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Hosting the soccer World Cup would be “fabulous” and add to Montreal’s international prestige, Mayor Valérie Plante said Tuesday.

But if the city is chosen to host part of the international tournament in 2026, there’s no question of going ahead unless the federal and provincial governments assume two-thirds of the cost, estimated at $150 million, Plante told reporters after an appearance at the HEC Montréal business school with Transport Minister Marc Garneau.

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“I would love to have the World Cup. I think it would be an important, fabulous event for Montreal and add to the city’s profile.

“But one thing is sure, that we won’t go ahead alone. Unless the provincial and federal governments help assume the costs, we won’t go ahead,” she said.

Plante said she’s hoping each of the three levels of government would assume one-third of the costs.

In September, Montreal threw its hat into the ring as a host city for the 2026 World Cup.

Then-mayor Denis Coderre noted at the time the tournament “is the second most important sporting event in the world after the Olympic Games.”

But Plante said Tuesday she wants to avoid repeating the mistakes of last year’s Formula E race, which racked up a $13.55-million deficit while most of the tickets were given away.