World Cup

Canada's Christine Sinclair battles for the ball with Nigeria's Christy Ucheibe during first half Group B soccer action at the FIFA Women's World Cup in Melbourne, Australia, Friday, July 21, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Scott Barbour

Canada looks for positives after disappointing draw to open soccer World Cup

‘It feels like we lost, I think we wanted more from ourselves’

Canada's Christine Sinclair battles for the ball with Nigeria's Christy Ucheibe during first half Group B soccer action at the FIFA Women's World Cup in Melbourne, Australia, Friday, July 21, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Scott Barbour
Canada’s Christine Sinclair battles for the ball with Nigeria’s Christy Ucheibe during first half Group B soccer action at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Melbourne, Australia, Friday, July 21, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Scott Barbour

Canada held to 0-0 draw by Nigeria in Women’s World Cup 2023 opener

Canadian veteran Sinclair stopped on penalty in 50th minute

Canada’s Christine Sinclair battles for the ball with Nigeria’s Christy Ucheibe during first half Group B soccer action at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Melbourne, Australia, Friday, July 21, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Scott Barbour
Abbotsford’s Sophie Schmidt suits up for Team Canada at the FIFA Women’s World Cup later this month. (Instagram photo)

Final FIFA World Cup ride for Abbotsford’s Sophie Schmidt

Schmidt, Canada Soccer open World Cup on July 20 against Nigeria

Abbotsford’s Sophie Schmidt suits up for Team Canada at the FIFA Women’s World Cup later this month. (Instagram photo)
FIFA president Gianni Infantino poses on the green carpet before the ceremony of the Best FIFA Football Awards in Paris, France, Monday, Feb. 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

FIFA expands 2026 World Cup again to create 104-game program

Schedule will last nearly six weeks in June-July across, Canada, U.S. and Mexico

FIFA president Gianni Infantino poses on the green carpet before the ceremony of the Best FIFA Football Awards in Paris, France, Monday, Feb. 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
Canada players celebrate their win following second half CONCACAF World Cup soccer qualifying action against Jamaica, in Toronto on Sunday, March 27, 2022. Qualifying in the CONCACAF region for the 2026 World Cup will kick off in March 2024 with co-hosts Canada, the U.S. and Mexico watching from the sidelines. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

CONCACAF unveils 2026 World Cup qualifying format with co-host Canada on sidelines

Three co-hosts will qualify automatically for the expanded 48-team field

Canada players celebrate their win following second half CONCACAF World Cup soccer qualifying action against Jamaica, in Toronto on Sunday, March 27, 2022. Qualifying in the CONCACAF region for the 2026 World Cup will kick off in March 2024 with co-hosts Canada, the U.S. and Mexico watching from the sidelines. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Vancouver will start charging a new hotel tax to help cover the costs of hosting the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup. (Ryan Adams/Wikimedia Commons)

7-year-long Vancouver hotel tax to start in February to help pay for 2026 FIFA World Cup

Provincial statement suggests tax would be in place until 2030, so four years after tournament

Vancouver will start charging a new hotel tax to help cover the costs of hosting the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup. (Ryan Adams/Wikimedia Commons)
Fans kiss while waiting for the arrival of the Argentine soccer team that won the World Cup outside the AFA training grounds in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico)

Sea of people try to catch glimpse of Argentina soccer team

Thousands lined the highway, many waving Argentine flags as team headed to dowtown Buenos Aires

Fans kiss while waiting for the arrival of the Argentine soccer team that won the World Cup outside the AFA training grounds in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico)
Soccer fans descend on the capital’s downtown for a homecoming parade for the Argentine soccer team that won the World Cup tournament in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello)

THE MOJ: That was a weekend to remind us of why we love sports

NFL piled up the big plays and big stories while the World Cup gave us a final for the ages

Soccer fans descend on the capital’s downtown for a homecoming parade for the Argentine soccer team that won the World Cup tournament in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello)
Argentina’s Lionel Messi, right on the pitch, celebrates after scoring his side’s first goal on a penalty kick during the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Hassan Ammar
Argentina’s Lionel Messi, right on the pitch, celebrates after scoring his side’s first goal on a penalty kick during the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Hassan Ammar
Argentina’s Lionel Messi reacts after winning the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. Argentina won 4-2 in a penalty shootout after the match ended tied 3-3. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Argentina’s Lionel Messi reacts after winning the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. Argentina won 4-2 in a penalty shootout after the match ended tied 3-3. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
France’s Ibrahima Konate, left, challenges for the ball with Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Morocco at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Griezmann gives his all, France advances to World Cup final

France will now try to deny Argentina star Lionel Messi a first World Cup title on Sunday

France’s Ibrahima Konate, left, challenges for the ball with Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Morocco at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
FILE - Moroccans celebrate in Rabat, Morocco, Saturday Dec. 10, 2022, after defeating Portugal in the quarterfinal soccer match of the World Cup played in Qatar. Every meeting of Morocco and France, the North African country’s former colonial ruler, meet in an international tournament, emotions run high among players and their supporters. Family tales of colonial past emerge among the Moroccans and stories of harsh life of immigrants in France bubble up with questions of national loyalty pop up to French players with immigrant roots. (AP Photo/Mosa’ab Elshamy, File)

Morocco faces France in politically charged World Cup semifinal

More than soccer on people’s minds as winner moves on to face Argentina in the final

FILE - Moroccans celebrate in Rabat, Morocco, Saturday Dec. 10, 2022, after defeating Portugal in the quarterfinal soccer match of the World Cup played in Qatar. Every meeting of Morocco and France, the North African country’s former colonial ruler, meet in an international tournament, emotions run high among players and their supporters. Family tales of colonial past emerge among the Moroccans and stories of harsh life of immigrants in France bubble up with questions of national loyalty pop up to French players with immigrant roots. (AP Photo/Mosa’ab Elshamy, File)
Argentina’s Julian Alvarez, centre, celebrates with teammate Lionel Messi after scoring his team’s second goal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between Argentina and Croatia at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Álvarez surges, scores, carries Argentina to World Cup final

Victory over Croatia vaults nation into winner-take-all match versus France or Morocco

Argentina’s Julian Alvarez, centre, celebrates with teammate Lionel Messi after scoring his team’s second goal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between Argentina and Croatia at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
Morocco’s players celebrate after winning the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Morocco and Portugal, at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Morocco’s tactical masterplan ignites unlikely World Cup run

Prior to this year, country had only ever won two of its 16 World Cup matches

Morocco’s players celebrate after winning the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Morocco and Portugal, at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates at the end of the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between the Netherlands and Argentina, at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022. Argentina defeated the Netherlands 4-3 in a penalty shootout after the match ended tied 2-2. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)
Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates at the end of the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between the Netherlands and Argentina, at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022. Argentina defeated the Netherlands 4-3 in a penalty shootout after the match ended tied 2-2. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)
Croatia’s Bruno Petkovic, center, celebrates after scoring his side’s opening goal during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Croatia and Brazil, at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)

Croatia shocks Brazil on penalties in World Cup quarterfinals

Perennial favourite and 5-time champion out of the tourney after losing in shootout

Croatia’s Bruno Petkovic, center, celebrates after scoring his side’s opening goal during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Croatia and Brazil, at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)
Canada midfielder Jonathan Osorio (21) and Morocco midfielder Sofiane Boufal (17) battle for the ball during second half group F World Cup soccer action at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar on Thursday, December 1, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Canada exits World Cup on third straight loss as Morocco profits from poor defending

Canada winless in three after a disappointing 2-1 loss to Morocco.

Canada midfielder Jonathan Osorio (21) and Morocco midfielder Sofiane Boufal (17) battle for the ball during second half group F World Cup soccer action at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar on Thursday, December 1, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Canada forward Alphonso Davies speaks to the media after practice at the World Cup in Doha, Qatar on Tuesday, November 29, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

VIDEO: After making history, Canadian star Alphonso Davies opens up at World Cup

‘Each and every time I step on the pitch, I try to give my all for this country.’

Canada forward Alphonso Davies speaks to the media after practice at the World Cup in Doha, Qatar on Tuesday, November 29, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
FILE - Players from Germany pose for the team photo as they cover their mouth during the World Cup group E soccer match between Germany and Japan, at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Analysis: As Qatar World Cup unfolds, planet keeps spinning

Tourney has shown keeping the world out of sport is well nigh impossible

FILE - Players from Germany pose for the team photo as they cover their mouth during the World Cup group E soccer match between Germany and Japan, at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Canada’s Alphonso Davies scores his side’s opening goal during the World Cup group F soccer match between Croatia and Canada, at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Themba Hadebe

Having scored at the World Cup, Canadian men now look to get one final result

Davies tally removed Canada from the list of World Cup participants yet to score

Canada’s Alphonso Davies scores his side’s opening goal during the World Cup group F soccer match between Croatia and Canada, at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Themba Hadebe