EDMONTON — Following today’s announcement that several 2026 FIFA World Cup soccer matches will not include stops in Edmonton, critics point to lack of infrastructure and conditions set by the province for bid funding as likely reasons the city lost out to Toronto and Vancouver.

“Edmonton has been robbed,” wrote one football fan who took to Twitter after the announcement.

“Was there a connection to the demands of the provincial government? asked another fan on Twitter, referring to the Alberta government’s money for the offer which depended on the condition that five of the 10 games in Canada be played in the Alberta capital, including two playoff games.

In the joint bid which also included the United States and Mexico, 16 host cities were chosen from that continent. Canada will host 10 games at BMO Field in Toronto and BC Place in Vancouver, while another 10 will be played in Mexico. The remaining 60 matches will be held at multiple locations across the United States

Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi said the city has been a strong advocate to host some of the 2026 World Cup matches. we had the support of Edmontonians,” Sohi said. “I’m proud of the offer we made.”