Latest news with #CanadianShieldTournament
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
New international soccer tournament coming to Toronto ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup
Four countries are bringing their national soccer teams to Toronto this weekend for the final major tournament the city will host before it takes on several World Cup games next year. The Canadian Shield Tournament kicks off at BMO Field on Saturday and features four national men's soccer teams — Canada, Ukraine, New Zealand and Ivory Coast. The tournament is meant to prepare the teams for next year's FIFA World Cup, according to Canada Soccer. Canada's head coach Jesse Marsch said his team is excited for the challenge that comes with taking on these strong opponents. "It's a chance for all of us to competitively make sure that our teams are making steps forward and it will be, I think, a great experience for the fans [in] anticipation of what the World Cup will be next summer," Marsch said at a news conference on Friday. Canada's team is also set to receive a new addition, as Toronto FC's captain Jonathan Osorio will be joining their roster, according to a Canada Soccer news release Thursday. The inaugural match takes place Saturday at 3:30 p.m., with Canada facing off against Ukraine. The second match of the day will be played between New Zealand and Ivory Coast. The rest of the matches will take place on Tuesday. "We are fixed now on the very difficult match we have tomorrow, but looking ahead to Tuesday, we know that we will need to use a real breadth of our squad for both matches because both will be physically demanding and also tactically demanding," Marsch said. The tournament is a chance for soccer fans to watch some of the best players from around the world battle it out, but it's also an opportunity for the city to show its ability to run a major tournament — and manage any potential challenges that may come with it — before hosting six World Cup games next year. Fans attending this weekend's matches will get an early look at the almost $150-million upgrade BMO Field is set to receive ahead of the World Cup. Upgrades are already underway, and will ultimately include new video boards, luxury boxes and a rooftop patio. Temporary seating is also being added, increasing the stadium's capacity from close to 30,000 to 45,000, and bringing it up to FIFA World Cup standards. The current phase of renovations ends in August, with the second phase beginning in December and ending ahead of the first World Cup match next June. The city, which owns the field, and Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment, which manages it, are spending $123 million and $23 million respectively on the renovations. In 2022, FIFA awarded Toronto the right to host five first round games plus one playoff round match for the 2026 tournament. However, the city originally anticipated it would host just five World Cup matches, at an estimated cost of $300 million. The cost has since climbed to $380 million, about $200 million of which is being provided by the federal and provincial governments. Now the city is clamping down on FIFA spending unless it can find savings on its hosting duties or secure more money from other levels of government. WATCH | City, province in funding dispute as Toronto preps for 2026 World Cup: Last month, city councillors said they will hold off on major procurements or any large contracts that would push the cost over $340 million. Mayor Olivia Chow has said that's meant to address a $40-million shortfall created because a substantial amount of funding pledged by the province will be used up for various services, not all of which the city needs. The provincial government has said its total investment of $97 million remains unchanged, but Premier Doug Ford said Friday that the province will sit down with the city to discuss what can be done. "I looked at the numbers just briefly, but the security's pretty heavy there. The numbers I saw — like, it's massive. That's taking a big chunk out of it. So let's take a look at it," he said at a news conference on Friday.
Edmonton Journal
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Edmonton Journal
Canada men's soccer coach Jesse Marsch bothered by U.S. treatment of Ukraine
Article content 'As an American, the treatment that we have given the president of Ukraine and the lack of respect really bothers me,' he said. There was a contentious White House meeting in late February when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was belittled by Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance. Trump has also lumped Ukraine and Russia together as aggressors when Ukraine was invaded by Russia in February 2022. Canada hosts Ukraine on Saturday in the opening game of the inaugural Canadian Shield Tournament at Toronto's BMO Field. New Zealand and Ivory Coast are also taking part. 'Without having to know what it's like to go through something like what players, this coach, this federation has been through, I am just really excited to be able to show our support, as the Canadian national team coach, to show how much we are behind them, that we are with them, that we want to do everything we can,' Marsch told the breakfast. The 51-year-old Marsch, a former U.S. international who was born in Racine, Wisc., said in February he was 'ashamed of the arrogance and disregard that we've shown one of our historically oldest, strongest and most loyal allies (in Canada).' The Canada Ukraine Foundation has raised more than $1 million at its fundraising breakfasts over the last three years. A ball autographed by Andriy Shevchenko, president of the Ukrainian Association of Football, was auctioned off for $10,000 Friday after the former Ukraine star striker took part in a question-and-answer session.
Winnipeg Free Press
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Toronto FC captain Jonathan Osorio added to Canada roster for Canadian Shield
TORONTO – Canada has called Toronto FC captain Jonathan Osorio into camp for the Canadian Shield Tournament. The 32-year-old midfielder was sidelined with a shoulder injury April 30 in a Canadian Championship loss to CF Montreal, returning May 24 off the bench in an MLS game against Nashville SC. Osorio has made two starts since. Canada coach Jesse Marsch had initially opted to leave Osorio off the Canadian Shield roster, calling him up instead for the CONCACAF Gold Cup later this month. But now the veteran, who has won 84 caps for Canada, is back in the fold. The 30th-ranked Canadian men host No. 25 Ukraine on Saturday before facing No. 41 Ivory Coast on Tuesday. No. 86 New Zealand is also taking part in the tournament. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. — This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 6, 2025
Hamilton Spectator
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Canada men's soccer coach Jesse Marsch bothered by U.S. treatment of Ukraine
TORONTO - Canada soccer coach Jesse Marsch, an American who won kudos north of the border earlier this year for telling U.S. President Donald Trump to 'lay off the ridiculous rhetoric' about Canada being a 51st state, has taken aim at the U.S. president again. In a speech to a Canada-Ukraine Foundation breakfast Friday, Marsch made mention of the recent U.S. attitude towards Ukraine. 'As an American, the treatment that we have given the president of Ukraine and the lack of respect really bothers me,' he said. There was a contentious White House meeting in late February when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was belittled by Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance. Trump has also lumped Ukraine and Russia together as aggressors when Ukraine was invaded by Russia in February 2022. Canada hosts Ukraine on Saturday in the opening game of the inaugural Canadian Shield Tournament at Toronto's BMO Field. New Zealand and Ivory Coast are also taking part. 'Without having to know what it's like to go through something like what players, this coach, this federation has been through, I am just really excited to be able to show our support, as the Canadian national team coach, to show how much we are behind them, that we are with them, that we want to do everything we can,' Marsch told the breakfast. The 51-year-old Marsch, a former U.S. international who was born in Racine, Wisc., said in February he was 'ashamed of the arrogance and disregard that we've shown one of our historically oldest, strongest and most loyal allies (in Canada).' The Canada Ukraine Foundation has raised more than $1 million at its fundraising breakfasts over the last three years. A ball autographed by Andriy Shevchenko, president of the Ukrainian Association of Football, was auctioned off for $10,000 Friday after the former Ukraine star striker took part in a question-and-answer session. —- This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 6, 2025
Winnipeg Free Press
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Canada men's soccer coach Jesse Marsch bothered by U.S. treatment of Ukraine
TORONTO – Canada soccer coach Jesse Marsch, an American who won kudos north of the border earlier this year for telling U.S. President Donald Trump to 'lay off the ridiculous rhetoric' about Canada being a 51st state, has taken aim at the U.S. president again. In a speech to a Canada-Ukraine Foundation breakfast Friday, Marsch made mention of the recent U.S. attitude towards Ukraine. 'As an American, the treatment that we have given the president of Ukraine and the lack of respect really bothers me,' he said. There was a contentious White House meeting in late February when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was belittled by Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance. Trump has also lumped Ukraine and Russia together as aggressors when Ukraine was invaded by Russia in February 2022. Canada hosts Ukraine on Saturday in the opening game of the inaugural Canadian Shield Tournament at Toronto's BMO Field. New Zealand and Ivory Coast are also taking part. 'Without having to know what it's like to go through something like what players, this coach, this federation has been through, I am just really excited to be able to show our support, as the Canadian national team coach, to show how much we are behind them, that we are with them, that we want to do everything we can,' Marsch told the breakfast. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. The 51-year-old Marsch, a former U.S. international who was born in Racine, Wisc., said in February he was 'ashamed of the arrogance and disregard that we've shown one of our historically oldest, strongest and most loyal allies (in Canada).' The Canada Ukraine Foundation has raised more than $1 million at its fundraising breakfasts over the last three years. A ball autographed by Andriy Shevchenko, president of the Ukrainian Association of Football, was auctioned off for $10,000 Friday after the former Ukraine star striker took part in a question-and-answer session. — This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 6, 2025
