Showing posts with label Canada. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Canada. Show all posts
Tuesday, 28 July 2026
Monday, 6 July 2026
Sunday, 5 July 2026
CANADA OUSTED FROM WORLD CUP WITH 3-0 LOSS TO MOROCCO
 |
| Canada's Jonathan David (10) reacts as Morocco players celebrate their second goal during second half FIFA World Cup round of 16 soccer action, in Houston, Saturday, July 4, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn |
HOUSTON — Canada is out of the FIFA World Cup after falling 3-0 to Morocco in the round of 16 on Saturday.
Azzedine Ounahi broke a 0-0 deadlock in the 50th minute, then added a second goal in the 82nd for a brace. Soufiane Rahimi converted a rolling shot in the eighth minute of stoppage time to seal the score.
Canada controlled the game early and registered four chances in the first half, but couldn’t get a shot past Morocco’s Montreal-born keeper Yassine Bounou.
The Moroccans will meet the winner of a round-of-16 tilt between Paraguay and France in a quarterfinal matchup in Boston on July 9.
Morocco was the higher-ranked nation, entering the tournament sitting at No. 7 in FIFA’s official standings while Canada was No. 30.
The result ends a historic run in which the national squad nabbed its first point and first win in the men’s tournament and earned a spot in the knockout round for the first time.
Canada head coach Jesse Marsch once again switched up his starting lineup, bringing midfielder Niko Sigur in for his first-ever World Cup start. He also opted for defenders Moïse Bombito and Luc de Fougerolles, and brought midfielder Ali Ahmed into the initial 11. Midfielders Nathan Saliba and Liam Millar, and defender Derek Cornelius started on the bench.
Canada controlled play through much of the opening 25 minutes, keeping Morocco hemmed in its own end and getting several solid scoring opportunities.
The first came just five minutes in when vice-captain Stephen Eustaquio sent a corner swinging in toward the Morocco goal, only to see Bounou punch the ball away.
The keeper, known as Bono, came up big again five minutes later, stopping a strike from Tani Oluwaseyi just above the six-yard box.
Morocco’s lone chance of the first half came in the 27th minute when midfielder Soufiane Rahimi launched a shot from distance and Canada’s Maxime Crépeau dove to stop the rolling shot.
There was pushing and shoving in the 39th minute when Achraf Hakimi body-checked Richie Laryea, sending the Canadian defender to the turf. Laryea confronted Hakimi and a scrum ensued, with both Laryea and Hakimi coming out with yellow cards.
Referee Michael Oliver gave six cautions across the first half, with four going to Moroccan players and two to Canadians.
The Atlas Lions held 56 per cent possession across the first half, but it was Les Rouges who had the chances. Canada outshot Morocco 4-1 and held a 2-1 edge in on-target shots.
Morocco came into the second half as the aggressors and took the lead in the 50th minute after de Fougerolles was booked for a bad tackle.
Hakimi lined up for the free kick at the side of the penalty area and sent the ball to Ounahi, stationed at the top. The midfielder got a right-footed shot off, sailing the ball through traffic and into the net to give Morocco a 1-0 advantage.
Canada had a prime opportunity to equalize in the 77th minute with a free kick from just above the area, but Jonathan David sent his shot well over Morocco’s net.
A giveaway in Moroccan territory turned deadly for the Canadians in the 82nd minute.
Striker Brahim Diaz carried the ball up the field, then sliced it to Ounahi inside the area. The midfielder wasted no time blasting a shot off to give the Atlas Lions a 2-0 lead.
Rahimi came within inches of making it 3-0 three minutes later, but his unimpeded shot went off the crossbar.
He instead rolled a low shot in past Crepeau in the eighth minute of stoppage time to seal the score.
Marsch made several second-half substitutions in an apparent bid to juice the offence, bringing Cyle Larin in for Oluwaseyi in the 63rd minute, then replacing Laryea with Jacob Shaffelburg and Ali Ahmed with Promise David in the 79th.
His final substitutions of the day saw Jayden Nelson and Jonathan Osorio enter for Tajon Buchanan and Sigur.
Marsch did not bring on Canada captain Alphonso Davies, who saw action in just one game across the tournament, coming on in the 74th minute of the country’s victory over South Africa.
Davies picked up a hamstring injury playing in a Champions League semifinal for Bayern Munich in early May.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 4, 2026.
- Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press
Saturday, 4 July 2026
Tuesday, 30 June 2026
Monday, 29 June 2026
DRAKE CELEBRATES CANADA'S WORLD CUP VICTORY WITH WINNING $770K BET
Canada’s World Cup run got an extra celebrity celebration on Sunday, and it came with a hefty payday. Drake is celebrating a World Cup win on and off the pitch…
Canada's World Cup run got an extra celebrity celebration on Sunday, and it came with a hefty payday.
Drake is celebrating a World Cup win on and off the pitch after Canada defeated South Africa 1-0, cashing a seven-figure sports bet he shared with fans before kickoff.
The Toronto rapper revealed on Instagram that he risked $770,000 through Stake on Canada to advance. The wager carried a potential payout of $1,001,000. After Canada's victory, the bet officially hit, giving Drake a profit of roughly $231,000.
Before the match, Drake couldn't resist having a little fun with one of South Africa's biggest stars.
"@realblackcoffee was chirping in the DM I had to raise the STAKES," he wrote alongside a screenshot of the wager.
Canada's World Cup dream continues
Canada's victory keeps the nation's dream World Cup run alive. As one of the hosts of the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside the United States and Mexico, Canada advanced to the Round of 16 after edging South Africa.
For Drake, the win is just the latest chapter in his very public sports betting hobby.
Drake's long history with Stake
Through his partnership with Stake, Drake has made headlines for betting on everything from NBA Finals and UFC title fights to boxing matches and major soccer tournaments. He has regularly shared both his wins and losses with fans.
The latest payout also comes months after Bloomberg Businessweek published an investigation into Stake and Drake's gambling activity on the platform. The report found that Drake won big on slot machine games created by Easygo, Stake's parent company, at a rate far higher than the average player.
Stake disputed the findings, calling them "categorically incorrect," while cofounder Ed Craven has previously denied claims that influencers receive better odds.
The Bloomberg report also came as Stake faced legal scrutiny, including lawsuits accusing the company of operating as an illegal online casino. One lawsuit filed in Virginia described Drake and streamer Adin Ross as paid promoters of the platform.
Drake reportedly signed a $100 million endorsement deal with Stake in 2022 and has frequently livestreamed gambling sessions while sharing his biggest wins and losses online. Sunday just happened to add another win to the highlight reel.
- Kayla Morgan
NINE AFRICAN COUNTRIES RECORDED THE HIGHEST CANADIAN VISITOR VISA REVECTION RATES AHEAD OF THE 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP
Highest visa rejection rates (2026 World Cup)
1. 🇨🇩 DRC - Refusal Rate: 96.1% - Approved: 15 - Refused: 370 - Total Processed: 385
2. 🇰🇪 Kenya - Refusal Rate: 91.1% - Approved: 20 - Refused: 205 - Total Processed: 225
3. 🇬🇭 Ghana - Refusal Rate: 89.3% - Approved: 185 - Refused: 1,540 - Total Processed: 1,725
4. 🇨🇲 Cameroon - Refusal Rate: 87.0% - Approved: 15 - Refused: 100 - Total Processed: 115
5. 🇳🇬 Nigeria - Refusal Rate: 86.0% - Approved: 110 - Refused: 675 - Total Processed: 785
6. 🇸🇳 Senegal - Refusal Rate: 85.3% - Approved: 25 - Refused: 145 - Total Processed: 170
7. 🇪🇹 Ethiopia - Refusal Rate: 78.6% - Approved: 30 - Refused: 110 - Total Processed: 140
8. 🇩🇿 Algeria - Refusal Rate: 73.5% - Approved: 65 - Refused: 180 - Total Processed: 245
9. 🇪🇬 Egypt - Refusal Rate: 59.1% - Approved: 225 - Refused: 325 - Total Processed: 550
Source: CTVNews/Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Wednesday, 24 June 2026
Friday, 19 June 2026
CANADA HAVE WON THEIR FIRST EVER WORLD CUP MATCH 🇨🇦🥇🔥
Canada also become the highest-scoring CONCACAF nation in World Cup history... what a time to be Canadian 😮💨
Thursday, 18 June 2026
IVORY COAST'S ELYE WAHI DENIED CANADA VISA FOR WORLD CUP MATCH AMID FIXING ALLEGATIONS
Striker, who started against Ecuador, will miss Saturday’s Germany game in Toronto
 |
| Elye Wahi of Ivory Coast in action in the World Cup against Ecuador. Photograph: Shawn Thew/EPA |
Ivory Coast forward Elye Wahi will not travel to Canada for this weekend’s World Cup clash with Germany, the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) said on Thursday, a day after the player was linked to an investigation into suspected sports corruption in a Ligue 1 match.
The FIF said they had full confidence in Wahi and he was not travelling for Saturday’s match in Toronto because authorisations for his travel to Canada had not been obtained. French authorities said unusual betting patterns were detected around a yellow card Wahi received in a Ligue 1 match while playing for Nice last month.
“To date, the FIF has not been officially notified of any legal or administrative proceedings concerning him,” the FIF said in a statement.
“During this particularly difficult period, the FIF offers its full support to the player and reaffirms its confidence in him. Elye Wahi remains an important member of the Ivory Coast national team.
“The player will not be able to join the delegation’s trip to Canada. This is because the administrative authorisations required for him to enter Canadian territory have not yet been obtained. Elye Wahi will therefore remain in the United States until the team returns.” Ivory Coast beat Ecuador 1-0 in their first Group E match, where Wahi started for Côte d’Ivoire. He will remain in the United States pending the team’s return, the FIF said.
- The Irish Times
Monday, 1 June 2026
FORMER NHL STAR CLAUDE LEMIEUX DIED BY SUICIDE, POLICE SAY
Claude Lemieux, who won the Stanley Cup four times during a memorable NHL career, has died, the NHL Alumni Association announced Thursday. He was 60.
Lemieux died by suicide, according to authorities.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office said that deputies responded just after 3 a.m. to the scene of an apparent suicide at a furniture store showroom in Lake Park, Florida. The sheriff's office said the victim was believed to be Lemieux and said he was found in a rear warehouse by one of his sons.
Just three days before, Lemieux was the Montreal Canadiens' torch bearer before Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final at Bell Centre.
"Today is a dark day for the Canadiens family and the entire hockey community," Canadiens owner Geoff Molson said. "A fierce competitor who rose to the occasion in big moments, Claude was a relentless, courageous and tenacious player who led the team to the highest honors. He embodied the very essence of being a Montreal Canadiens player. Today we mourn the untimely passing of one of our champions. Our thoughts are with his family on this difficult day."
Born in Buckingham, Quebec, Lemieux was selected by the Canadiens in the second round of the 1983 NHL draft. He played 1,215 games in the NHL, scoring 786 points (379 goals, 407 assists). Lemieux played primarily with the Canadiens (seven years), New Jersey Devils (six years, in two different stints) and Colorado Avalanche (five years) before making stops with Phoenix, Dallas and San Jose near the end of his career.
President Donald Trump, in a post on social media, called Lemieux a "true Legend of the Game and one of the fiercest competitors Hockey has ever seen."
Lemieux was known for elevating his game in the playoffs, with 0.68 career points per game in 234 postseason games. He won the Stanley Cup four times in his career with the Canadiens (1986), Devils (1995 and 2000) and Avalanche (1996). He won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 1995 with a playoff-best 13 goals in 20 games.
He played one game for the Sharks in the 2008-09 season, having last played in the 2002-03 season with Dallas. In between, Lemieux was featured on the Spike TV show "Pros Vs. Joes" and the CBC reality competition figure skating show "Battle of the Blades."
Lemieux was one of the NHL's most antagonistic players, known for getting under the skin of other teams' star players. His play would frequently cross the line of legality, as Lemieux earned 1,777 penalty minutes in his career as well as the ire of opposing fans.
There was never more heat on Lemieux than in 1996 with the Avalanche, when he checked Detroit Red Wings forward Kris Draper from behind in Game 6 of the Western Conference finals. Draper suffered a concussion and needed reconstructive surgery on his face. Lemieux was suspended for two playoff games. This led to an epic line brawl between the teams on March 26, 1997. This would eventually be covered in ESPN's series "Unrivaled" in 2022.
After his retirement, Lemieux became an NHLPA-certified agent, representing players such as Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider and Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen.
Lemieux appeared before Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals at Bell Centre, carrying the Canadiens' pregame torch to "light up" the arena before their game against Carolina.
"He was loved by his wife and four children, and on behalf of the Lemieux family, we kindly ask that everyone respect their privacy during this difficult time. Memorial service details to follow," wrote the NHL Alumni Association.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
- Greg Wyshynski
Sunday, 31 May 2026
Monday, 25 May 2026
Saturday, 23 May 2026
Monday, 18 May 2026
Wednesday, 6 May 2026
'OUR HOST IS FIFA NOT TRUMP': IRAN FA CHIEF WARNS NO US WORLD CUP TRIP WITHOUT GUARANTEE OVER IRGC RESPECT
An FFIRI delegation, including Taj, turned back from the Canadian border last week because of what they said was disrespectful treatment at the hands of immigration officials as they tried to attend the Fifa Congress in Vancouver
 |
| The New York/New Jersey's FIFA World Cup 2026 logo is revealed during the kickoff event in Times Square in New York City, US Reuters file photo |
Iranian FA (FFIRI) chief Mehdi Taj says Fifa must guarantee that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is not insulted by the United States if the national team is to travel to the country to play at the World Cup in June.
An FFIRI delegation, including Taj, turned back from the Canadian border last week because of what they said was disrespectful treatment at the hands of immigration officials as they tried to attend the Fifa Congress in Vancouver.
Taj said the decision to return home had been their own choice but Canada's immigration minister later confirmed to parliament that the FFIRI president's visa had been cancelled while he was in the air because of his links to the IRGC.
Canada listed the IRGC, an elite military force whose purpose is to protect Shi'ite Muslim clerical rule in Iran, as a "terrorist entity" in 2024, five years after the US did the same.
Fifa Secretary-General Mattias Grafstrom sent a letter expressing regret at the "inconvenience and disappointment" the Iranians had experienced in Canada and inviting FFIRI to Zurich on May 20 for a meeting about their World Cup preparations.
Taj told state broadcaster IRIB on Tuesday that he would be seeking assurances from the governing body about the treatment of the Iranian delegation in the US.
"We need a guarantee there, for our trip, that they have no right to insult the symbols of our system — especially the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps," he said on the sidelines of a pro-government night rally in Tehran.
"This is something they must pay serious attention to. If there is such a guarantee and the responsibility is clearly assumed, then an incident like what happened in Canada will not happen again."
'Our host is Fifa'
The US, Canada and Mexico are co-hosting the June 11 to July 19 World Cup with Iran scheduled to play two group games in Los Angeles and one in Seattle.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last week Washington had no objections to Iranian players participating in the tournament but no one with ties to the IRGC would be admitted to the country.
Taj, who served as a high-ranking official with the IRGC in Isfahan Province before moving into soccer administration, said anything short of cast-iron guarantees could result in the Iranian delegation turning back at the U.S. border.
"We are going to the World Cup, for which we qualified, and our host is Fifa - not Mr. Trump or America," he added.
"If they accept hosting us, then they must also accept that they must not insult our military institutions in any way.
"Because if they do, then naturally it could create the same kind of situation that happened in Canada, where there was a possibility we might have to return.
"So there must be this kind of guarantee so that we can go with peace of mind."
Iran's participation in the World Cup has been in question since the US and Israel launched air strikes on the Islamic Republic in late February.
With Iranian top-flight football suspended, the home-based players have been in a training camp in Tehran preparing for the tournament.
Taj said the FFIRI were hoping to set up at least one friendly with a "very good team" in neighbouring Turkey, where Iran played matches against Nigeria and Costa Rica in late March.
- Reuters
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)