As Canada is hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside the United States and Mexico, federal funding for a stadium is also possible, Crombie said.

City staff will complete the study by 2019 when council will direct staff to get consultants, zoning, and prepare the next steps. If the study allows for its construction, the stadium is expected to be built by 2026.

“We know youth soccer is growing, demographics fit, there’s grassroots demand, and now we have the ability to finance a study through the tourism projects reserve fund,” Crombie added.

Canadian Premier League chair and commissioner David Clanachan was hugely supportive of the city’s move to build a stadium.

“We think Mississauga is one of the better cities in Canada for soccer,” he said. “We have at least two owners who have asked us about putting a team in the city.”

The Canadian Premier League’s first season begins in 2019, with seven teams from cities and regions across Canada including Calgary (Cavalry FC), Edmonton (FC Edmonton), Hamilton (Forge FC), Halifax (HFX Wanderers FC), Winnipeg (Valour FC), Greater Victoria (Vancouver Island), and York Region (York 9 FC). Some of these teams will be using temporary venues before expanding to permanent stadiums.

A Mississauga venue that could allow seating for 7,000 to 10,000 people is ideal, Clanachan said.

Editor’s Note: This story was updated to include the co-founders of the Sauga City Collective on Friday, July 20 at 9:30 a.m.