'We can show Edmonton as a soccer city': Edmonton hosts World Cup qualifiers in November
The Canadian men’s soccer team is doing well in the World Cup qualifying matches, and Explore Edmonton says that could open up doors for our city as a sports destination.
Next month, Canada Soccer will welcome Costa Rica and Mexico to Commonwealth Stadium for two World Cup qualifying games. Five games into the qualifying rounds, and Canada remains unbeaten – including a game on Oct. 7, when our country’s 51st-ranked team tied No. 9 Mexico 1-1. They also picked up a point in a scoreless draw Sunday in Jamaica.
Events Edmonton says between the unexpectedly solid performance from Team Canada, and the two games in Edmonton next month, our city has a unique opportunity.
“The thing that matters most right now is that we can show Edmonton as a soccer city,” director of Edmonton Events for Explore Edmonton Janelle Janis said.
“We host FIFA for a site visit in November a week after those matches,” she said. “They’re coming here to check out the stadium, our training sites, [and] our fan-fest locations for the World Cup in 2026, since we’re a candidate host city.”
“So being able to show that Edmonton is a soccer city, that we have a huge soccer fan base here, and that we’re a great choice for the 2026 World Cup, is a huge advantage for us.”
And it won’t just be the players on the field who have a score to settle.
“In 2015 Edmonton set the record for the biggest attendance for any Canadian national team,” Janis said, referring to the Women’s World Cup game at Commonwealth. “Vancouver now holds that record for the men’s team when they played Mexico in 2016.”
“So we have an opportunity, a big opportunity, to beat that record in November.”
Explore Edmonton says more information on ticket sales for the November matches will be available in the next week or so. Commonwealth Stadium is under the province’s Restriction Exemption Program, so everyone attending will be required to show proof of two doses of COVID-19 vaccine. Janis says it will be up to Canada Soccer to determine whether negative COVID-19 tests will be accepted in lieu of proof of vaccination.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
If you qualify for this tax credit, you can expect a payment in your bank account this week
The next quarterly GST/HST tax credit payment is expected to go out this week, according to the Canada Revenue Agency.
U.S. Supreme Court rules Trump has immunity for official, not private acts
The U.S. Supreme Court found on Monday that Donald Trump cannot be prosecuted for any actions that were within his constitutional powers as president, but can for private acts, in a landmark ruling recognizing for the first time any form of presidential immunity from prosecution.
This 12-year-old memorized the periodic table at age two. He's heading to NYU after finishing high school in just two years
Recent high school graduate Suborno Isaac Bari, 12, plans to start studying math and physics at New York University in the fall, but he’s already got his ambitious sights set on beginning a doctoral program.
On July 1, 1916, a generation of Newfoundlanders died in one brief battle
Millions are celebrating Canada’s 157th birthday this year -- as they do every year -- with fireworks, food and family. In Newfoundland, it is a day of mourning for one of the bloodiest battles of the First World War.
This smiling robot has a face covered in 'living' skin
The soft, pink blob stares at the camera with glassy eyes — before pulling its face into a dimpled smile.
Judge calls Jeffrey Epstein 'most infamous pedophile in American history' as he releases transcripts
A Florida judge released Monday afternoon the transcripts of a 2006 grand jury investigation that looked into sex trafficking and rape allegations made against the late millionaire and financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Woman faces charge of trying to smuggle turtles across Vermont lake to Canada by kayak
A woman from China has been arrested at a Vermont lake bordering Quebec for trying to smuggle 29 eastern box turtles, a protected species, into Canada by kayak, according to Border Patrol agents.
You might live to be 100 years old. But will you be able to afford it?
Retirement has historically lasted about two decades, but for some Canadians it is now extending to twice that amount of time as more live well into their 90s and beyond. That's making some rethink their investments, savings, expenses and when to retire.
Canada Day festivities attract hundreds at ceremonies, parties across the country
The Maple Leaf is flying on lampposts, flagpoles and patios across the country as cities from coast to coast welcome thousands of revellers for Canada Day.