THE HALFAX HEIMDALL AUGUR

Canada is ready to become a soccer nation as it hosts World Cup opener ... Canada is ready to become a soccer nation as it hosts World Cup opener against Bosnia-Herzegovina NPR | By The Associated Press Published June 12, 2026 at 7:47 AM CDT Facebook LinkedIn Pinterest Email Print Stephanie Scarbrough / AP Canada head coach Jesse Marsch, left, with Stephen Eustaquio, speaks during a press conference, Thursday, June 11, 2026, in Toronto, on the eve of the team's World Cup soccer match against Bosnia. TORONTO — Luke Reece never played hockey growing up in the Toronto suburb of Mississauga. Instead, he played soccer, like many Canadians who are now adults. The sport is so popular it has surpassed hockey and all other sports in youth participation, according to a recent report by Jumpstart, a Canadian charity that helps low-income youth play organized sports. It said half the nation's youth participate in organized soccer. Reece was one of many locals sporting Canada soccer gear on Thursday ahead of their nation's World Cup opener Friday against Bosnia-Herzegovina. "Wish I had tickets to the game tomorrow, but I don't," Reece said. "I'm going to a game in Vancouve…

Canada is ready to become a soccer nation as it hosts World Cup opener ... Canada head coach Jesse Marsch speaks during a press conference, Thursday, June 11, 2026, in Toronto, on the eve of the team's World Cup soccer match against Bosnia. Credit: AP/Stephanie Scarbrough By The Associated Press June 12, 2026 7:00 am Share TORONTO — Luke Reece never played hockey growing up in the Toronto suburb of Mississauga. Instead, he played soccer, like many Canadians who are now adults. The sport is so popular it has surpassed hockey and all other sports in youth participation, according to a recent report by Jumpstart, a Canadian charity that helps low-income youth play organized sports. It said half the nation’s youth participate in organized soccer. Reece was one of many locals sporting Canada soccer gear on Thursday ahead of their nation’s World Cup opener Friday against Bosnia-Herzegovina. “Wish I had tickets to the game tomorrow, but I don’t,” Reece said. “I’m going to a game in Vancouver. It was cheaper to get a ticket out there.” Is Canada about to have a soccer moment? “It already has a good hold in this country in terms of participation. I think we all expect that to grow. These t…

Canada is ready to become a soccer nation as it hosts World Cup opener ... Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save TORONTO (AP) — Luke Reece never played hockey growing up in the Toronto suburb of Mississauga. Instead, he played soccer, like many Canadians who are now adults. The sport is so popular it has surpassed hockey and all other sports in youth participation, according to a recent report by Jumpstart, a Canadian charity that helps low-income youth play organized sports. It said half the nation’s youth participate in organized soccer. Reece was one of many locals sporting Canada soccer gear on Thursday ahead of their nation’s World Cup opener Friday against Bosnia-Herzegovina. “Wish I had tickets to the game tomorrow, but I don’t,” Reece said. “I’m going to a game in Vancouver. It was cheaper to get a ticket out there.” Is Canada about to have a soccer moment? “It already has a good hold in this country in terms of participation. I think we all expect that to grow. These tournaments inspire so many next-generation people to find their heroes, play the game,” said Christina Linz, president of the women's Northern S…

Canada's soft power flex - Forecast - POLITICO Global power is in flux. Your daily guide to what comes next. By ZI-ANN LUM Send tips here | View in your browser Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney hoists up the FIFA World Cup Trophy in Ottawa, Canada, on May 24, 2026. | David Chan/AFP via Getty Images Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s rousing Davos speech , where he called on middle powers to not become losers to the world’s “hegemons,” delivered a message that positioned Canada as an influential convening power. Now, with billions watching, the World Cup is giving Canada an unprecedented opportunity to thirst-trap a global audience to take America’s neighbor a little more seriously. “The international brand of Canada is important for our economy, for our place in the world, diplomatically, but also commercially,” Canada’s secretary of state for sport and Olympic gold medallist Adam van Koeverden told Forecast. “We just want to emphasize that Canada is open for business,” he said. “We’re taking advantage of the reality that all eyes will be on Canada for the next couple of weeks throughout the FIFA tournament … and we want to continue to reinforce relationships, make new frien…

Canada's Historic World Cup Moment - Canada Soccer 12 Jun 2026 Full Time 18 Jun 2026 Full Time 24 Jun 2026 15:00 EDT By Devin HerouxJune 13, 2026 It was as if it happened in an instant. A fandom for the beautiful game that has gripped so many parts of the world grabbed Canada in a different way on Friday. On this day of history — the first men’s World Cup match on Canadian soil — Canada and its supporters, old and new, met the moment. What happened next was extraordinary. Some five hours before the game, led by The Voyageurs — the Canadian supporters group — thousands of fans dressed in red and white gathered in Trinity Bellwoods to prepare for the opening match for Canada at World Cup 2026. They sang O Canada, they chanted, cheered and waved flags wildly, whipping themselves into a frenzy before taking to the streets to begin their march to the match. Casual observers picking up their morning coffees on the busy thoroughfare of Queen West watched in amazement, joyful, swept up in the Canadian supporters’ enthusiasm. For the next 45 minutes — about a kilometre and a half — Canadian fans worked their way down Strachan Avenue, with a police escort, setting off flares and j…

Canada is ready to become a soccer nation as it hosts World Cup opener ... The Associated Press June 12, 2026, 7:04 AM TORONTO (AP) — Luke Reece never played hockey growing up in the Toronto suburb of Mississauga. Instead, he played soccer, like many Canadians who are now adults. The sport is so popular it has surpassed hockey and all other sports in youth participation, according to a recent report by Jumpstart, a Canadian charity that helps low-income youth play organized sports. It said half the nation’s youth participate in organized soccer. Reece was one of many locals sporting Canada soccer gear on Thursday ahead of their nation’sWorld Cupopener Friday against Bosnia-Herzegovina. “Wish I had tickets to the game tomorrow, but I don’t,” Reece said. “I’m going to a game in Vancouver. It was cheaper to get a ticket out there.” IsCanadaabout to have a soccer moment? “It already has a good hold in this country in terms of participation. I think we all expect that to grow. These tournaments inspire so many next-generation people to find their heroes, play the game,” said Christina Linz, president of the women’s Northern Super League. “I think (it) will really draw those emot…

Canada is ready to become a soccer nation as it hosts World Cup opener ... NPR News Canada is ready to become a soccer nation as it hosts World Cup opener against Bosnia-Herzegovina NPR | By The Associated Press Published June 12, 2026 at 8:47 AM EDT Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Stephanie Scarbrough / AP Canada head coach Jesse Marsch, left, with Stephen Eustaquio, speaks during a press conference, Thursday, June 11, 2026, in Toronto, on the eve of the team's World Cup soccer match against Bosnia. TORONTO — Luke Reece never played hockey growing up in the Toronto suburb of Mississauga. Instead, he played soccer, like many Canadians who are now adults. The sport is so popular it has surpassed hockey and all other sports in youth participation, according to a recent report by Jumpstart, a Canadian charity that helps low-income youth play organized sports. It said half the nation's youth participate in organized soccer. Reece was one of many locals sporting Canada soccer gear on Thursday ahead of their nation's World Cup opener Friday against Bosnia-Herzegovina. "Wish I had tickets to the game tomorrow, but I don't," Reece said. "I'm going to a game in Vancouv…

Canada is ready to become a soccer nation as it hosts World Cup opener ... June 12, 2026 8:47 AM Canada head coach Jesse Marsch, left, with Stephen Eustaquio, speaks during a press conference, Thursday, June 11, 2026, in Toronto, on the eve of the team's World Cup soccer match against Bosnia. / AP TORONTO — Luke Reece never played hockey growing up in the Toronto suburb of Mississauga. Instead, he played soccer, like many Canadians who are now adults. The sport is so popular it has surpassed hockey and all other sports in youth participation, according to a recent report by Jumpstart, a Canadian charity that helps low-income youth play organized sports. It said half the nation's youth participate in organized soccer. Reece was one of many locals sporting Canada soccer gear on Thursday ahead of their nation's World Cup opener Friday against Bosnia-Herzegovina. "Wish I had tickets to the game tomorrow, but I don't," Reece said. "I'm going to a game in Vancouver. It was cheaper to get a ticket out there." Is Canada about to have a soccer moment? "It already has a good hold in this country in terms of participation. I think we all expect that to grow. These tournaments inspire …

Canada is ready to become a soccer nation as it hosts World Cup opener ... By Canadian Press on June 12, 2026. TORONTO (AP) — Luke Reece never played hockey growing up in the Toronto suburb of Mississauga. Instead, he played soccer, like many Canadians who are now adults. The sport is so popular it has surpassed hockey and all other sports in youth participation, according to a recent report by Jumpstart, a Canadian charity that helps low-income youth play organized sports. It said half the nation’s youth participate in organized soccer. Reece was one of many locals sporting Canada soccer gear on Thursday ahead of their nation’sWorld Cupopener Friday against Bosnia-Herzegovina. “Wish I had tickets to the game tomorrow, but I don’t,” Reece said. “I’m going to a game in Vancouver. It was cheaper to get a ticket out there.” IsCanadaabout to have a soccer moment? “It already has a good hold in this country in terms of participation. I think we all expect that to grow. These tournaments inspire so many next-generation people to find their heroes, play the game,” said Christina Linz, president of the women’s Northern Super League. “I think (it) will really draw those emotional con…

Canada is ready to become a soccer nation as it hosts World Cup opener ... Canada head coach Jesse Marsch speaks during a press conference, Thursday, June 11, 2026, in Toronto, on the eve of the team’s World Cup soccer match against Bosnia. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) Canada head coach Jesse Marsch, left, with Stephen Eustaquio, speaks during a press conference, Thursday, June 11, 2026, in Toronto, on the eve of the team’s World Cup soccer match against Bosnia. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) Canada players work out during a training session on the eve of the team’s World Cup soccer match against Bosnia, Thursday, June 11, 2026, in Toronto. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) Canada goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair works out during a training session on the eve of the team’s World Cup soccer match against Bosnia, Thursday, June 11, 2026, in Toronto. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) TORONTO (AP) — Luke Reece never played hockey growing up in the Toronto suburb of Mississauga. Instead, he played soccer, like many Canadians who are now adults. The sport is so popular it has surpassed hockey and all other sports in youth participation, according to a recent report by Jumpstart, a Canadi…

Canada is ready to become a soccer nation as it hosts World Cup opener against Bosnia-Herzegovina The World Cup is drawing attention to soccer's growing popularity in Canada. Soccer has surpassed hockey and all other sports in youth participation, according to a recent report by Jumpstart, a Canadian charity. Canada coach Jesse Marsch said Thursday he has "felt a real momentum behind this team and behind this moment."