Canadian Ice Maples close out World Tour season with silver in the men's 5,000m relay
Canadian Ice Maples close out World Tour season with silver in the men's 5,000m relay
5 minutes ago
Duration 14:59
Sports
Duration 14:59
Canada's men's 5,000m relay team won the silver medal in the final race of the ISU Short Track World Tour finale in Milan, Italy.
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Winnipeg Free Press
32 minutes ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
It's time: Countdown clocks signal kickoff of 2026 FIFA World Cup is one year away
The one-year countdown to the 2026 World Cup starts Wednesday, with clocks to be unveiled to mark the occasion in Toronto, Vancouver and Niagara Falls. Toronto and Vancouver are World Cup host cities. Niagara Falls offers a world-class backdrop for a reminder that FIFA's expanded 48-team soccer showcase is just around the corner. There are more milestones to come in Canada, with a call for some 7,000 volunteers to be issued in August, ticket sales starting in September and the tournament draw in December. Adidas has yet to unveil the match ball. Tournament mascots will also be introduced. The tournament's official poster will join those of the 16 host cities. And the World Cup trophy is scheduled to make an appearance in Ottawa on Canada Day. The World Cup kicks off June 11, 2026, with games in Mexico City and Guadalajara. On June 12, the focus switches to matches in Toronto and Los Angeles. The final is set for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. 'It's nine years so far on this project,' said Peter Montopoli, chief tournament officer for Canada. 'This marathon is now at one year out, turned into a sprint. I think that's the part we really enjoy. For the people who love to run events, this is the part that really excites them. This is where all the magic happens in the last year. 'So it's exciting. It's an exciting time to be running the event, it's an exciting time for FIFA and it's an exciting time for our country.' In all, there will be 104 games, with 13 each in Canada and Mexico and the remaining 78 in the U.S. The last seven editions of the tournament featured 32 teams and 64 games. In addition to co-hosts Canada, Mexico and the U.S., Japan, Iran, Japan, Jordan, South Korea and Uzbekistan have already qualified from Asia, along with New Zealand from Oceania and defending champion Argentina from South America (CONMEBOL). It will be a first World Cup appearance for both Jordan and Uzbekistan. On Wednesday, the two Canadian host cities will also release anniversary videos with actor Will Arnett featured in Toronto's and former Canada goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc in Vancouver's. Canadians will be able to apply for tickets two ways — through the FIFA lottery (assuming FIFA follows past practices) and via membership in Canada Soccer's Canada Red program, which will distribute the ticket allotment for Canada matches. 'There's different ways to purchase (tickets),' said Montopoli. 'If you want to get in early, you go in the fall.' Montopoli said there is no word yet on ticket pricing. While the full match schedule won't be known until the draw, Canada will open in Toronto and then play its remaining group games in Vancouver. Toronto and Vancouver will each host five opening-round matches plus a round-of-32 knockout match. Vancouver will also stage a round-of-16 game. Canada Soccer is revamping its existing Canada Red membership program, expanding it from the current three tiers (the first free and the other two at a cost of $50 and $150 annually) to seven levels (from free to $5,000 annually). Each tier provides access to Canada Soccer's ticketing allotment lottery for games featuring the Canadian men — the higher the tier, the higher the chances of securing tickets. FIFA traditionally reserves a portion of each World Cup game's tickets for fans from the countries involved. This is Canada's method of distributing them. Canada Soccer also used a Canada Red tiered approach for tickets for Canada's games at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Each of the seven Canada Red tiers will be allotted some 14 percent of Canada Soccer's ticket pool. But Canada Red members in the top tiers will have the best chance to access tickets as they will have access to the first draw and each subsequent draw afterwards. Canada Red, the new version of which launches in late July, 'directly supports' the Canada Soccer Foundation, according to Canada Soccer. While the clock counts down, the City of Toronto is still looking for funds to help pay for its end of the tournament, arguing that it is having to dig deeper into its pocket because the cost of providing services related to public transport, policing and hospitals, among others, has increased to almost $40 million in total — reducing the provincial cash contribution and adding to the city's bill. The cost of hosting six games in Toronto has been pegged at $380 million, with the federal government contributing $104 million and Ontario, including services, $97 million. Toronto's tab is $178.7 million (47 percent of the total cost). A ring of permanent suites is under construction at B.C. Place Stadium. BMO Field will get an additional 17,750 seats, bringing total capacity to around 45,735 seats, with the north and south ends expanded. Two of four new video screens are now working at BMO Field, which is also getting new suites. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. FIFA will take over the tournament stadiums 30 days before the first game there, which would mean May 13 for Toronto and May 14 for Vancouver. The tournament office in Toronto, already up and running, will have 82 full-time staff — it's currently around 70 — with most getting an early taste of tournament work via the FIFA Club World Cup, which kicks off later this month in the U.S. The Vancouver office opens next Tuesday ahead of the CONCACAF Gold Cup. 'We know what we need to do to execute,' Montopoli said of tournament preparation. 'So we feel very comfortable in where we stand today. There's always little nuances that can happen, but as of today — one year out — we're exactly where we felt we needed to be to position ourselves for success.' — This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 10, 2025
Global News
an hour ago
- Global News
Hardcore Oilers fans go to great lengths to watch games, support team in Stanley Cup final
When an orange wave of Oilers fans in Edmonton head toward the downtown core on game nights during the NHL playoffs, an ocean away in Akureyri, Iceland, Pavel Viking Landa says he makes his own way to his man cave in the dead of night. The extreme Oilers fan says he can't stop himself from turning on his TV in the room, where hockey jerseys hang on the wall, and watching the games, even if it goes until 4 a.m. his time. 'My family don't like it, I watch deep in the night because I'm waking them up by screaming, 'Let's go,'' said the 42-year-old in an interview from the Nordic island. Landa was in Edmonton last week to watch the Oilers take on the Florida Panthers in Games 1 and 2 of the Stanley Cup final. Story continues below advertisement 'I thought for a little while I'm going to lose my hearing because of fans cheering,' he said. 'It was unbelievable.' 1:59 Canada's team? Canadians rallying behind Oilers in Stanley Cup final But he has since returned to his home to watch the remainder of the series in Iceland, with the next game scheduled for Wednesday in Sunrise, Fla. Landa said he has been making the two-day journey from Iceland to Edmonton every year to watch the Oilers play since 2015. Landa, who works in construction, said that's the year he fell in love with the team. 'I met a Canadian guy from Edmonton in a bar here. We started chatting. Life is funny,' said Landa. 'He said, 'You should come' … and within two months I was in Edmonton first time for hockey.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "He said, 'You should come' … and within two months I was in Edmonton first time for hockey." Story continues below advertisement He said he went directly from the airport to the former Edmonton Oilers arena known as Rexall Place to watch the Oilers, including his favourite player at the time, Ales Hemsky, take on the Vancouver Canucks 'It's a really nice memory and, I think the Oilers won 5-4 then,' he said. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy However, Landa said it's not the win that has kept him coming back to Edmonton every year. It's the fans. 'It really surprised me how (fans) get really, really loud. I got goosebumps,' he said about the 2015 game. 'The general atmosphere, the general feeling on the streets, everybody's happy. Everybody's high-fiving.' He said Oilers fans are unlike others. Story continues below advertisement 'I went to a couple of games outside of Canada. I don't think they go to the hockey games for hockey. They think it's like, 'Ah, I have a date. I go to cinema, or hockey,'' Landa said. 'In Edmonton, you can see that the people are interested in the game.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "In Edmonton, you can see that the people are interested in the game." He said the only year he didn't visit Edmonton was last year. And that's because it was easier to go to Florida and watch Game 7 of the NHL final that saw the Oilers fall one game short of a comeback for the ages. After winning three games in a row to tie the final series, the Oilers dropped the deciding Game 7 to the Panthers by a score of 2-1. 2:14 Pride, heartbreak after Oilers lose Stanley Cup Final 'I'm not ashamed of it. I shed tears,' Landa said. Story continues below advertisement 'I was really sad, but not angry. I was sad because it was set up to be a really good story.' View image in full screen Fans show their support for the Edmonton Oilers before they take on the Florida Panthers in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup final in Sunrise, Fla., on Monday, June 9, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette He said he believes the Canadian team will win the Cup in Game 5. Landa isn't the only one who goes on long journeys to watch the Oilers. Kevin Follett, a 49-year-old heavy equipment operator from Fort McMurray, Alta., says since last year, he has been driving 430 kilometres south to catch every playoff game in Edmonton. View image in full screen Kevin Follett, of Fort McMurray, poses in the 'Moss Pit' outside of Rogers Place ahead of Game 2 of the Stanley Cup final between the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers in Edmonton on Friday, June 6, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fakiha Baig 'I love hockey in general and now that we've got the two best superstars in the world, how can you not come down here and miss this?' he said, referring to Oilers captain Connor McDavid and forward Leon Draisaitl. Story continues below advertisement 'You've got to be part of it. This is history.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "You've got to be part of it. This is history." But before he gets to the game, he spends two hours getting ready. His wife paints him in blue and orange, and puts a wig on him as he pre-drinks. 'My (daughters) like it when I get dressed up,' he said. 'I get too excited. I'm not shy.' He also carries a five-gallon pail resembling the Stanley Cup at the games. He said he made 20 of them by stacking a bowl on top of a trash can and sold them to crazy fans at Edmonton's Moss Pit in the city's Ice District. Among the people seen regularly leading cheers at the Pit with Follett is William Blaise. The 19-year-old also paints himself in orange and blue before every game. He also wears a hard hat and overalls. 'We paint up every single game to look like oil rig workers. Alberta is known for oil,' Blaise said. 'I love the Oilers because this is oil country. We work hard and we play hard.' Story continues below advertisement
Toronto Sun
2 hours ago
- Toronto Sun
With a year to go, FIFA World Cup countdown begins for ambitious host Canadians
'This is exactly what we wanted out of this calendar year ... To try to get as many opponents that will challenge who we are, what we do.' Get the latest from Rob Longley straight to your inbox Canada's Alistair Johnston, left, and Argentina's Alexis Mac Allister battle for the ball during a Copa America semifinal match in 2024. AP Photo Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. It was for too early for a dress rehearsal and, with the main course still 12 months away, not yet appetizer time, either. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account But when Canada's men's national team convincingly defeated Ukraine 4-2 at BMO Field this past weekend, it certainly was an opportunity to unofficially launch the build to what by any measure will be the biggest year for elite soccer in this country. One year from Wednesday, the largest FIFA World Cup in history will kick off with a pair of games in Mexico. The following night, the other two host nations — Canada and the United States — lift the curtain fully with games on their own respective soil. For coach Jesse Marsch's Canadian side, the debut in the world's most-watched sporting spectacle begins with a Toronto date against a yet-to-be-determined opponent. An automatic qualifier as one of the three host nations, Canada's second consecutive World Cup appearance — and just third overall — the opportunity to advance (and win a game for the first time in the event's history) is a tantalizing possibility. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. While a year may seem far in the distance with plenty of construction left to be done both at BMO Field and its surroundings, and considerable building to take place on Marsch's ambitious roster, the host squad's win to kick off the four-team Canadian Shield held some palpable significance. 'The final destination, which is the World Cup, is what is important,' Canadian midfielder Stephen Eustaquio said following Saturday's convincing triumph over the European visitors. 'The games from now on are going to be very tough. We have strong opponents coming up. We're going to be in Europe. We're going to play in the States. 'Basically this was a very good test for next year.' While still a glorified friendly, the 4-2 win over Ukraine — a team positioned five spots ahead of them at No. 25 in the latest FIFA world rankings — certainly was an opportunity for Canada to take their first strides at forging an identity. Marsch made it clear that preparations over the next 12 months will be critical in establishing a style that will stand up against opponents from different corners of the globe. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The opposition in the Shield, a four-game glorified friendly (two for each participating country) dressed up as a tournament, were meant to replicate the diversity in style the Canadians are likely to face 12 months from now. 'This is exactly what we wanted out of this calendar year and this tournament,' Marsch said. 'To try to get as many opponents that will challenge who we are, what we do. You can grow from these situations. 'We all play a lot of matches against opponents in our region. But looking ahead to the World Cup, it's now imagining types of opponents you could be getting from all around the world and what those games feel like, what those opponents play like, the tactical nuances. For our players to experience what it is like to play in these types of games is important for our overall development.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Even with the low stakes and a roster injected with a handful of players light on international experience, some observers referred to Canada's opener as a statement win. It was the first time in the relatively short Marsch coaching era that the team had scored four times in a game and it was Canada's first victory over a European foe since 2011. In the second match on Tuesday, Canada faces Ivory Coast. The competitive intensity will ramp up later this month against more familiar competition when Canada competes (and will hope for a deep run) in the CONCACAF Gold Cup. In group play, Marsch's squad will face No. 75 Honduras on June 18 at BC Place then shift to Houston for games against No. 90 Curacao on June 21 and three days later facing No. 81 El Salvador. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The Canadian Shield may not have a 'championship' game, but it was an ideal environment for Marsch to get an early feel for his talent and to get the year-long roster-building process started. 'The challenge was to see (whether we) could understand our roles and could we commit to all the ideas of what we're trying to establish and who we are as a team and deliver a kind of performance that we could be proud of,' Marsch said of the win over Ukraine before a BMO Stadium crowd of 20,145. 'And I think we did that. 'There's big competition for spots and guys are going to have to show that they're adapting and that they're ready.' With the 12-month countdown now under way, here's a look at what awaits in the buildup to the global sporting spectacle. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The expanded Cup configuration bumps the field to a record 48 teams (16 more than in Qatar 2022) which means there will be a whopping 104 matches played (40 more than the previous time) over the six weeks it will take to crown a champion. For the initial action, there will be 12 groups of four countries with the top two from each advancing, as well as the eight best third-place teams. From there, it's elimination games all the way to the final. That means the last two countries standing will have played eight matches when they're done — three in the group stage and five high-intensity knockout contests. Once the field and schedule is set, FIFA intends to make it as easy as possible for fans to navigate the distance between venues by trying to keep groups in a cluster of geographically handy cities. Canada, of course, is an exception, going from Toronto to Vancouver. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. With three days between matches, fans will have the opportunity to travel and players will have plenty of time to recover. Also of note: It's the first time in World Cup history that there will be three host nations. PLAYED IN CANADA There will be 13 matches contested in Canada — seven in Vancouver and six in Toronto. While Toronto gets the historic debut for Canada's opener, Vancouver's BC Place will be home for its second and third group play matches on June 18 and 24, respectively. The Canadian venues each also will have a Round of 32 knockout contest and Vancouver, with its greater seating capacity, also getting a Round of 16 date. Construction at BMO Field will bump the capacity to 45,000 for its Cup dates while BC Place has room for 54,000 spectators. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. As an added bonus for Vancouver, if Canada wins its group, it would stay in the city and (cart way ahead of horse here, given it has never won a World Cup game) should it advance, Marsch's squad would also play the Round of 16 match on home soil. OTHER VENUES There will be 16 stadiums in use, including the two Canadian sites and three in Mexico, which will also play host to 13 contests. The tournament opener takes place at Mexico's historic Azteca Stadium which will become the first facility to have three World Cups contested on its famed turf. That leaves 11 U.S. venues, all of them vast structures that serve as home fields for NFL teams. The semifinals will be played in Dallas (on July 14) and Atlanta on July 15. The Cup final will take place on July 19 at MetLife Stadium, better know as the home to both the New York Giants and Jets. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. While most of the qualifying action will take place in the coming months, 10 nations are already in, starting with the three host countries. The others: Japan, Iran, Uzbekistan, South Korea and Jordan from the Asian conference, New Zealand from Oceania and the defending champions, Argentina (South America), round out that group. Various regions are at different stages in qualifying with dozens of games being played around the globe this week while Canada gets to take advantage of the latest international window in a less stressful way. Europe (UEFA) will qualify the most entrants with 16 direct spots awarded to that region. IMPORTANT DATES June 14 through July 6 – The CONCACAF Gold Cup, an important competitive prep for Canada, will be played in Vancouver and at several U.S. venues. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Sept. 1-9 – The first of three international windows in which key late qualifying action will take place. Oct. 6-14 and Nov. 10-18 are the others. December – At a yet-to-be-specified date, the pageantry and drama of the World Cup draw will take place, determining all 12 groups and establishing the degree of difficulty Canada will have to advance out of that stage. March 23-31, 2026 – The final qualifying stage. June 1-19, 2026 – Another international window in which teams will congregate for pre-Cup training and will arrive in North America for pre-Cup training. June 11, 2026 – Mexico will open the action at its massive stadium in Mexico City. June 12, 2026 – The first World Cup match played on Canadian soil will take place at BMO Field when Canada opens group play against a yet-to-be-determined opponent. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. July 19, 2026 – The World Cup final will be contested at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Read More CANADA CONTENT Much of Canada's early preparations for the World Cup will be done without it's standout superstar, Alphonso Davies, who is recovering from knee surgery in March. Davies will miss all of summer action but plans to return to Bayern Munich after the expected six-month recovery period, giving him plenty of time to prepare and be healthy to captain Canada. As for the others, the continued growth and world-class form of Jonathan David resulted in a pair of goals against Ukraine while Tajon Buchanan set up both of those and scored one on his own. With time on his side, the Canadian Shield gave Marsch the opportunity to both get an early look at some players light on national experience, but also to establish a mindset and course of attack. 'These friendlies are meant to try new guys to see who is ready,' David said following the Ukraine win. 'Obviously it's something to build on.' And more importantly from the coach's view: Setting the tone and style he'd like to see in place a year down the road. 'Understanding our roles, being disciplined to everything we are creating internally is the most important thing,' Marsch said. Toronto Blue Jays World Editorial Cartoons Movies Olympics
