soccer

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)
Canadian soccer star Christine Sinclair autographs a fan’s ball at a World Cup watch party in Toronto on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. Sinclair is serving as an adviser to Project 8 Sports Inc., a new pro women’s soccer league planned to kick off in Canada in 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn McAdorey

Countdown to Kickoff: Matheson outlines plans for new pro women’s soccer league

Vancouver Whitecaps and Calgary Foothills 2 of the founding clubs in the 8-team league

Canadian soccer star Christine Sinclair autographs a fan’s ball at a World Cup watch party in Toronto on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. Sinclair is serving as an adviser to Project 8 Sports Inc., a new pro women’s soccer league planned to kick off in Canada in 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn McAdorey
Vancouver Whitecaps general manager of women’s soccer Stephanie Labbe, former Canadian women’s national soccer team goalkeeper, attends a news conference after she was named to the position, in Vancouver, B.C., Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022. The Vancouver Whitecaps announced Monday that it will be home to one of two founding teams when a new professional women’s soccer eight-team league begins in 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Vancouver, Calgary first teams announced in new women’s pro soccer league

League will operate countrywide across two conferences, with four teams in each conference

Vancouver Whitecaps general manager of women’s soccer Stephanie Labbe, former Canadian women’s national soccer team goalkeeper, attends a news conference after she was named to the position, in Vancouver, B.C., Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022. The Vancouver Whitecaps announced Monday that it will be home to one of two founding teams when a new professional women’s soccer eight-team league begins in 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
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
John Jepson, second from left in the back, helped Carihi Secondary to combined eight AA Island Soccer championships at both boys and girls levels. File Photo Campbell River Mirror

Veteran Island soccer coach expects men’s World Cup run to make impact like women’s did

Carihi’s John Jepson has been an influential steward of the game in Campbell River

John Jepson, second from left in the back, helped Carihi Secondary to combined eight AA Island Soccer championships at both boys and girls levels. File Photo Campbell River Mirror
Canada fans cheer ahead of Group F World Cup soccer action between Canada and Belgium at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. Watch parties are planned across the country today as soccer fans gear up to watch Canada’s second World Cup matchup against Croatia — a do-or-die game for the team in its first tournament appearance in 36 years. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Canada fans cheer ahead of Group F World Cup soccer action between Canada and Belgium at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. Watch parties are planned across the country today as soccer fans gear up to watch Canada’s second World Cup matchup against Croatia — a do-or-die game for the team in its first tournament appearance in 36 years. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Canada defender Kamal Miller (4) dives to defend as Croatia defender Josip Juranovic (22) plays the ball during first half group F World Cup soccer action at the Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar on Sunday, November 27, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Canada defender Kamal Miller (4) dives to defend as Croatia defender Josip Juranovic (22) plays the ball during first half group F World Cup soccer action at the Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar on Sunday, November 27, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
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. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

QUIZ: How much do you know about world cup soccer?

Soccer is enjoyed around the world and is played by people of all ages

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. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
Croatia soccer fans react during a live screening of the 2018 FIFA World Cup final between France and Croatia, in Our Lady Queen-Croatia park in Mississauga, Ont. on Sunday, July 15, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov

Croatian Canadians set to cheer on favourites as Canada plays Croatia at World Cup

Meet a group of Canadians who won’t be wearing the maple leaf on Sunday

Croatia soccer fans react during a live screening of the 2018 FIFA World Cup final between France and Croatia, in Our Lady Queen-Croatia park in Mississauga, Ont. on Sunday, July 15, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov
People take photos with the official FIFA World Cup Countdown Clock on Doha’s corniche, in Qatar, Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. Carrie Serwetnyk, the first woman inducted into the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame, is in Qatar for the 2022 World Cup and says the tournament is “still trying to find its joy.” THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Nariman El-Mofty

LGBTQ and other rights issues at World Cup a ‘huge blemish’ on FIFA: Hall of Famer

‘I also think the Middle East deserves a World Cup’: Serwetnyk

People take photos with the official FIFA World Cup Countdown Clock on Doha’s corniche, in Qatar, Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. Carrie Serwetnyk, the first woman inducted into the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame, is in Qatar for the 2022 World Cup and says the tournament is “still trying to find its joy.” THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Nariman El-Mofty
Canada forward Alphonso Davies, left, kicks the ball as teammate Tajon Buchanan, centre, watches during practice at the World Cup in Doha, Qatar, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Fans inspired despite Canadian loss in first World Cup appearance since 1986

Those gathered at watch parties across the country said they were inspired by the team’s performance

Canada forward Alphonso Davies, left, kicks the ball as teammate Tajon Buchanan, centre, watches during practice at the World Cup in Doha, Qatar, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Canada forward Cyle Larin (17) loses the ball to Belgium defender Jan Vertonghen (5) during second half Group F World Cup soccer action at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Canada forward Cyle Larin (17) loses the ball to Belgium defender Jan Vertonghen (5) during second half Group F World Cup soccer action at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Canada forward Alphonso Davies eyes the ball during practice at the World Cup in Doha, Qatar, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Canadians ready for today’s World Cup game against Belgium — first match since 1986

Canada returns to world soccer stage for the first time since 1986

Canada forward Alphonso Davies eyes the ball during practice at the World Cup in Doha, Qatar, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Aldergrove’s Joel Waterman became the first player from Langley-based Trinity Western University to win a spot on the national team training camp. On Nov. 13, he was named to the Canadian team that will compete at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. (TWU file image)

VIDEO: B.C.’s Joel Waterman is playing for Canada at the World Cup

Fulfilment of life-long dream for 26-year-old from Aldergrove

Aldergrove’s Joel Waterman became the first player from Langley-based Trinity Western University to win a spot on the national team training camp. On Nov. 13, he was named to the Canadian team that will compete at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. (TWU file image)
Ecuador celebrates their opening goal by Enner Valencia during the World Cup, group A soccer match between Qatar and Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

World Cup Viewer’s Guide: Davies to play in Canada’s return

Canada opens Wednesday as a heavy underdog against Belgium

Ecuador celebrates their opening goal by Enner Valencia during the World Cup, group A soccer match between Qatar and Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
FILE - England’s Harry Kane wears a rainbow armband as he takes the knee prior to the Euro 2020 soccer championship round of 16 match between England and Germany at Wembley Stadium in England. The captains of seven European nations will not wear anti-discrimination armbands in World Cup games after threats from FIFA to show yellow cards to the players. The seven soccer federations say “we can’t put our players in a position where they could face sporting sanctions.” (Justin Tallis, Pool Photo via AP)

World Cup teams won’t wear armbands seen as rebuke to Qatar

FIFA warned violators would be immediately shown yellow cards for human rights protest

FILE - England’s Harry Kane wears a rainbow armband as he takes the knee prior to the Euro 2020 soccer championship round of 16 match between England and Germany at Wembley Stadium in England. The captains of seven European nations will not wear anti-discrimination armbands in World Cup games after threats from FIFA to show yellow cards to the players. The seven soccer federations say “we can’t put our players in a position where they could face sporting sanctions.” (Justin Tallis, Pool Photo via AP)