$18M Paid to 3 First Nations Ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup

As preparations ramp up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, questions are emerging over payments made to the three host First Nations in British Columbia. The Musqueam Indian Band, Squamish Nation, and Tsleil-Waututh Nation have collectively received $18 million, with each community receiving $6 million.

Details on how the funds are to be spent remain limited, sparking calls for transparency from both the public and political figures.

Musqueam Chief Wayne Sparrow confirmed that the funding comes with clear guidelines and that his community will be consulted on its use, though he did not provide further specifics.

Wilson Williams, Chairperson of the Squamish Nation, emphasized that the funding is part of a partnership agreement signed in June with the provincial government to host the FIFA World Cup on their traditional territories. He said the funding will go toward all aspects of bringing the games to life in their territory, including support staff, resources for the event, and recreational legacy projects that benefit both the community and visitors.

B.C.’s Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Anne Kang, said she could not provide specific spending details without the First Nations present but highlighted the communities’ focus on building capacity and creating long-term legacies for future generations.

Opposition critics have urged the government to clearly outline how the $18 million will be used. BC Conservative finance critic Peter Milobar stressed that taxpayers deserve clarity on what the money is achieving. He said the public deserves full transparency and an understanding of what the deliverables are for any funds distributed—not just to Indigenous communities, but to all partners involved in the FIFA World Cup experience.

The cost of hosting seven FIFA World Cup matches in Vancouver is projected between $532 million and $624 million, with the provincial contribution expected to range from $85 million to $145 million. The province anticipates offsetting these costs through revenues estimated between $448 million and $478 million, higher than 2024 projections. Officials say the increase in costs largely reflects higher spending on safety, security, and transportation.

Milobar emphasized that clear reporting is needed to show what each community is expected to deliver for their portion of the funding. “People just need to know what is expected for the $6 million each community is receiving,” he said.

With less than a year until the tournament, both the provincial government and First Nations are working to ensure that the FIFA World Cup leaves a lasting legacy in Vancouver and on the traditional territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations.