Murray Mollard

A definitive look at the past, present and future of Canadian mens soccer ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

In 2026, millions of soccer fans will have their eyes on Canada as we co-host the Greatest Show on Earth: the FIFA World Cup in Vancouver and Toronto. And they will wonderwill Canadas mens team be heroes or heartbreakers? Winning Pitch: The Canadian Mens Soccer Team at the World Cup and Beyond provides expert insight into the question of what it will take for Canadas national mens team and soccer in Canada to be successful in 2026 and beyond. Though it had recent success at the Copa América, Canadas mens soccer team has been here before. The incredible story of Canadas first World Cup in 1986featuring many players from British Columbiaand our second appearance in Qatar in 2022 were followed by big letdowns. They provide important lessons for the future.

With more books about soccer in Canada focused on memoirs from standout Canadian soccer greats, something is missing. Winning Pitch fills the gap with a more comprehensive look at the culture and systems necessary for securing Canadas future soccer fortunes. Weaving together interviews with coaches, fans, executives and players, as well as his own reflections of more than five decades in the sport as both a player and an executive, author and lawyer Murray Mollard criss-crosses the country to understand the people and ideas that shape our history and future with the Beautiful Game.