From East Vancouver to FIFA's Inner Circle: The Rise of Victor Montagliani

Victor Montagliani grew up in a working-class immigrant neighborhood in East Vancouver, Canada. Today, he is one of the most powerful people in world soccer. He is the president of Concacaf, the organization that runs soccer across North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. He played a big role in bringing the 2026 FIFA World Cup to the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Some people see him as a visionary leader, while others point to serious controversies that have followed him throughout his career.

Montagliani was born in 1960 in East Vancouver, a neighborhood known for its tight-knit immigrant communities. His father helped found the Italian Canadian Sports Federation and was president of a local soccer club called Columbus FC. Montagliani grew up playing soccer and even made Canada's national futsal team before an ankle injury ended his playing days. He later earned a college degree in political science and learned to speak four languages: English, Italian, French, and Spanish.

Before entering soccer leadership, Montagliani worked as a flight attendant and then in insurance. In 2002, he joined the board of a local soccer league in Vancouver and rose quickly. He became president of BC Soccer within two years and then president of Canada Soccer in 2012. Friends describe him as someone who, once he decides to do something, goes all in.

A major turning point came in May 2015, when Swiss police raided a hotel in Zurich and arrested several top soccer officials on fraud and corruption charges. The president of Concacaf at the time, Jeffrey Webb, was among those arrested. Montagliani stepped in to help lead Concacaf through the chaos. In 2016, he was elected its president — the first non-Caribbean person to hold that role since 1969.

As Concacaf president, Montagliani became one of eight powerful vice presidents of FIFA. He worked hard to win support for a joint World Cup bid from the United States, Canada, and Mexico. He even convinced US Soccer president Sunil Gulati to drop plans for a solo US bid and team up instead. The joint bid was awarded the 2026 World Cup, a huge victory for North American soccer.

Montagliani has become well connected in the soccer world. He counts famous coaches and legends among his friends, including Carlo Ancelotti and the late Pelé and Diego Maradona. Vancouver's mayor even declared September 12 'Victor Montagliani Day' in the city. However, not everyone views him in a positive light.

One of the most serious controversies involves a former youth soccer coach named Bob Birarda. Female players reported concerns about his behavior to Canada Soccer as far back as 2008, but after a brief investigation Birarda was let go with only a vague explanation given to players. No mention was made of the serious allegations against him, and Birarda went on to coach girls and young women for another decade. He was later arrested and convicted of sexual assault.

Montagliani led the meeting where players were given the vague explanation for Birarda's departure. A 2022 investigation called the McLaren Report found that Canada Soccer's handling of the situation allowed Birarda to keep working with young players, putting more people at risk. One former player said: 'Canada Soccer did more to protect the predator than they have ever done to protect us, the players.' Montagliani has denied wrongdoing, saying the allegations were treated seriously.

Other controversies have also followed Montagliani. Before the 2015 Women's World Cup in Canada, 80 female players sued FIFA and Canada Soccer over the use of artificial turf fields, arguing it was unfair compared to the natural grass used in men's tournaments. As Concacaf president, he also made a commercial deal with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, which critics said allowed Saudi Arabia to use sports to distract from its human rights record. Montagliani and Concacaf defended both decisions.

Looking ahead, Montagliani is expected to seek reelection as Concacaf president in 2027. He has not ruled out one day running for the top job in global soccer — FIFA president. The current FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, can serve one more term starting in 2027, and after that, the door could open for someone new. 'The future will be the future, whatever that is,' Montagliani said when asked about his ambitions.