What hosting the World Cup means for Canadian soccer: ‘The stakes are absolutely massive’

T oronto’s Front Street, which loosely tethers the city’s central station and some of its landmarks to the part of the waterfront that hosts the fan fest and Toronto Stadium to the west, thrummed all week with a pleasant energy. Hours ahead of Croatia-Panama on Tuesday, there were scores of jerseys out for those countries, of course, but plenty for Brazil and Scotland and other sides as well. A Croatian fan scolded a street vendor hawking Blue Jays gear by the Rogers Center, where the baseball team were about to play, for not selling any Croatia merch. “Croatia!” he said gruffly. “Gonna win today!” Across the street, the images of six women’s soccer players in Northern Super League uniforms were plastered on the headquarters of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. “Canada’s first professional women’s soccer league,” read the caption. Ah, yes, domestic soccer – that still exists, too, amid the fun and folklore of the World Cup . The contrast illuminated the stakes of this mega-event for Canada . While the United States and, to a lesser extent, Mexico, have hogged the headlines, Canada is the only first-time host in 2026. Mexico is on its third World Cup; the USA on its second. But for Canada, the potential upside is far higher. For it is hoped this World Cup gives soccer the kind of boost the US got in 1994, and that Mexico doesn’t really need anymore. …