Economic loss would have exceeded gains if Edmonton had held World Cup games: expert

A professor of economics says Edmonton should be happy it was not selected to hold games for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Moshe Lander of Concordia University says the cost would have been much more than the economic benefits.

FIFA announced on Thursday that the 48-team tournament will see games played in 16 cities across North America, including Vancouver and Toronto.

Eleven cities in the United States will have games and three will be played in Mexico.

The Alberta government announced $110 million in funding for the bid earlier this year with a condition that five games be played in Edmonton.

Lander says he believes one of the reasons the city was not selected was because of that condition.