Edmonton was famously known as the City of Champions for what the Oilers did in the 1980s. The Alberta could become a sanctuary city for FIFA if soccer’s governing body is forced to relocate 2026 World Cup matches originally scheduled to be played in Mexico.

While Canadians and Americans spent Sunday morning glued to their televisions watching the Olympic gold medal game, south of the American border, on Mexico’s southern coast, a wave of violence and unrest has brought one of the most popular Mexican travel destinations to a terrifying standstill.

The leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel — also known as CJNG — was killed in a Mexican military operation and in response, masked gunmen have burned vehicles and blocked highways across Jalisco state, home to popular travel destination Puerto Vallarta on Riviera Nayarit. Canadian airlines have suspended flights, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded on Mexico’s Pacific coast.

Sunday evening, viral claims online say that FIFA is seriously considering relocating at least some of the 13 matches scheduled to be played in Mexico. Guadelajara, the capital of Jalisco state and located just 300 kilometres east of Puerto Vallarta, is scheduled to host four group stage matches including Mexico vs. South Korea, Colombia vs. the playoff winner and a marquee clash between Uruguay and Spain. The Koreans have booked Chivas Verde Valle, Chivas Guadalajara’s training facility as their base camp for the tournament.

FIFA would have to move swiftly to relocate matches. While there are several well suited American venues, with Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium being arguably the best option of all, given the political climate and safety concerns in the United States, FIFA could look north of the border to add more games in Toronto and Vancouver, or re-consider Edmonton.

Commonwealth Stadium was the centrepiece of Edmonton’s bid to be one of Canada’s host cities when FIFA decided on 16 host venues across the three co-hosts. In the end, FIFA chose just two Canadian hosts while Mexico were awarded three, with Mexico City and Monterrey making up El Tri’s trio. Mexico City’s famed Estadio Azteca is scheduled to host the opening match of the tournament on June 11, Mexico vs. South Africa.

Vancouver’s BC Place is set to host seven 2026 World Cup matches, including one round of 32 and one round of 16 tie. Toronto’s BMO Field will fittingly host six games, with one knockout round of 32 clash to close out Toronto’s World Cup party.

Related Read: Toronto’s Rd of 32 match amongst Top 5 most-coveted 2026 World Cup tickets

There will be plenty of lobbying to keep every one of the scheduled matches in Mexico, and plenty of litigation if FIFA do relocate fixtures. But soccer’s governing body has been under fire for crossing political lines and a perceived lack of neutrality in regards to President Donald Trump’s Administration. The PR hit for keeping matches in Mexico with increased safety and security risks could be too much for FIFA to handle, and Canada could stand to benefit.

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