As both of Canada senior national soccer teams begin a pivotal year, continued growth of the sport in the country appeared possible. An Olympic gold medal for the women in 2021 and the first men’s World Cup appearance in 36 years were had the men’s team feeling comfortable referring to Canada as a “soccer nation” in Qatar.
But with the women’s World Cup starting in July and the men’s team playing Nations League and Gold Cup matches as well as pivotal friendlies to prepare for a possible place in the 2024 Copa America, neither team has contracts between them and Canada Soccer that they find acceptable.
And on Friday, both teams appeared to hit their latest breaking points. Each released separate but equally incendiary statements regarding budget cuts and a lack of negotiations between the teams and the federation.
The women’s team said, “Our preparation for the World Cup and the future success of the Women’s National Team program are being compromised by Canada Soccer’s continued inability to support its national teams,” before concluding that, “If Canada Soccer is not willing or able to support our team, new leadership should be found.”
The time is now, we are taking job action. pic.twitter.com/QbVbhTcdDU
— CanadianSoccerPlayers (@PlayersCanadian)
