Victor Montagliani, the Canadian president of Concacaf, has risen to become one of the most powerful figures in global soccer, orchestrating North America's successful bid for the 2026 World Cup and positioning himself as a potential successor to FIFA President Gianni Infantino. His journey from East Vancouver to the FIFA elite, however, is marked by persistent controversies, including allegations of a cover-up of a sexual predator and lopsided business deals.
Early Life and Rise in Soccer
Born Vittorio Montagliani in 1960 in East Vancouver, he was immersed in soccer from birth. His father co-founded the Italian Canadian Sports Federation and served as president of Columbus FC, a local club. Montagliani played for Columbus and even represented Canada's national futsal team until an ankle injury ended his competitive career. He earned a degree in political science, learning French and Spanish alongside English and Italian. After stints as a flight attendant and in insurance, he joined the Vancouver Metro Soccer League board in 2002, becoming president of BC Soccer within two years and a Canada Soccer board member. In 2012, he was elected president of Canada Soccer.
Concacaf Presidency and FIFA Vice-Presidency
In May 2015, Montagliani was in Zurich when Swiss authorities raided the Baur-Au-Lac Hotel, arresting soccer officials including Concacaf President Jefferey Webb. Montagliani chaired a committee to run Concacaf for a year, then won the presidency in 2016, becoming the first non-Caribbean to hold the role since 1969. He campaigned on his own dime, visiting all 41 member nations. The position also made him a FIFA vice-president.
Montagliani’s tenure has included close ties with soccer legends like Pelé, whom he greeted with a kiss on the head, and Diego Maradona, who called him "Papi." He also counts Carlo Ancelotti as a friend.
Controversies: The Birarda Scandal
In 2021, Vancouver Whitecaps women’s team players called for Montagliani’s suspension over Canada Soccer’s handling of allegations against coach Bob Birarda, who was later jailed for sexual assault. Players had reported concerns in 2008, but after a cursory investigation, Canada Soccer parted ways with Birarda with "best wishes." Montagliani led a meeting where players were told Birarda’s departure was for unspecified health reasons. The McLaren Report, a 125-page investigation, found "no acknowledgment of Birarda’s harassment" in scripted notes given to Montagliani for that meeting. A former player told the Guardian: "Victor Montagliani and [Canada Soccer General Secretary] Peter Montopoli covered up a sexual predator." Montagliani has denied any cover-up, stating the allegations were treated seriously.
CSB Deal and Governance Concerns
As Canada Soccer president, Montagliani helped create Canada Soccer Business (CSB), a private company that managed the federation’s media and marketing rights. Under the deal, CSB paid Canada Soccer just $3 million in 2019, with annual increases of about $500,000, while holding exclusive rights until 2037. The deal faced scrutiny for its lopsided terms and was tied to a labor dispute with national team players. Montagliani told a parliamentary inquiry he had no involvement after leaving for Concacaf. In February 2025, the deal was renegotiated, with new CEO Kevin Blue saying it would provide "well over $100 million" to Canada Soccer.
Partnerships with Saudi Arabia
In 2024, Concacaf entered a commercial partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, with Riyadh Air and Aramco becoming sponsors. Minky Worden of Human Rights Watch criticized the deal as "sportswashing" to cover human rights abuses. Concacaf defended the partnership, citing an "established track record of sponsorship" and a grassroots football program for young players in Central America and the Caribbean.
2026 World Cup Bid and Future Ambitions
Montagliano masterminded the joint North American bid for the 2026 World Cup, convincing US Soccer president Sunil Gulati to join forces. He told Gulati: "You just lost the last two bids, got your ass kicked. And you’re going to lose again – in fact, we’ll beat you. They hate your guts, dude." Adding Mexico made the bid a certainty. Vancouver will host seven World Cup matches. Montagliani was unanimously reelected Concacaf president in 2023, with his term ending in 2027. He has not ruled out a bid for FIFA presidency in 2031, saying: "The future will be the future, whatever that is."
Loyalty and Tight Control
Montagliani is known for loyalty, appointing old friends to FIFA committees. Former Canada Soccer president Nick Bontis sits on Concacaf’s executive council, and former general secretary Peter Montopoli is a senior executive for the 2026 World Cup. Correspondence seen by the Guardian reveals Montagliani’s iron fist when directors dissent, emphasizing that speaking publicly damaged Canada Soccer’s reputation. He declined to comment on the correspondence.
As the 2026 World Cup approaches, Montagliani’s influence continues to grow. A successful tournament could solidify his path to the FIFA presidency, but the controversies of his past remain unresolved.
