determination to make it successful—not only financially, but also through the strong and lasting bonds it builds across communities, and how we reflect our shared values as we host the world."

"Open, transparent, and accountable"

The mayor told reporters that soccer is a team sport, and the city will take a "team" approach to the matches.

To that end, she said she is working to expand the Executive Steering Committee (ESC) for the games, which was created in 2020 and which she will chair, with Deputy Mayor Mike Colle as her alternate. The committee will include Deputy Mayors Jennifer McKelvie and Ausma Malik, council members Shelly Carroll and Michael Thompson, as well as regional and federal representatives, Indigenous representatives, and key partners.

Chow appointed former city council member and budget chair David Soknacki as the "mayor’s envoy to FIFA," working with the committee to help keep the games "open, transparent, and accountable to the people of Toronto."

The mayor said a "Champions Table" will be created within the committee to raise funds through donations to offset event costs. Meanwhile, Chow will chair the "FWC26 Forever" group with a mandate to help generate excitement for the games, build connections with communities across the city to ensure a sense of belonging and civic pride, and maximize the economic benefit the city sees from hosting the games.

On the financial side, Chow is setting up a FWC26 subcommittee under her executive committee. Chaired by Shelly Carroll, the budget chief, the subcommittee will review spending plans and expenses around the games "to ensure they meet the standards of Toronto residents" and "remain within the approved event budget."

Speaking to reporters alongside Chow, Carroll said residents want to be able to enjoy the few weeks of the games "with reckless abandon" without worrying about the cost it will impose on them as taxpayers.

Carroll added, "On the financial side, we really want to bring this out into the light, and now we have two years ahead of us." "It is really important to be transparent, and to achieve success in the bottom line. And with my economic development hat on, what that means is the economic impact on every business, especially tourism in the city, but it also means success for taxpayers."

The city's financial planning department also appointed a games analyst to ensure FWC26 financial resources "are reported separately from other city budgets." Chow said this step will ensure the games budget remains transparent for council and the public.