A new golden age in Canadian football

The Canadian men’s national football team continues exceeding expectations

In 2022, the FIFA World Cup took the world by storm as 32 nations from across the world travelled to the host nation of Saudi Arabia, each of them desperate to win the prestigious tournament. Among them was Canadian men’s national football team, nicknamed “Les Rouges”. Les Rouges reached Saudi Arabia, making 2022 the second time they had participated in the event, their debut having taken place back in 1986 in Mexico.

In 1986, Canada was beaten in the opening phase of the tournament, and Argentina won the title of world champions with their shining star Diego Maradona at the helm. In 2022, history would repeat itself as Canada, which boasted the likes of international footballing star Alphonso Davies, were defeated in the group stages Canada finished last in their group having lost every game they played. Once again, Argentina would cling the title of world champions, and this time, they were led by yet another footballing legend, Lionel Messi.

To say Canada’s performance was tragic would be an understatement, but to say it was disappointing would not be fair. Canada is a very young country in the international football scene, and the teams faced in 2022 are some of the best in the world. Morrocco, Canada’s first opponent, beat consistent world cup winners like Portugal, becoming the 1st African country to ever make it to the semifinals. Despite such strong opposition, Morrocco struggled as Canada frustrated their destiny in a tense match that ended in a 2-1 victory for Morrocco. The fresh-faced Canadians slipped by a single goal.

Canada’s next opponent, Croatia, has Luka Modric, a player that has won one of football’s most coveted prizes, the Ballon d’Or. Though thrashed by four goals, Canada did not go gently into the night as they had opened the game with a screamer of a first goal. Their final opponents, the Belgians, had finished third place in the 2018 world cup in Russia. The Belgians had international super stars like Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, yet with all their might, young Canada only allowed them a single goal. Despite finishing last, Canada has shown the world that they were a force to be reckoned with.

The 2024 Copa America tournament hosted in the U.S.A. was another chance for Canada to prove itself. Two years since the World Cup, Les Rouges seemed to have only gotten much stronger. In their first Copa América tournament ever, Les Rouges had nothing to lose, and everything to gain. Their first challenge would be against the best team in the world, Argentina.

In a fierce fight against the world cup winners Canada only conceded two goals. This would be their only loss in the group stages because their game against the Chileans ended in a draw and they won against the Peruvians by a goal. Up against Venezuela, Canada found success in penalty shootouts. At this point, Canada themselves in the semifinals. in their very first appearance in the tournament.

However, Les Rouges were up against an old foe, La Albiceleste. The game was filled with controversial referee decisions, including an aggressive tackle that sent Canadian star Alphonso Davies off the pitch and out of the game, Argentina was not penalized. Jesse Marsch, head coach of the Canadian team, described Canada’s treatment as unprofessional, saying these referee decisions and the discrimination his team faced was “second class treatment.” According to Marsch, some of his players experienced racism and harassment both on the pitch and online.

Canada faced Uruguay in a third place playoff, losing in penalties despite dominating the entire game. Despite all this, a fourth-place finish in its first tournament appearance ever is surely nothing to look over. Canada has proved time and time again they are a serious force in international football, and as the 2026 world cup etches closer, they are setting themselves up to be on track to go far. With a home advantage, Les Rouges have an edge as they will be co-hosts alongside the U.S.A. and Mexico. Maybe this edge will be what they need, especially if another meeting with the Argentines occurs, this time they will be defending their world cup title.