The Lethbridge College Kodiaks soccer team is excited to see Canada compete in the Qatar World Cup. Photo by Kevin Castro Guillin.
Canada soccer team has made it to the Qatar World Cup after 36 years after appearing in Mexico in 1986
Soccer influence has been increasing in Canada, opening the doors to new teams and players.
Now Canada has been showcase in the world of soccer which is led by the European league.
Right now, the most known Canadian soccer player is Alphonso Davies, player at the Bayern Munich after he played for the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Davies is now part of the Canadian team and the first Canadian to win the EUFA Champions League.
Davies will represent Canada with the number 19 in his Jersey.
Lethbridge College soccer player Keegan Bolton says that he’s exiting because Canada has made it to the World Cup.
“I think Canada soccer is going a long way. It starts with Alphonso Davies, and now finally Canada is in the World Cup,” says Bolton.
Bolton says that all athletes look forward for Canadian such Alphonso Davies. “We look up to this Canadians for guidance. We look at them as motivation and that’s what starts everyone careers looking up to this guys that are at the biggest levels.”
Canada is in group F in the world cup, where Canada will play against Croatia, the strongest team in group F with players such as Luka Modric who plays for the Real Madrid from Spain.
Modric was awarded the ‘Best FIFA men’s player’ in 2018- and seven-times winner of the player of the year and in 2018 he receives the Ballon D’or, the biggest solo recognition putting the player as one of the best soccer players in the world.
“I think is going to be a good game, obviously I think Croatia is a very good team, but the determination and drive for Canadians and all of us Canadians have their backs in the World Cup, I think we can beat them personally,” said Bolton about Canada against Croatia.
Croatia won second place in the 2018 World Cup against France, where the result was 4 -2 with France beating Croatia.
Qatar is possibly the last World Cup for many of the best soccer players in the world and Canada now has the opportunity to play against them.
Lionel Messi from Argentina and Cristiano Ronaldo from Portugal are some players that will face the world one last time.
Daniel Okpala soccer player and student at the Lethbridge College thinks that Canada will play well even when it’s a different experience for the Canadian team.
“Is our first time in the world cup, it’s going to be a different experience, but I think we’re up to the task, I am very positive we’re going to do really great,” says Okpala.
Liam Frost Lethbridge College student and captain of the soccer team believe soccer is right now the biggest sport in Canada. “Soccer is kind of growing in Canada because it is the biggest sport in Canada I believe.” Frost says that he has found opportunities to go to the highest levels of soccer in Canada. “Canadian national team the Vancouver Whitecaps team is growing massively but it’s been dominated by the Premier league in England and other leagues in Spain and Italy,” said Frost.
Soccer or Football as is known in Europe getting more and more fans every year.
“Canada is growing with this massive interest of athletes and that’s growing through the success of our national team and bringing light to the opportunities that we have here,” said Frost.
Canada will play in Nov. 23 against Belgium, Canadian team will need to face Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois both players considered as part of the best players in the world.