Could Women's World Cup Help Canada Land Men's World Cup?

With big numbers flocking to the Women’s World Cup, does Canada have a shot at landing the 2018 or 2022 Men’s World Cup? Dream big. 

The spectacular turnout for the match between Team Canada and Team China in the opening ceremonies of the FIFA 2015 World Cup has the Canadian Soccer Association president Victor Montagliani dreaming of a Canadian hosted men’s world cup in the future.

“I would like nothing better than to get a men’s World Cup or a piece of a men’s World Cup in the near future,” said Montagliani. The possibility is even more realistic as the recent FIFA scandal leaves the 2018 and 2022 World Cup up in the air as Russia and Qatar may lose their opportunity to host as a result of FIFA officials being investigated for accepting bribes for votes and other crimes.

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In addition to the sold out opener in Edmonton on Saturday, fans in Ottawa were treated to nearly sold-out matches between Germany and the Ivory Coast as well as Norway and Thailand on Sunday. The U.S. women’s team will open its World Cup in Winnipeg on Monday and is likely to field a sold-out crowd as well. Montagliani believes the early turn out could put Canada in prime position to host the men’s cup as well.

“I think a lot of things have changed in our world in the last two weeks,” speculated Montagliani. “If investigations going on in respect to 2018 and 2022 find improprieties that are very concrete evidence, it is incumbent on the members to revisit those World Cups,” he added.

Attendance for Edmonton’s sell-out on Saturday breaks the record for the largest crowd for a national team game of either gender in soccer or any sport with a final count of 53,058, which had to open some eyes to the potential.

“We knew this was a hell of an opportunity for our country, not just in women’s football, but in football in general. And now, with the things that have happened in the last two weeks, being the country that we are in terms of how we do things, I think it has put Canada in a different position in the international arena,” said Montagliani.

Should Canada have the chance to throw their hat in the ring, it would be interesting to see how the selection process shakes out in the post scandal wake. Montagliani had this to say about Canada’s ability and readiness to host: “Quite frankly, we deserve it.”