If you think British soccer star David Beckham teaming up with the L.A. Galaxy is the biggest thing to happen to North American soccer this summer, think again. How about the biggest single-sport sporting event that Canada has ever seen - and the second most important soccer tournament in the world?
The FIFA Men’s Under-20 World Cup is blazing a trail across Canada this July. With advance ticket sales numbering 600,000, it’s the one thing that can trump Becks and Posh crossing the Atlantic.
Hosted in cities all across Canada
Victoria, Burnaby, Edmonton, Ottawa, Toronto and Montreal will all pitch in to host 52 matches between 24 qualifying teams from June 30 and July 22. Finals land in Toronto’s brand new 20,000 seat open-air stadium dedicated to the sport.
Calling soccer the “greatest game on earth,” the event’s Canadian director Peter Montopoli says “this tournament has created unprecedented buzz for the game of soccer in our nation. Soccer fans have embraced the FIFA U-20 World Cup Canada with open arms.”
With home turf advantage, the Canadian team is hoping for a solid showing despite placement in a group alongside Chile, Austria and African champions Congo.
"I mean, we're hosting the event, so if we didn't come out of the first stage and reach the last 16, we'll be disappointed," Canadian coach Dale Mitchell told reporters at FIFA.com. Mitchell himself was a member of the only Canadian side to reach a FIFA World Cup back in 1986. "So somewhere between the last 16 and the last eight, I think given the level of teams you are going to see at this tournament, would be a good accomplishment for us."
Second only to the World Cup Itself
Many North Americans are still relative newcomers to the love of the game. A few things to know: FIFA is the international governing body of the sport which is known as football everywhere but North America. The men’s Under-20 tourney features the best soccer players in the world in that age group and is considered second in importance only to the World Cup itself. In years past, the event has introduced the world to players like Diego Maradona and Brazil’s Ronaldinho.
This year’s qualifying teams include Canada and the US with perennial favourites Brazil and Argentina and other teams from as far afield as Jordan, Nigeria, and the Congo.
Incidentally, Canadian fans who still think Becks is best will have their chance to catch a glimpse of the British superstar when his L.A. team plays in Toronto August 5th -- on TV at least. No surprise that the match sold out very quickly.
Soccer never looked so good.
