World Cup 2026

[GDOG]

https://substack.com/home/post/p-204039606

@vanriderfan and blackdog204 would be interested in this

[VANRIDERFAN]

Originally Posted by GDOG

https://substack.com/home/post/p-204039606

@vanriderfan and blackdog204 would be interested in this

Interesting, but will the 3 Cdn MLS clubs seize the moment? That's a big climbdown for Toronto civic pride to walk from a "big" league to an "inferior" domestic league.

[Djeffery]

Originally Posted by VANRIDERFAN

Interesting, but will the 3 Cdn MLS clubs seize the moment? That's a big climbdown for Toronto civic pride to walk from a "big" league to an "inferior" domestic league.

I enjoyed that read as well, but I have the same concern. The owners would like the half a billion US dollars, but the article mentions the gate of these 3 teams helping the CPL and I wonder what the gate actually will be as CPL teams? Are the Whitecaps really going to play in BC Place if they struggle to draw 5000 because they aren't "Major" soccer anymore? TFC may be wishing for Argo size crowds at BMO.

[ericmacm]

Originally Posted by GDOG

https://substack.com/home/post/p-204039606

@vanriderfan and blackdog204 would be interested in this

Pre-World Cup I would have considered this a stretch, but given the trajectory of how Canada has been performing, I think it is well within the realm of possibility that this happens in the next few years. I think changing the schedule to go through the winter was a big negative turning point for the future of the Canadian franchises, as it disproportionately benefits sunbelt franchises and those with fully enclosed stadiums. All concerns about taxes and USD-CAD conversion are absolutely valid and a huge detriment to profitability without implementing mitigating measures like the NHL/MLB/NBA has done.

There is obviously a huge concern with the draw in the CPL but I think the World Cup is improving its visibility, and having Toronto FC, CF Montreal, and the Whitecaps flip their resources and infrastructure over to the CPL will further change the visibility of the league. I think there is a good chance a lot of smaller franchises will evaporate if this happens, but the CPL would ultimately come out stronger overall. The big question will be whether or not they actually want to do that, or instead try to keep fighting the financial riptide of being hitched to the MLS for the increased visibility and larger media presence.

[BlackDog204]

Originally Posted by EnvisionSaintJohn

Interesting history, but a poor team name nonetheless.

Shoulda just called them the Winnipeg Bluebombers FC and left it at that… I bet they’d still be around had they done that, and we’d probably have seen the Saskatchewan Roughriders FC formed soon after in response.

I agree that Valour was a poor name choice. However, even naming them "WinnipegFC" would not have helped. The Bombers did not exactly promote the team, or it's game well. Aside from that, the soccer was not great.

[Nite]

Originally Posted by ericmacm

Pre-World Cup I would have considered this a stretch, but given the trajectory of how Canada has been performing, I think it is well within the realm of possibility that this happens in the next few years. I think changing the schedule to go through the winter was a big negative turning point for the future of the Canadian franchises, as it disproportionately benefits sunbelt franchises and those with fully enclosed stadiums. All concerns about taxes and USD-CAD conversion are absolutely valid and a huge detriment to profitability without implementing mitigating measures like the NHL/MLB/NBA has done.

There is obviously a huge concern with the draw in the CPL but I think the World Cup is improving its visibility, and having Toronto FC, CF Montreal, and the Whitecaps flip their resources and infrastructure over to the CPL will further change the visibility of the league. I think there is a good chance a lot of smaller franchises will evaporate if this happens, but the CPL would ultimately come out stronger overall. The big question will be whether or not they actually want to do that, or instead try to keep fighting the financial riptide of being hitched to the MLS for the increased visibility and larger media presence.

The 3 Canadian MLS teams spend 4 to 8 million dollars (USD) a year on player development, they do this because it's a rule all MLS teams have to follow.

If they were to leave MLS this would go to zero as no such rule exist for CPL teams who don't have the revenue to spend that much on their first team rosters yet alone on player development.

You would knee cap Canadian development if these teams were to leave MLS.

[BlackDog204]

Originally Posted by Nite

The 3 Canadian MLS teams spend 4 to 8 million dollars (USD) a year on player development, they do this because it's a rule all MLS teams have to follow.

If they were to leave MLS this would go to zero as no such rule exist for CPL teams who don't have the revenue to spend that much on their first team rosters yet alone on player development.

You would knee cap Canadian development if these teams were to leave MLS.

Well said.

I skimmed through the opinion piece of the author who wants the MLS Canadian clubs to withdrawal from the league to join the CPL, and all I can say is, I would not waste my time debating. It makes absolutely no sense, and would just result in there being no professional soccer in Canadian cities, once the inevitability happens (The CPL folds).

I look at it like discussing Elon Musk's idea that he will create a living, functioning city of human beings on Mars, that will be home to nearly one million inhabitants. However, I would not bother, since it's impossible, and I don't want to waste my time listing the one million reasons that it is not possible, and another one of Musk's con jobs to obtain money from the Federal Government.

[svlt]

Originally Posted by Djeffery

I can only assume they are talking about television numbers, because I would have to guess soccer is the #1 played sport in Canada, at least up until the teen years. Even the fat kids like me played soccer when we were 9.

For TV, hockey obviously is 1, I would put baseball 2 simply because of the volume of the product over the year, with NFL probably not far behind. Hockey (7 Olympics and 1 Stanley Cup final game) and the Super Bowl are tied at 8 each of the top 20 television broadcasts in Canada, with the other 4 being 2010 opening and closing ceremonies and games 6 and 7 of last year's World Series.

I don't know that even if Canada won the WC that it would catapult MLS up the ranks of TV viewing though. I like to watch golf a bit, but Mike Weir winning the Masters didn't make the regular weekly tournaments any less boring to me. Soccer would be the same I think to a lot of people. This is an event. Canada playing this weekend could conceivably knock a Super Bowl out of that top 20 list, but you aren't going to see Toronto FC setting lighting a ratings fire if Canada advances further.

Originally Posted by Djeffery

I enjoyed that read as well, but I have the same concern. The owners would like the half a billion US dollars, but the article mentions the gate of these 3 teams helping the CPL and I wonder what the gate actually will be as CPL teams? Are the Whitecaps really going to play in BC Place if they struggle to draw 5000 because they aren't "Major" soccer anymore? TFC may be wishing for Argo size crowds at BMO.

That author glossed over the most important part - the sport. I've watched it my entire life and the CPL is simply not good enough as entertainment. The MLS in 2026 for all its persistent flaws actually produces decent soccer today. It's not the MLS of 2007 when I first watched when TFC joined.

It was a long read but unless I missed it there is nothing addressing the massive roster downgrades TFC, IMFC and VWFC will endure. There are no Mullers or Messis or Lewandowskis or De Pauls or Berhalters in the CPL and there won't be. Instead you get mostly nobodies. They would maybe be able to make it onto a Honduran premier league roster. A few might crack Trinidad & Tobago's national team. There are 45 MLS players playing in the World Cup this year, 3 play on the Whitecaps, 3 play on Toronto FC. 12 players are Whitecaps alumni. There are 0 in the CPL. We are going from being part of the relative big leagues to something that is less than the Vancouver Canadians are to the Seattle Mariners.

It's like getting a bean counter to dream up of ideas - he forgot what's actually happening on the pitch and on the ground and the people who watch and enjoy the game itself. Local soccer interest as a spectator sport - that is, fan interest in Canadian teams - are fickle and fairweather. Relegating the three best Canadian sides to very, very minor leagues will undo all the domestic interest that has recently been gained. Casuals, the bulk source of the support needed to continue growing the sport in Canada, will probably only tune in for the Canadian Men's National team, and that's only if they continue to be good - not a given if we kill off the pipeline that the 3 Canadian MLS teams provide (notwithstanding whatever scheme/pseudo charity the author dreamed up of MLS kicking in support even after all Canadian existence has left - why the hell would they?).

None of the three teams unless absolutely forced out of the league should voluntarily agree to this "accord".

I've nothing against the CPL continuing to exist and hope it survives, but there is no way this happens voluntarily by any of the three clubs, nor should it.

[suburbanite]

The seeding played out well for the last game in Toronto given the prominent Portuguese and Croatian populations in the GTA. The Portugal parade going through Liberty Village looked like the largest yet. One of the best game of the tournament so far as well.

[samne]

Originally Posted by suburbanite

The seeding played out well for the last game in Toronto given the prominent Portuguese and Croatian populations in the GTA. The Portugal parade going through Liberty Village looked like the largest yet. One of the best game of the tournament so far as well.

Looked like an incredible atmosphere. Great finale to Toronto’s hosting games. Great sub plot of Modric vs Ronaldo final WC. Down to literally last minute and some controversy. Hot as Hell.

BMO Field is the smallest, but one of the best atmospheres in this WC. Outside of Mexico, it’s the only soccer specific stadium.

[logan5]

Even BC Place at 52 000 is one of the smallest venues in the tournament, but both Toronto and Vancouver provide the best atmospheres because our stadiums are downtown. The US has 80 000 person NFL stadiums, but they are way out in the suburbs, and surrounded by parking lots. The game day experience in Vancouver and Toronto is vastly superior to any US city.

One of the Swiss players even mentioned that the NFL stadiums don’t feel right for soccer matches. BC Place feels like a soccer stadium he said, which surprised me. Though it looks way better when it’s packed, and not half empty, like when the Whitecaps play.

[Coldrsx]

The Roos are out!

Pumped for tomorrow.

GO CANADA GO!

[Surrealplaces]

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

The Roos are out!

Pumped for tomorrow.

GO CANADA GO!

Looking forward to the game. I'm not expecting a win against such a strong opponent, but as many would probably agree, this is kind of icing on the cake. If they win, it'll be even more icing. If they lose, it's still a win in a lot of ways.
- This tournament has given so much exposure to the sport here in Canada.
- Canada will receive ~21 Million CDN just for making the round of 16.
- Playing a powerhouse like Morocco in a knockout is huge experience money can't buy, especially for the younger players.

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Cabo Verde tied against Argentina at the moment… I bet this goes to penalties.

[shappy]

Portuguese coach talks about his experience in Toronto

• Video Link


Ronaldo greets crowd outside the team's hotel

• Video Link

[BlackDog204]

Alphonso Davies will not start for Canada.

[Mister F]

Originally Posted by VANRIDERFAN

Interesting, but will the 3 Cdn MLS clubs seize the moment? That's a big climbdown for Toronto civic pride to walk from a "big" league to an "inferior" domestic league.

As long as Canadians consider something domestic to be inferior, Canadian sports teams will always be junior partners in American leagues that prioritize American success. Besides, the way things are going it might not be long before Vancouver and Montreal find themselves out of the MLS anyway. Is it really healthy for Canadian soccer to have one token team in a foreign league (that plays games outdoors in February)?

Only in Canada is the idea of having domestic sports leagues considered radical. If Canadians can get get over our national inferiority complex we might actually be able to build something of our own instead of tagging along with America hoping to get some of their scraps.

[Nouvellecosse]

Originally Posted by Mister F

Only in Canada is the idea of having domestic sports leagues considered radical. If Canadians can get get over our national inferiority complex we might actually be able to build something of our own instead of tagging along with America hoping to get some of their scraps.

That's a problem I've long been frustrated by. I have to wonder though, how many other countries with a similar population have purely domestic leagues that its population views as equal or superior to foreign leagues? In Europe they have domestic leagues like the Premier League in England and Wales but they still compete internationally in things like UEFA Champions League. It isn't just a domestic cup as the highest level of competition since the highest level is more like the MLB World Series except with a domestic cup below that. So it would be like if Canada had a domestic hockey league with its own cup while there was also a North American cup that equates to the Stanley Cup that was the highest non-Olympic level of competition.

But I wonder how often you see a country the population of Canada or England where the setup is like the CFL with domestic teams that don't have any international competition events? Where the only thing higher involved individual players picked for the national teams like with the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, etc. rather than the actual teams competing?

[BlackDog204]

It's just been announced that Alphonso Davies was given a clean bill of heath to play today, and told the coach that he "was not feeling well."

This won't affect Davies reputation in the premier leagues, but in a hockey crazed nation, where players literally play through broken bones, Alphonso Davies will never be remembered as a man who has a heart. Pity.

[James Bond Agent 007]

Originally Posted by James Bond Agent 007

Did anybody realistically think Canada would get a whole lot farther in the World Cup than this?

As I said.