Victor Montagliani stands as one of football’s most influential administrators, credited with delivering the 2026 World Cup to North America and positioned as a potential successor to FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Yet the Concacaf president’s ascent from Vancouver’s immigrant neighbourhoods to the sport’s global elite carries persistent controversy, including calls for his suspension over Canada Soccer’s handling of sexual assault allegations against a former national team coach.
From East Van to Concacaf Summit
Born Vittorio Montagliani in East Vancouver in 1960, he grew up immersed in the game through Columbus FC, the club his father helped establish within the city’s Italian diaspora. After representing Canada’s national futsal team and playing for Columbus FC until an ankle injury ended his career, Montagliani pursued political science and worked variously as a flight attendant and in insurance risk management.
His administrative climb began in 2002 with the Vancouver Metro Soccer League. Within two years he led BC Soccer, joining the Canada Soccer board before winning the national presidency in 2012.
Rebuilding after Scandal
Montagliani’s breakthrough came amid crisis. On 27 May 2015, while in Zurich, US Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati alerted him to the dawn raids on FIFA officials that precipitated football’s corruption earthquake. Within months, Concacaf presidents Jeffrey Webb and Alfredo Hawit both faced arrest on racketeering charges.
Montagliani chaired Concacaf’s interim committee before campaigning across 41 nations to win the presidency in 2016, becoming the first non-Caribbean holder since 1969. “Like anything, when I decide to go, I go,” he later told BC Business, describing his self-funded three-month campaign.
The role elevated him to one of eight FIFA vice-presidents and placed him at the centre of the successful North American bid for the 2026 World Cup. His influence now extends to football’s highest echelons; Carlo Ancelotti keeps a Vancouver home where they are sometimes neighbours, while Montagliani enjoyed close ties with Pelé and Diego Maradona, whom the Argentine reportedly called “Papi.” Last year, Vancouver declared 12 September as Victor Montagliani Day in honour of his contributions to the city.
Power and Scrutiny
Despite these triumphs, Montagliani faced serious scrutiny in 2021 when Vancouver Whitecaps women’s players demanded his suspension. The calls followed revelations that Canada Soccer, where Montagliani served as vice-president during the 2000s, had parted with under-20s coach Bob Birarda with “best wishes” despite player reports of misconduct. Birarda was later jailed for sexual assault offences committed across decades.
This controversy clouds his ambitions for FIFA’s highest office, presenting a complex legacy for the Canadian who transformed Concacaf’s fortunes while questions linger over his former federation’s safeguarding failures.