soccer

Canada midfielder Jonathan Osorio stretches during practice at the World Cup in Doha, Qatar during on Sunday, November 20, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Canada players say team belief is strong ahead of World Cup opener against Belgium

Team hopes to suprise viewers who see Canadians as underdogs, says midfielder Jonathan Osorio

Canada midfielder Jonathan Osorio stretches during practice at the World Cup in Doha, Qatar during on Sunday, November 20, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks at a press conference Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

FIFA revenue hits $7.5B for current World Cup period

Commercial deals tied to 2022 World Cup in Qatar

FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks at a press conference Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Fans packed into the stadium for the game, over 4,600, to witness Pacific FC play against C.S. Herediano during their CONCACAF round-of-16 tie at Starlight Stadium on Aug. 16. (Simon Fearn/Black Press Media)

Pacific FC hosting World Cup watch parties

Events at the Wicket Hall on Nov. 23 for Belgium and Bard & Banker on Nov. 27 for the Croatia game

Fans packed into the stadium for the game, over 4,600, to witness Pacific FC play against C.S. Herediano during their CONCACAF round-of-16 tie at Starlight Stadium on Aug. 16. (Simon Fearn/Black Press Media)
FILE - Bottles of Budweiser beer are on display in a shop window in London on Oct. 13, 2015. World Cup organizers reportedly have made another late change in alcohol policy only two days before games start in Qatar by banning beer sales at the eight soccer stadiums in and around Doha. Media reports say Qatari authorities are pressing FIFA to ban all sales of long-time World Cup beer sponsor Budweiser at the eight venues. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)

Qatar bans sale of beer at World Cup stadiums in about-face

Major sponsor Budweiser’s Twitter account tweeted: “Well, this is awkward…”

FILE - Bottles of Budweiser beer are on display in a shop window in London on Oct. 13, 2015. World Cup organizers reportedly have made another late change in alcohol policy only two days before games start in Qatar by banning beer sales at the eight soccer stadiums in and around Doha. Media reports say Qatari authorities are pressing FIFA to ban all sales of long-time World Cup beer sponsor Budweiser at the eight venues. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)
Amer Didic (left) celebrates a goal while his teammates jump on his shoulders during their game against Forge FC on April 10. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

Langford’s Pacific FC re-sign star centre-backs

Amer Didic and Thomas Meilleur-Giguere will be wearing purple for the upcoming season

Amer Didic (left) celebrates a goal while his teammates jump on his shoulders during their game against Forge FC on April 10. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
Qatar’s Alrawi, left, tries tp stop Canada’s Liam Millar during the international friendly soccer match between Qatar and Canada, at the Viola Park stadium in Vienna, Austria, Friday, Sept. 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Florian Schroetter)

Next-level opposition awaits Canada’s World Cup team in Qatar

No. 3 Belgium, No. 12 Croatia and No. 22 Morocco await the 41st-ranked Canadians in Group F

Qatar’s Alrawi, left, tries tp stop Canada’s Liam Millar during the international friendly soccer match between Qatar and Canada, at the Viola Park stadium in Vienna, Austria, Friday, Sept. 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Florian Schroetter)
Pacific FC midfielder Jamar Dixon shares some pointers with Journey Middle School students Morgan Jefferis, Mikhail Ellis and River Tse-Browell following the championship game between the Grade 7s and Grade 8s. Several Pacific FC players took part in the school visit on Friday, June 24, refereeing the game, mingling with students and signing autographs for many who were thrilled by the opportunity to meet the players. (Rick Stiebel/News Staff)

Pacific FC captain plans for next steps

Jamar Dixon said he hopes to raise the standard and help young players stay in Canada

Pacific FC midfielder Jamar Dixon shares some pointers with Journey Middle School students Morgan Jefferis, Mikhail Ellis and River Tse-Browell following the championship game between the Grade 7s and Grade 8s. Several Pacific FC players took part in the school visit on Friday, June 24, refereeing the game, mingling with students and signing autographs for many who were thrilled by the opportunity to meet the players. (Rick Stiebel/News Staff)
Canada’s Alphonso Davies celebrates his penalty kick goal against Curacao during the first half of a CONCACAF Nations League soccer match, in Vancouver, on Thursday, June 9, 2022. Davies has come a long way in a short time. Now the 22-year-old from Edmonton is set to shine on the world stage. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

After eventful year, Canada’s Alphonso Davies set to shine on soccer’s biggest stage

The face of Canada’s national soccer program ready to step into the spotlight in Qatar

Canada’s Alphonso Davies celebrates his penalty kick goal against Curacao during the first half of a CONCACAF Nations League soccer match, in Vancouver, on Thursday, June 9, 2022. Davies has come a long way in a short time. Now the 22-year-old from Edmonton is set to shine on the world stage. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Easton Ongaro is one of the most prolific goal scorers in the Canadian Premier League’s history, with 25 goals in 55 appearances during his time at FC Edmonton. (Courtesy of Pacific FC)

Langford-based Pacific FC poaches lanky goal poacher

Easton Ongaro scored 25 goals in 55 games with FC Edmonton over a 3-year span

Easton Ongaro is one of the most prolific goal scorers in the Canadian Premier League’s history, with 25 goals in 55 appearances during his time at FC Edmonton. (Courtesy of Pacific FC)
Canadian national soccer team players Paul James (left) and Randy Samuel celebrate the team’s 2-1 win over Honduras in St. John’s, Nfld. in this 1985 file photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Michael Creagan

Islander basking in World Cup run as he recalls own national team experience

Campbell River’s Ken Garraway sees qualifying as having “huge impact” on the future of soccer in Canada

Canadian national soccer team players Paul James (left) and Randy Samuel celebrate the team’s 2-1 win over Honduras in St. John’s, Nfld. in this 1985 file photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Michael Creagan
Eden Hazard, left, and Tessa Wullaert, captains of the Belgian men’s and women’s national soccer teams, hold a globe during a farewell ceremony for the Red Devils, the men’s soccer team, at the airport in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022. The Belgian team leaves for Kuwait where it will play a friendly match on Friday against Egypt and then fly onto Qatar to participate in the World Cup. (AP Photo/Olivier Matthys)

Gambling group estimates US will bet $1.8B on World Cup

Survey: Less than 3 in 10 Americans who plan to watch the tournament say they will bet on it

Eden Hazard, left, and Tessa Wullaert, captains of the Belgian men’s and women’s national soccer teams, hold a globe during a farewell ceremony for the Red Devils, the men’s soccer team, at the airport in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022. The Belgian team leaves for Kuwait where it will play a friendly match on Friday against Egypt and then fly onto Qatar to participate in the World Cup. (AP Photo/Olivier Matthys)
Canada celebrates a goal by Christine Sinclair during second half soccer action against Nigeria during the national team celebration tour in Langford, B.C., on April 11, 2022. Canadians face Brazil Nov. 11 for an international friendly series. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Canadian women look to extend 4-game win streak in 2-match series in Brazil

Women face Brazil on Friday

Canada celebrates a goal by Christine Sinclair during second half soccer action against Nigeria during the national team celebration tour in Langford, B.C., on April 11, 2022. Canadians face Brazil Nov. 11 for an international friendly series. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Canada Soccer president Nick Bontis speaks during a news conference, in Vancouver, on Sunday, June 5, 2022. Canada Soccer president Nick Bontis predicts the ongoing labour talks with the Canadian men’s and women’s teams will produce “an epic historical deal for pay equity.”THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Canada Soccer president predicts labour talks will produce ‘epic, historical’ deal

President said he’ll guarantee women’s team pay equity

Canada Soccer president Nick Bontis speaks during a news conference, in Vancouver, on Sunday, June 5, 2022. Canada Soccer president Nick Bontis predicts the ongoing labour talks with the Canadian men’s and women’s teams will produce “an epic historical deal for pay equity.”THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
FILE - Canada’s Christine Sinclair reacts during a CONCACAF Women’s Championship soccer semifinal match against Jamaica in Monterrey, Mexico, Thursday, July 14, 2022. Sinclair has played for the Portland Thorns since 2013, at the start of the National Women’s Soccer League. Now the Thorns are preparing for Saturday’s NWSL championship game in Washington D.C. against the Kansas City Current, in a match broadcast in primetime on CBS.(AP Photo/Fernando Llano, File)

Canada captain Christine Sinclair challenges Canada Soccer to step up in new memoir

‘My fear is that we will soon be surpassed by countries that support their youth programs’

FILE - Canada’s Christine Sinclair reacts during a CONCACAF Women’s Championship soccer semifinal match against Jamaica in Monterrey, Mexico, Thursday, July 14, 2022. Sinclair has played for the Portland Thorns since 2013, at the start of the National Women’s Soccer League. Now the Thorns are preparing for Saturday’s NWSL championship game in Washington D.C. against the Kansas City Current, in a match broadcast in primetime on CBS.(AP Photo/Fernando Llano, File)
The Vancouver FC logo is shown in this undated handout photo. The Canadian Premier League revealed its newest franchise on Wednesday night, Vancouver FC. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Vancouver Football Club *MANDATORY CREDIT*

CPL unveils newest franchise Vancouver FC, names first head coach

Vancouver is set to take to the pitch for the upcoming 2023 season

The Vancouver FC logo is shown in this undated handout photo. The Canadian Premier League revealed its newest franchise on Wednesday night, Vancouver FC. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Vancouver Football Club *MANDATORY CREDIT*
Former Vancouver Whitecaps and Canada U-20 women’s soccer coach Bob Birarda arrives at provincial court for a sentencing hearing, in North Vancouver, B.C., on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. Birarda, 55, pleaded guilty in February to three counts of sexual assault and one count of sexual touching for offences involving four different people between 1988 and 2008. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

2-year sentence for former B.C. soccer coach Bob Birarda on sex charges

16 months to be spent in jail, 8 months in community

Former Vancouver Whitecaps and Canada U-20 women’s soccer coach Bob Birarda arrives at provincial court for a sentencing hearing, in North Vancouver, B.C., on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. Birarda, 55, pleaded guilty in February to three counts of sexual assault and one count of sexual touching for offences involving four different people between 1988 and 2008. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
FILE - Canada’s Scott Kennedy, left, and El Salvador’s Nelson Bonilla compete for the ball during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at Cuscatlan stadium in San Salvador, El Salvador, Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022. Canadian defender Scott Kennedy will miss the World Cup after injuring a shoulder. The 25-year-old, who has eight international appearances, was hurt Saturday, Oct. 29 while playing for Regensburg against Rostock in the German second tier. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

Canadian defender Kennedy to miss World Cup

Training camp opening Sunday ahead of a Nov. 11 exhibition against Bahrain

FILE - Canada’s Scott Kennedy, left, and El Salvador’s Nelson Bonilla compete for the ball during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at Cuscatlan stadium in San Salvador, El Salvador, Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022. Canadian defender Scott Kennedy will miss the World Cup after injuring a shoulder. The 25-year-old, who has eight international appearances, was hurt Saturday, Oct. 29 while playing for Regensburg against Rostock in the German second tier. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
FILE- Young boys play soccer on a dusty field in Duduza, east of Johannesburg, South Africa, June 23, 2021. Soccer has embarked on probably its most ambitious global youth development program, an ultimate goal of delivering millions of soccer balls and a coaching program to 700 million children aged between 4 and 14 across the world. The Football For Schools project was launched in 2019 but came to a grinding halt because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It has now been relaunched. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe, file)

Soccer’s ‘most important project’ begins, and it’s not the World Cup

Project aims to get soccer balls to 700 million children in poor and remote corners of the world

FILE- Young boys play soccer on a dusty field in Duduza, east of Johannesburg, South Africa, June 23, 2021. Soccer has embarked on probably its most ambitious global youth development program, an ultimate goal of delivering millions of soccer balls and a coaching program to 700 million children aged between 4 and 14 across the world. The Football For Schools project was launched in 2019 but came to a grinding halt because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It has now been relaunched. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe, file)
Vancouver Island University’s soccer program won two provincial championships in one day as the women and men both won Pacific Western Athletic Association titles on Sunday, Oct. 30, in West Vancouver. (News Bulletin file photo)

VIU Mariners soccer teams both win provincial championships

Women beat Douglas 5-1, men shut out Langara 2-0

Vancouver Island University’s soccer program won two provincial championships in one day as the women and men both won Pacific Western Athletic Association titles on Sunday, Oct. 30, in West Vancouver. (News Bulletin file photo)
Denmark’s Christian Eriksen in action during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Croatia and Denmark at the Maksimir stadium in Zagreb, Croatia, on Sept. 22, 2022. Denmark will wear team jerseys at the World Cup that protest the human rights record of host nation Qatar, with a black option to honor migrant workers who died during construction work for the tournament. “The color of mourning,” kit manufacturer Hummel said when releasing the black third-choice design. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

World Cup jerseys get mixed reviews ahead of Qatar

Millions at stake in retail sales, as soccer fans play rate the shirt

Denmark’s Christian Eriksen in action during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Croatia and Denmark at the Maksimir stadium in Zagreb, Croatia, on Sept. 22, 2022. Denmark will wear team jerseys at the World Cup that protest the human rights record of host nation Qatar, with a black option to honor migrant workers who died during construction work for the tournament. “The color of mourning,” kit manufacturer Hummel said when releasing the black third-choice design. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
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