Sports culture in Canada is changing. This observation is not ours, but that of one of the main players in this evolution in the country: Maxime Crépeau.
“We won’t hide the fact that ice hockey is our national sport,” says the goalie for the Canadian men’s soccer team. “But we are slowly changing that culture with the world of soccer, with the registration of children. Everything, everything, everything is changing in our country in relation to our culture.”
Crépeau spoke these words during an interview conducted by FIFA, following Canada’s victory against the United States last week. The virtual interview was made available at The Press for editorial use.
“We are this group of 40 players who work for this cause,” continues the former Montreal Impact player. “Yes, to win games, but eventually to change the future of our country.”
Can we get to three, four World Cups in a row? That’s really where we can change the narrative. That’s our number one mission, in addition to focusing on 2026: changing the culture of our country. Our players really understood that role.
Maxime Crepeau
He himself says he learned late in life that qualifying for the World Cup was a possibility in Canada.
“It’s never something that crossed my mind,” the Portland Timbers guard remarks. “When it hit me, it was when we started the qualifying campaign in 2022. […] You have the national anthem coming on, and it’s World Cup qualifying. ‘OK, we can do it.’ I was 27, 28. Still, it’s late!”
We come back to this paradigm shift that is taking place thanks to the current generation of players. The unexpected qualification for Qatar with John Herdman, then the superb run at the Copa América with Jesse Marsch, allows the youngsters of the next generations to believe in it, according to Maxime Crépeau.
“The impact we have on the Canadiens at home… that’s where we’re having fun right now. Because we’re doing something more representative than our results on the field.”
“A sensational experience”
Now the challenge is to “push the team to the next level,” the Greenfield Park native believes.
Crépeau still remembers the slap he suffered against the Netherlands (4-0) in a preparatory match for the Copa, last June. However, it was followed by a 0-0 draw against France, then a run that led Canada to the semi-finals of the South American continental tournament. All this thanks in particular to the brilliance of the Quebec goalkeeper, by the way.
“When we play top 10 or top 20 nations, [il faut trouver] how to get results. That’s the focus. We want to climb the FIFA rankings, and possibly crack the top 20.”
PHOTO SOOBUM IM, USA TODAY SPORTS ARCHIVES
Maxime Crépeau in action with the Portland Timbers
Canada now occupies the 40the rank. Crépeau believes that the federation’s “mission” between now and the 2026 World Cup will be to find “competitive” and diverse opponents. Because as the host country, Canada will automatically qualify.
“CONCACAF, we know those teams. We haven’t played a nation from Africa. In Asia, we played Japan [défaite de 4-1 en octobre 2023]but it dates back.”
Moreover, the former Whitecaps player is looking forward to seeing the “excitement” that will reign in Vancouver, when at least two Reds games will be played there in 2026.
“Vancouver is not a big city. Downtown, you can walk there in about 25-30 minutes. Imagine the madness it’s going to be in the streets, the colors, the flags! It’s going to be a truly sensational experience.”