World Cup may inspire young locals to play soccer

I know hockey is the number one game in Canada, but the FIFA World Cup is here again. The competition started on Nov. 22, and the competition thus far has been incredible. It’s so great at the start when every country still has a chance to win. The World Cup seems to bring people together, even those who don’t usually have an interest in soccer.

The first official World Cup started back in 1930, in Uruguay, when the host team beat Argentina 4-2. This year there are 32 countries taking part, for once something the world does together. And for fans, there is so much anticipation and so much preparation — where to watch the game, what top to wear, working out what’s needed to get to the next round, all that even before you actually watch the games.

Each team carries with it the pride of the country they represent. It must be so great to stand, listening to our national anthem with all the fans singing and waiting for you to win. A bit scary, too.

Each team player takes to the pitch accompanied by a child. This started back at the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan, when FIFA and UNICEF collaborated on a campaign called ‘Say Yes to Children,’ to promote and protect the rights of all children to healthy recreation and quality primary education. According to a Unicef press statement, “Children are being given a prime role at each match, accompanying each player onto the pitch in a symbolic action reminding soccer enthusiasts that they have a major role to play in building a world fit for children.”

Canada last got to the World Cup in 1986, when it was played in Mexico, and more recently this year in Qatar. Canada has waited 36 years for another World Cup game, and Alphonso Davies delivered the first goal ever by a men’s team from this country. And although Canada is out of the next round, we still cheered them in their game against Morocco on Thursday, when they lost 2-1, scoring a total of two goals in the World Cup.

I love the music that surrounds the World Cup. My personal favourite is Wavin’ Flag by K’naan, which was chosen as Coca Cola’s promotional anthem for South Africa’s 2010 FIFA World Cup. This year the official soundtrack for FIFA 2022 is Hayya Hayya (Better Together). Have a listen.

The video game FIFA 22 was also just recently released, so that can be something to play as you wait for the next World Cup in 2026. 

We are now in the knockout stages. That’s my favourite part, when it’s win or lose for the teams and you’re constantly on the edge of your seat because anything could happen. The top two teams from each of the eight groups advanced to the knockout stage, which begins the round with 16. The final will take place Dec. 18, with the third-place match scheduled for the day before.

When I first came to Canada about 10 years ago, I joined local soccer clubs and had lots of fun over the summers playing soccer. The number of children interested in playing this sport seems to have waned over the years. In 2021, there were no leagues to play over the summer at all, in St. Catharines, Niagara Falls or Niagara-on-the-Lake.

I am hoping the World Cup will bring about an increased interest in soccer, with returning and new players to the game.

I recently asked Mike Balsom, a volunteer with the NOTL Soccer Club, about Canada’s World Cup journey and what it might mean for local interest in the sport.

He said the fact that Canada fielded an exciting young team this year that qualified for the first men’s World Cup in almost 40 years, was inspiring. And despite the team going winless, their performance, especially in their first game against Belgium, was very impressive.

For young soccer players in this country, it’s important to see Canada have success on the world stage, he said.

Our national women’s team has had success for many years, “so it is great to see the men’s program break onto the world stage finally,” he added. “Every World Cup year seems to get young soccer players talking about the competition, but with players they can relate to, who hail from nearby places such as Oakville and Richmond Hill, it will certainly help to generate interest and excitement in the sport.” 

He can’t wait to see how Team Canada does moving forward to the 2026 World Cup — all eyes will be on coach John Herdman and this team.

“It’s important that they can keep the momentum going, and do whatever work it takes to move past pool play in the next tournament.”

After all, Canada will be co-hosting World Cup games that year, with Mexico and the U.S., “so the pressure will be on to perform well in front of the hometown crowds.” 

He went on to say there’s never been a lack of interest in the sport here in NOTL. “Before the pandemic, we consistently would have approximately 400 kids playing in town. Our focus has always been on development and house league competition, following the guidelines set out by the Ontario Soccer Association, while offering competitive travel soccer opportunities at various age groups when there is enough interest and available coaches.”

Locally, he added, the 2022 season was a great return to play for the NOTL Soccer Club after all the COVID-19 restrictions.

Next year, “we plan on offering house league play from U4 all the way to U17 again, as well as travel options at certain age groups.”

Online registration will open early in the new year, he said.

With the World Cup quarter-finals coming up this Friday, your team may or may not have been eliminated, but if they haven’t I wish them good luck in their upcoming game.

Unless you cheer for France, in which case, since I’m an England fan, GO ENGLAND!

Ben Foster is a Grade 11 Eden High School student doing a co-op placement with The Local.