Soccer – Brandon Sun

FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks during a Board of Peace meeting at the U.S. Institute of Peace, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

FIFA wants Iran to fulfill World Cup schedule and won’t act on Palestinian complaint about Israel

The Associated Press 2 minute read Thursday, Mar. 19, 2026

ZURICH (AP) — In a statement Thursday that did not mention Iran, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said soccer has a key role to “promote peace,” though the sport's governing body took no action on its Palestinian member federation’s complaints against Israel.

Infantino reiterated after FIFA’s ruling council met that it will not grant Iranian requests to move the team’s three World Cup group games in June from the United States to Mexico.

Iranian government and soccer officials have said it is not possible for the national team to come to the U.S. because of military attacks on the country by Israel and U.S. since Feb. 28. The team is due to play two games at the Los Angeles Rams’ stadium in Inglewood and one in Seattle.

“We have a schedule,” Infantino said about the World Cup fixtures announced in December, adding “we want the FIFA World Cup to go ahead as scheduled.”

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Major League Soccer announces plans for transitional 2027 ‘sprint season’

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Major League Soccer announces plans for transitional 2027 ‘sprint season’

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Thursday, Mar. 19, 2026

NEW YORK - Major League Soccer has unveiled plans for the truncated season that will transition the league to a permanent summer-spring schedule, starting in July 2027.

The "sprint season" will see each of the league's 30 teams play 14 regular-season games between February and April 2027, with seven matches at home and seven away.

Each club will face its 14 conference opponents once and, at the end of the regular season, the top eight teams in each conference will qualify for playoffs. A single-elimination bracket will determine the Eastern and Western Conference champions who'll then meet in the MLS Cup.

Results of the "sprint season" will determine which five teams will get berths in the 2028 CONCACAF Champions Cup, and which 18 will qualify for the 2028 Leagues Cup.

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Thursday, Mar. 19, 2026

David headlines Canada soccer roster with Davies unavailable for Toronto friendlies

Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

David headlines Canada soccer roster with Davies unavailable for Toronto friendlies

Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Thursday, Mar. 19, 2026

A spate of injuries to some of the country's top men's soccer players has Canada's head coach rejigging his preparation for this summer's World Cup.

Jesse Marsch expected to bring the core of the national team together for a pair of friendlies in Toronto this month. Then the ailments started piling up.

Star left back Alphonso Davies went down with a hamstring strain after returning from a torn knee ligament.

Striker Promise David suffered a hip muscle injury that required surgery. A recovery deep-tissue massage gave midfielder Stephen Eustáquio a hematoma.

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Thursday, Mar. 19, 2026

Canada's Jonathan David (10) shoots on Australian goalkeeper Paul Izzo (12) during an international men's soccer friendly in Montreal on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov

Canada Soccer’s 26-player men’s roster for March international friendlies

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Thursday, Mar. 19, 2026

TORONTO - Canada Soccer’s 26-player roster for March friendlies against Iceland and Tunisia, with age, hometown and notable Canadian youth club:

Ali Ahmed, 25, Toronto, Ont., North Toronto SC

Moïse Bombito, 25, Montréal, CS St-Laurent

Tajon Buchanan, 27, Brampton, Ont., Brampton YSC

Whitecaps eliminated from CONCACAF Champions Cup with loss to Sounders

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Whitecaps eliminated from CONCACAF Champions Cup with loss to Sounders

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Thursday, Mar. 19, 2026

SPOKANE - The Vancouver Whitecaps are out of the CONCACAF Champions Cup after falling 2-1 to the Seattle Sounders on Wednesday.

Seattle takes a 5-1 aggregate win over the two-legged round-of-16 series after beating Vancouver 3-0 last week.

Jeevan Badwal opened the scoring for the 'Caps with a left-footed shot from outside the box in the 24th minute. Danny Musovski replied for Seattle with a header in the 79th minute.

Paul Rothrock gave the Sounders their first lead of the game with a right-footed shot in the 83rd minute. Seattle will face either fellow Major League Soccer side Cincinnati FC or Liga MX club Tigres in the quarterfinals.

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Thursday, Mar. 19, 2026

Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei, right, collides with teammate Jackson Ragen, centre, as he vies for the ball against Vancouver Whitecaps' Brian White, left, during the second half of a CONCACAF Champions Cup soccer match, in Vancouver, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

For 10, it’s 900: Inter Miami star Lionel Messi scores milestone 900th goal, joining Ronaldo in club

Tim Reynolds, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

For 10, it’s 900: Inter Miami star Lionel Messi scores milestone 900th goal, joining Ronaldo in club

Tim Reynolds, The Associated Press 3 minute read Wednesday, Mar. 18, 2026

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Lionel Messi has reached another milestone, getting his 900th career goal in the opening minutes of Inter Miami's CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16 match against Nashville on Wednesday night.

The back-to-back Major League Soccer MVP, eight-time Ballon d'Or winner and World Cup champion got it as would be expected — with his left foot, like the majority of his career goals for club and country. He took a pass in the middle of the box in the seventh minute, controlled the ball, spun and lined a low shot past two defenders and into the far corner of the net.

Cristiano Ronaldo is the only other men's player with more than 900 goals — at least, by official counts. It took Ronaldo about 100 more matches to get to the milestone than Messi needed; Ronaldo was 39 when he got to 900 goals in September 2024, while Messi doesn't turn 39 until June.

There are some who have suggested Brazilian legend Pelé topped 1,000 goals for his career, though his “official” total is closer to 800. Different sources, counting different sets of games, list Pelé’s goal totals anywhere from around 650 in league matches to somewhere near 1,300 in all matches — some against low-level competition.

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Wednesday, Mar. 18, 2026

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi leaves the field in the rain after a draw against Nashville SC in a CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16 soccer match, Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Ruling overturns Senegal’s title at Africa Cup of Nations and declares Morocco the champion

The Associated Press 1 minute read Tuesday, Mar. 17, 2026

CAIRO (AP) — Morocco was stunningly awarded the Africa Cup of Nations title on Tuesday by appeals judges that overturned Senegal’s victory in a chaotic final in January.

The Confederation of African Football said its appeal board ruled Senegal is “declared to have forfeited the Final” and its 1-0 win in extra time becomes a 3-0 default win for host nation Morocco.

In the Jan. 18 final in Rabat, Senegal left the field in protest during stoppage time for 15 minutes, and fans tried to storm the field when Morocco was awarded a penalty.

When play resumed, Morocco forward Brahim Diaz’s penalty was saved and Senegal scored the only goal in extra time.

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Former Germany coach Joachim Löw voices safety concerns about World Cup

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Former Germany coach Joachim Löw voices safety concerns about World Cup

The Associated Press 2 minute read Tuesday, Mar. 17, 2026

COLOGNE, Germany (AP) — Former Germany coach Joachim Löw has raised concerns about safety at the World Cup being hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.

“We had debates before the 2018 World Cup in Russia, and calls for a boycott before the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. But playing in a country that is actively at war is even more dangerous,” Löw told the Cologne Express newspaper in comments published Tuesday. “The political situation completely overshadows the tournament.”

The U.S.-and-Israeli war with Iran is ongoing, and a wave of violence followed the Mexican army’s killing of cartel chief Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, “El Mencho,” last month.

Löw, who led Germany to the World Cup title in Brazil in 2014, spoke on Monday evening at an event, focused on previous World Cups, with Rainer Bonhof, who helped West Germany win the 1974 tournament, and other World Cup winners.

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Tuesday, Mar. 17, 2026

FILE - Former Germany head coach Joachim Low arrives for the Women's Euro 2025 final soccer match between England and Spain at St. Jakob-Park in Basel, Switzerland, July 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)

Toronto FC agrees to contract extension with winger Daniel Salloi through 2027 season

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

Toronto FC agrees to contract extension with winger Daniel Salloi through 2027 season

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Tuesday, Mar. 17, 2026

TORONTO - Toronto FC agreed to a one-year contract extension with winger Daniel Salloi that includes an option for the 2028 campaign, the Major League Soccer team said Tuesday.

Salloi, 29, has scored twice over four MLS games since joining TFC in the off-season.

He notched the game-winner in a victory over FC Cincinnati on March 8.

Salloi spent 10 years with Sporting Kansas City FC before joining Toronto FC.

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Tuesday, Mar. 17, 2026

Toronto FC's Daniel Salloi (20) celebrates scoring his team's opening goal during first half MLS action against the New York Red Bulls in Toronto on March 14, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Iran’s Mexico Embassy says Iran is negotiating with FIFA to move World Cup matches

The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Iran’s Mexico Embassy says Iran is negotiating with FIFA to move World Cup matches

The Associated Press 3 minute read Tuesday, Mar. 17, 2026

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Iran’s Embassy in Mexico on Tuesday said the country is negotiating with FIFA to move Iran’s World Cup matches from the U.S. to Mexico after President Donald Trump discouraged the team from attending the tournament, citing safety concerns.

It was unclear whether such talks are happening with FIFA, which did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Iranian officials have previously said it is up to FIFA and the U.S. to keep the team safe during the World Cup.

The Embassy posted a statement attributed to Iranian soccer federation president Mehdi Taj saying Iran wants to move its group stage matches to Mexico to ensure the safety of players and officials.

“When Trump has explicitly stated that he cannot ensure the security of the Iranian national team, we will certainly not travel to America,” the statement said. “We are currently negotiating with FIFA to hold Iran’s matches in the World Cup in Mexico.”

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Tuesday, Mar. 17, 2026

FILE - Irans's players pose for a team photo before an Asian group A qualifying soccer match against North Korea for the 2026 World Cup, June 10, 2025, at Azadi Stadium in Tehran, Iran. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi, file)

Canada Soccer unveils new World Cup jerseys, gets funding for youth initiatives

John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Canada Soccer unveils new World Cup jerseys, gets funding for youth initiatives

John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Monday, Mar. 16, 2026

TORONTO - When a young soccer player asked Jonathan Osorio if Canada was going to win the men’s World Cup, his answer was direct.

“Yes,” said Osorio during a question-and-answer period Monday at a children’s soccer camp in Toronto’s Downsview Park.

The panel with Osorio, teammate Richie Laryea, Canadian soccer great Dwayne De Rosario and Adam van Koeverden, the secretary of state for sport, was part of the grand unveiling of Canada’s kit for the upcoming World Cup. The federal government also announced that it was giving Canada Soccer $300,000 to expand youth engagement initiatives across the country.

After taking some questions from youth players, Osorio tempered his bold prediction.

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Monday, Mar. 16, 2026

Canada's Richie Laryea reacts after being fouled during International friendly action against Ecuador in Toronto on Thursday November 13, 2025.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Asian Football Confederation says Iran is still set to play at the World Cup

The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Asian Football Confederation says Iran is still set to play at the World Cup

The Associated Press 4 minute read Monday, Mar. 16, 2026

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — A leading soccer official in Asia says Iran is still set to play at the World Cup which kicks off in June in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Also on Monday in Tehran, a government spokesman again stressed it was for FIFA to explain why U.S. President Donald Trump suggested last week Iran players' “life and safety” could be at risk by playing at the World Cup.

In a social media post last week in reaction to comments from Trump, Iran’s soccer team said “no one can exclude” it from the global tournament where it should be a strong contender to advance to the knockout rounds.

On Monday, Asian Football Confederation general secretary Windsor John said it had heard nothing to suggest Iran won't contest the World Cup.

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Monday, Mar. 16, 2026

White scores twice as Whitecaps earned 6-0 home win over Minnesota United FC

Carol Schram, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

White scores twice as Whitecaps earned 6-0 home win over Minnesota United FC

Carol Schram, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Sunday, Mar. 15, 2026

VANCOUVER - Less than 72 hours after being shut out in CONCACAF Champions Cup play, the Vancouver Whitecaps bounced back with a dominant 6-0 win over Minnesota United FC on Sunday afternoon at B.C. Place.

“It was more than we even hoped for,” said Whitecaps coach Jesper Sorensen. “Even though it was only two-and-a-half days since we played the last game, I think the players looked fresh. We looked really eager to come out here and push the pace and play with great quality. It was a great game.”

Brian White led the way with his fourth and fifth goals of the year, becoming the first Whitecaps player to log 100 goal contributions across all competitions in the Major League Soccer era. Sebastian Berhalter, Mathias Laborda, Emmanuel Sabbi and Cheikh Sabaly also scored for Vancouver (4-0).

“I think all around the field, guys are happy for each other,” said Berhalter, who also logged a pair of assists. “Guys are working for each other.”

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Sunday, Mar. 15, 2026

Vancouver Whitecaps' Brian White (24) celebrates his goal against Minnesota United with Emmanuel Sabbi (11) during the first half of an MLS Soccer match in Vancouver, on Sunday, March 15, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

McGuire, Ojeda score as Orlando City beats Montreal 2-1 in interim coach Mark Perelman’s debut

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

McGuire, Ojeda score as Orlando City beats Montreal 2-1 in interim coach Mark Perelman’s debut

The Associated Press 2 minute read Saturday, Mar. 14, 2026

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Duncan McGuire and Martín Ojeda each scored a goal on Saturday, Javier Otero had four saves, and Orlando City beat CF Montreal 2-1 to snap a three-game Major League Soccer losing streak in interim coach Mark Perelman's debut.

Orlando City (1-3-0) and longtime coach Oscar Pareja mutually parted ways on Wednesday.

Ojeda put away a first-touch shot from just beyond the penalty spot to make it 2-1 in the 31st minute. Iván Angulo ran onto a through ball played ahead by Marco Pasalic and tapped a pass backward to Ojeda for the finish.

McGuire's first goal of the season opened the scoring in the 19th minute. Angulo's shot from the left side of the area bounced off the near post and McGuire tapped the rebound into a wide-open net from the edge of the six-yard box.

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Saturday, Mar. 14, 2026

Orlando City midfielder Martin Ojeda, left, moves the ball past CF Montreal midfielder Victor Loturi during the second half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Late goal lifts Red Bulls to 1-1 draw with Toronto In TFC’s 20th home opener

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Late goal lifts Red Bulls to 1-1 draw with Toronto In TFC’s 20th home opener

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Saturday, Mar. 14, 2026

TORONTO - Four teenagers saw action for Red Bull New York against Toronto FC on Saturday but it was a 36-year-old veteran who ensured former Toronto captain Michael Bradley earned a point in his return to BMO Field as Red Bulls coach.

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, who came on in the 77th minute, scored on a goalmouth scramble off a corner in the 98th minute to give New York a 1-1 draw in Toronto's 20th home opener. It was was the fifth-latest goal in Red Bulls history.

Toronto (1-2-1) failed on several attempts to clear the corner and Choupo-Moting, a German-born Cameroon international whose CV included stints with Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, made them pay.

"Choupo, his experience, his quality, his ability to score goals, is still at such a high level," said Bradley. "And so you know, he gives us so much. He and Emile (Forsberg), both as designated players, their presence, their leadership, the way they treat their teammates, they are so important and such good guys.

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Saturday, Mar. 14, 2026

Scaffolding stands at Toronto FC’s BMO Field, in Toronto, Saturday, March 14, 2026, as new seating is built ahead of the stadium's use in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Vancouver Rise sell Canadian forward Holly Ward to NWSL’s Seattle Reign

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Vancouver Rise sell Canadian forward Holly Ward to NWSL’s Seattle Reign

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Friday, Mar. 13, 2026

Forward Holly Ward, who scored the winning goal for the Vancouver Rise in the inaugural Northern Super League championship game, has been sold to the NWSL's Seattle Reign.

It's been a rapid rise for the 22-year-old from Vancouver, who made her senior debut for Canada last April against Argentina and now has nine caps to her credit. Ward only wrapped up her collegiate career with the University of Texas in November 2024.

"I almost living day by day because new things are happening and they're all exciting things. But they're still new and they're still big deals for me," Ward said in an interview. "Whirlwind is a good way to describe it.

"I'm accomplishing my dreams," she added. "So it's what I want to be doing."

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Friday, Mar. 13, 2026

March 21, 2026

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