Canada Soccer is projecting a $6.55 million surplus in 2026, marking a turnaround after years of deficits as it prepares to co-host the FIFA World Cup.
The governing body said in a financial update released Wednesday that its 2025 deficit was $1.44 million, down from $3.99 million in 2024 and nearly $1 million below its budgeted deficit.
“Many people have been working very hard for many years trying to build the sport,” said Canada Soccer chief executive officer Kevin Blue.
“And I think what you’re seeing now is, hopefully, a continued positive trend in the sport broadly, and also Canada Soccer being a big driver and leader of that positive energy. And I think that’s reflected in some of the progress that we’ve made in the last little while, as noted in the update.”
The improved outlook comes with Canada co-hosting the World Cup alongside the United States and Mexico from June 11 through July 19.
Canada Soccer is set to stage six matches in Toronto and seven more in Vancouver, and benefit from related sponsorship, broadcast and matchday revenue.
The national sports organization projects revenue to approach $62 million in 2026, with expenses forecast at $55.4 million.
The surplus is expected to help rebuild reserves after years of deficits while maintaining investment in national team programs, coaching and domestic leagues.
Canada Soccer generally sees both a boost in revenue and increased costs in any year where the men’s national team plays in a World Cup, Blue said.
“And that’s, I think, a lot of what’s being reflected here, in addition to organic revenue growth that we’ve been able to generate in the form of increased commercial activity and philanthropy,” he said.
The organization brought in $5.18 million in philanthropic revenue in 2025, up from $1.70 million in 2024.
Looking to donors for revenue has been a conscious choice, Blue said.
“I think it’s a modern and forward-looking way of operating an NSO to make the foundation component a central part of the revenue generating mix,” he said. “And I think we see this in particular given the discussion around government support.
“We want to make sure that we’re doing everything we can to diversify our revenue streams. And this is one area where I think we’ve been emphasizing it. And you can see that in the results.”
The organization has also reworked its commercial agreement with Canadian Soccer Media & Entertainment, formerly Canadian Soccer Business. The new deal expected to deliver more than $100 million in additional net revenue over its 12-year term.
While the financial benefit isn’t reflected in Wednesday’s update, getting the new deal done gives clarity to the commercial future of the sport and the organization, Blue said.
“It is critical that it’s done prior to the World Cup, for psychological and confidence reasons, especially in the corporate community who are investing at an increased rate in the sport,” he said. “So it’s really important that brands and other investors, whether it’s commercial or philanthropic, understand that there’s really great alignment between Canada Soccer commercial partners and the players.”
The national sporting body also announced last week that it had ratified a new collective bargaining agreement with the player associations representing the two national teams.
Much of the agreement was struck in 2024, and it provides equitable compensation and benefits for both the men’s and women’s teams.
The pact includes a no-strike, no-lockout clause and introduces revenue sharing, with players receiving a portion of ticket revenue from home friendlies.
“It’s formal ratification is symbolic of, I guess, a period at the end of the sentence, with respect to the positive relationship that we have with the players,” Blue said.
Canada Soccer posted both the new collective bargaining agreement and its financial outlook online, a move that Blue said shows the organization is committed to transparency.
“I think in the past, there’s been some questions about this,” he said. “And I would suggest that Canada Soccer is walking the talk as it relates to trying to be as transparent as any sports organization in Canada.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 8, 2026.
Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press