Canada’s steady rise in the world of Socca

Canada has only been part of the International Socca Federation for two years, but in that short time, the country has already made impressive strides.

After two difficult campaigns in 2024, at the Socca Americup and the Socca World Championship, where the national team failed to win a single game, 2025 has marked a turning point. At the 2025 Socca Americup in Brazil, Canada celebrated its first-ever victories on the international stage, defeating Colombia 3–2 and Belgium 4–1 to advance from the group stage. Their journey ended in the quarter-finals, where they narrowly lost to Peru on penalties, but the progress was undeniable.

This momentum was carried back home. This year, Canada hosted its first-ever Socca competition: the Socca Canada Grand Prix. With a $5,000 cash prize, official medals, and awards for the best player and goalkeeper of the tournament, the event attracted over 500 spectators in the stands and more than 125,000 views across social media. On the pitch, the inaugural Grand Prix featured top-level talent, including former Canadian Premier League players and internationals with professional caps.

Off the field, Socca Canada has been equally ambitious. The organization secured a broadcast partnership with national sports network One Soccer, ensuring their matches reach a wider audience. They also signed with Capelli Sport, a global leader in kit supply, already providing gear for referees in Major League Soccer and national teams like Serbia, Lebanon, and Trinidad & Tobago.

Socca Canada has quickly become one of the most active and engaging federations online, with their social media (@soccacanada) covering every angle of the sport domestically. Their growth has been supported by the dedication of presidents Dmitri Akimov, Alex Foley, Goran Zivkovic, and Nebojsa Milosevic, who have worked tirelessly to develop the game across the country. This commitment has even earned them coverage on Canada’s leading news network, CBC.

And now, another milestone awaits: for the first time, Canada will send a club to the 2025 TUI Socca Champions League in Rethymno. Representing the nation will be FC Sveti Stefan from Ottawa, bringing Canadian socca onto one of the sport’s biggest stages.

With competitive results, professional partnerships, growing fan engagement, and a historic Champions League debut on the horizon, Canada has been steadily establishing itself as one of the fastest-rising nations in world Socca.