issues and experts
Countdown to FIFA World Cup 2026 in Vancouver – SFU experts available
The 2026 World Cup kicks off in little over two weeks’ time with Canada hosting 13 matches, along with Mexico and the U.S.
The first of seven matches in Vancouver will see Australia take on Türkiye at B.C. Place, on 13 June.
While football fans eagerly await the start of matches, hosting the World Cup has not been without its challenges for authorities, communities and spectators. SFU experts are available to give their insight on various topics relating to the World Cup, such as branding, ticketing, hospitality, logistics, trade and marketing.
Available SFU Experts
LUANA CARCANO, lecturer and academic director, Beedie School of Business
luana_carcano@sfu.ca
Expertise: Marketing, branding and any sport and event management related topics linked to World Cup 2026 in Vancouver.
ANDREY PAVLOV, professor, Beedie School of Business
apavlov@sfu.ca
Expertise: Impact of the World Cup on the local economy and hospitality, including how B.C.’s new short-term rental rules may affect visiting fans.
ANDY YAN, director, The City Program
ayan@sfu.ca
Expertise: Short-term rentals, visitor accommodation, housing, urban planning and regeneration, transportation.
KENNEDY STEWART, associate professor, public policy
kennedys@sfu.ca
Expertise: As Mayor of Vancouver (2018-2022), Stewart played an integral role in helping to bring the World Cup to Vancouver. He can comment on how the successful bid was pieced together and what it means for the city and wider area to host matches and welcome fans from across the world.
TIM SWARTZ, professor, statistics and actuarial science
timothy_swartz@sfu.ca
Expertise: The rise of sports analytics and data in soccer; Swartz has authored more than 60 journal articles on sports analytics and has recently published a new book detailing some of the approaches used in the world of sports analytics.
PAUL KINGSBURY, professor, Geography
kingsbury@sfu.ca
Expertise: author of a study on how the 2006 World Cup was consumed on Vancouver’s multicultural Commercial Drive, and how the event provokes feelings of nationalism and community through shared emotions.
Contact
SAM SMITH, SFU Communication & Marketing
236.880.3297 | samuel_smith@sfu.ca
Simon Fraser University
Communications & Marketing | SFU Media Experts Directory
778.782.3210
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