‘Forgotten’ host Canada’s unforgettable World Cup

Canada, as a first-time World Cup host, has a soccer tradition.

It has two clubs that compete in Major League Soccer (MLS): Vancouver Whitecaps, founded in 1973, and Toronto FC, founded 32 years later.

But the country has struggled to translate the recreational league’s passion into consistent high-profile action, particularly with the men’s national team. Meanwhile, the women’s team is currently ranked ninth in FIFA.

This tournament helped provide a major financial boost to Canadian soccer, the sport’s official national governing body. Ahead of the tournament, the body launched a fundraiser that recently hit its C$25m target months ahead of schedule.

That windfall could expand the game’s roots domestically, Soccer Canada says, with more funding for youth participation, coaching development and senior and youth national teams.

Now, the hope is that the governing body can build on the buzz and support around the team as well as long-term projects such as establishing a national training centre.

Meanwhile, fans of the men’s national team, nicknamed Les Rouges, are enjoying a strong season.

“It brought a lot of people together in a very divided world that we live in,” said Zeileen Reardon, who watched the team play Morocco in Calgary.

“So I think it showed the world that we can come together even for a game,” she added.

Additional reporting by Nadine Yusif and Eloise Alana