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Posted by
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June 15, 2018 |
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MONTREAL, QC - The 2026 World Cup is coming to Canada, Mexico, and the U.S.A after the 68th FIFA Congress voted 67% in favour of the United bid from North America. The United Bid received 134 of 200 votes. Morocco garnered just 33% of the vote.
The 2026 World Cup will expand from 32 to 48 countries, and this is the first time that three countries will jointly host the biggest sporting event in the world. It's a going to be a fantastic opportunity to showcase Canada's top footballers across the globe.
"It takes your breath away to think that there's going to be World Cup games in Canada." Will Johnson told RedNation Online in Montreal. "Obviously, I've lived in America, and played all over North America. It's something that I think will change the trajectory of Major League Soccer, and soccer in Canada. More importantly, for years to come, it will have a huge impact on the national team. It's mind-boggling, I don't think it's really sunk in for anybody just yet."
Toronto, Montreal, and Edmonton are expected to be the only Canadian markets that will see matches at the World Cup in 2026. Canada and Mexico will each have 10 matches, while the United States will hold the majority of World Cup matches. In all sixteen cities will hold matches, but where and what venues... well that's still to be determined.
Montreal Impact midfielder, Samuel Piette will be 31 years-old when the 2026 World Cup arrives. He's part of the next generation that could bring Canada Soccer out from hibernation. Playing in a World Cup in his own back yard would mean everything.
"Yeah, I think it's huge." Piette beamed. "It's huge for the country, for Canada, U.S. and Mexico. It's huge for soccer in North America. Obviously, I'm really happy, because I'm part of the program now. Hopefully in eight years I'll still be around, but we can't forget the World Cup in 2022. I think we have to focus on that first, and try to qualify for that one."
While the 2026 World Cup immensely increase Canada's chance of playing in a World Cup, there is still the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. If John Herdman and his coaching staff can break new ground, exercise hexagonal demons it would be a great lead if Canada could play in back to back World Cups.
"It's a great feeling for the country, it's huge," Anthony Jackson-Hamel said, earlier this week. "I think we can't forget that there is another World Cup after this. We obviously want to qualify for that one too, but it's huge for the country."
This is a huge opportunity to grow and develop soccer in Canada. Yes, the World Cup is a massive coup, but having a competitive team that can play, score a goal, and not get laughed off the pitch is vitally important. MLS has provided an opportunity for the next up and coming Canadian talent, but a lot more still needs to be done before 2026.
"I think you're already starting to see it with the Major League Soccer academies in Montreal, Vancouver, Toronto." Johnson explained. "The Canadian Premier League is starting to form, some of the USL franchises. You're seeing that kids now have an opportunity to play professional soccer in Canada. That wasn't an option when I was a kid, it just wasn't. Now you add in the World Cup, and if we can get the men's national team going, which it looks like we are. Now these Canadian kids are going to see Canadians playing for Major League Soccer clubs, and playing for Canada. I do hope we make the World Cup in 2022. I think we have the talent, and the people to do that. I think that's step one, before we get too carried away with 2026."
Not getting carried away is a valid, because we don't know if Canada will earn an automatic host spot for the 2026 World Cup. There will be a FIFA vote at a later date to determine if Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. will each get an automatic bid.
The question remains, can Canada qualify for a World Cup without a host spot?
"We've been struggling in the past years," Piette admitted. "If we go from 32 to 48 teams, there will be more teams in CONCACAF that will qualify. Yeah, it doesn't matter, hopefully we qualify because we host it, but as well if we qualify because we deserve it, that's better."
You have to go back to 1986 for the last time Canada participated in a World Cup. Canada lost to France, Hungary, and the Soviet Union in the group stage, and did not score.
TWEET THREE -
There's plenty of time for Coach John Herdman to mould his team, and prepare for 2026. Canada has an abundance of young talent, with Whitecaps FC midfielder, Alphonso Davies leading the way. Bringing that next wave of talent with a carrot of the World Cup awaiting in eight years time is perfect for Canada Soccer to awaken from the doldrums.
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