Italy could come play a couple of Friendlies in New York and Toronto and probably make some pretty good money on the ticket sales in two markets with a lot Italian Canadian immigrants
Financially i could see it making sense
They dont need the money, they also have nations league in june and september
Mostly though european countries rarely if ever leave europe
The players clubs would go mental about the travel and distance as well, which is the biggest reason
Canada has played friendlies in europe, so have the US.
There was about a minute during the draw where I thought Canada was going to get the still open A2, and be the opening match of the entire WC, against Qatar.
Fine with Croatia and Morocco, but as mentioned above, would've been better exposure worldwide for Canada if they had a "popular" team or a team with a popular player, even if they got their butts whooped, as the top seed.
But, slide into second and they get the Germans in the knockout stage.
England Scotland and Iran USA will be a great final match. I was in Toronto in 1998 the night Iran beat the US in the WC and didn't know there were so many Iranians in downtown Toronto, as they celebrated on every block.
Herdman may have to practice some bus driving in the next few months, so he knows how to properly park one. Free running through our midfield is going to cause our back 4 to be under seige... haven't seen that from a team in CONCACAF but it will happen at the WC.
In 2026, will each of Canada, USA and Mexico be in Pot A?
There is no Pot A. But I think we will be auto-slotted into Group A, Group B, and Group C as Pot 1 teams. So the answer to the question I think you intended to ask is 'yes'.
Yeah, well...he's a former Everton Manager and overseen Belgium's under-achievements, he's a manager that knows how to lose...I'd back Herdman over Martinez.
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Zero easy games at the world cup but happy with the draw.
I'm hoping we see another CB or Winger start pressing for minutes over the next 9 months. Cb is a well known issue but I'd say davies extended absence really exposed a weakness and shallow options for pace out wide too. Basically leaves them pushing laryea up into a winger role or a guy like hoilett who is fantastic, but lacks the pace, out wide. Thought maybe marshall-rutty would be that guy but sounds like he's completely done his knee
Opponents for Nations League are set. Group stage is in July. Herdman mentioned trying to get some big name friendlies in June and September to prep for World Cup as well.
^ Canada should dip its toe with some U-20 games or something in places like Calgary, Halifax, and Victoria. Small but interesting stadiums with good crowds.
It should be pretty obvious as to why Calgary is not a viable choice for hosting national team games.
Spruce Meadows could host some youth national teams, and it could have hosted a friendly against a minnow years ago when no one cared about the national team, but that's about it.
It should be pretty obvious as to why Calgary is not a viable choice for hosting national team games.
Spruce Meadows could host some youth national teams, and it could have hosted a friendly against a minnow years ago when no one cared about the national team, but that's about it.
Can McMahon be used in a similar way to Commonwealth?
The CSA will be chasing cash at every opportunity for the next 4+ years with regards to friendlies and anything else, so they means likely any small venues are out.
Also, it means any venues that haven't sucked up to them will be out.
Hopefully on the Friendly side Herdman and his crew are the only ones with authority to choose the sides.
For example, Italy, for most of the CSA and their board would be a wet dream to play in Toronto and charge more than they did vs Jamaica. But are they a tactically similar or style similar team to Belgium, Morocco or the Croats, to allow a proper preparation for the World Cup as opposed to a circle jerk to placate the Toronto Italian community?
Hamilton, Toronto, BC Place and Edmonton, in that order for Nations League, regardless, unless another venue guarantees some ridiculous purse to the CSA to host a game.
