Northern Fútbol Podcast

The Canadian men’s national team fell out of the 2026 World Cup on Saturday, but the past month provided some remarkable moments for the sport from coast-to-coast-to-coast. On Part 2 of our post-match show from the 3-0 loss to Morocco, Ben Steiner, Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic and Brendan Dunlop dive into which players could still play a key role in four years time, and dive deep into whether this summe...

CanMNT’s 2026 World Cup journey is over, as they fell 3-0 to Morocco in the Round of 16. Despite the scoreline, it was far from a dominant performance by Morocco, as Canada pushed to the edge in the first half, but were unable to turn a dominant start into a positive result. Ben Steiner, Brendan Dunlop and Alex Gangué-Ruzic dissect the defeat, what went wrong and what almost went right, the errors...

Canada is in the round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup and faces an immense challenge as they take on Morocco in Houston. It won't be an easy task for Canada to get past the Atlas Lions, but it's not impossible. Ben Steiner, live from Houston, and Alexandre Gangue-Ruzic break down everything there is to the matchup, how Jesse Marsch may adapt, what penalties could look like, and plenty more before off...

The CanMNT have made the most of their knockout round debut at a men’s World Cup, as they defeated South Africa 1-0 in their Round of 32 clash after a dramatic late winner from Stephen Eustáquio. On a day when they weren’t at their best, Eustáquio made sure that they’d still get over the line on the day, rewarding them for all of the hard work they put in with a special goal. And, in other good ne...

After a successful group stage, the CanMNT's 2026 World Cup journey shifts from Canada to Los Angeles to take on South Africa. Expected to win on paper, this will be a fascinating test for Canada, one where they have a chance to make a massive statement, with most of the country watching Can CanMNT pick up a victory that will forever live on in contrast to the usual frustration and heartbreak? Ben...

The Canadian men’s national team won’t get the chance to stay at home for the World Cup knockout stage, but will play the biggest game in CanMNT history despite falling 2-1 to Switzerland on Wednesday in Vancouver. Ben Steiner, Brendan Dunlop and Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic break down Canada’s Group B 2nd place-sealing loss, how it could impact their pathway, the CanMNT's selections and the brewing dra...

It’s all come down to CanMNT v Switzerland in their final Group B match. There, the stakes are simple: if Canada wins or draws, they’ll top the group and stay in Vancouver for the Round of 32. If Canada lose, they’ll likely finish 2nd, unless Bosnia have the game of their lives, and head to LA for the Rd of 32. Brendan, Ben and Alex dive into everything you NEED to know about Canada vs. Switzerlan...

It was the game that fans of the CanMNT had long dreamed about, as Canada picked up their first-ever World Cup win, doing so in STYLE in a thumping 6-0 win over Qatar in Vancouver. Jonathan David finally had his statement World Cup performance with an impressive hat trick, Cyle Larin had a big goal to stay in red-hot form, and Nathan Saliba announced his breakout to the world. Unfortunately for Ca...

After a solid start to the 2026 World Cup for the CanMNT, who drew Bosnia & Herzegovina 1-1 in Toronto, their focus shifts towards the second game of the tournament, where they’ll take on Qatar in a massive matchup in Vancouver. With all teams in Group B tied on one point, Canada heads into this game needing a win, knowing that such a result will all but secure their spot in the knockout round...

For the first time ever, the CanMNT have picked up a World Cup point, drawing Bosnia & Herzegovina 1-1 in their 2026 tournament opener at Toronto Stadium. Bosnia were dangerous on set-pieces, and punished Canada early. But Jesse Marsch's CanMNT responded well, eventually finding an equalizer through Cyle Larin, who picked a perfect time to bust a near two-year goal drought with Canada.  B...

Canada heads into Group B action at the 2026 World Cup this week, starting with a Friday match against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto. What are the expectations for this Canadian team back at the tournament? How will they be followed by the more casual Canadian public, and what do they need to do to deem it a successful World Cup? Ben Steiner, Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic, and Brendan Dunlop wrap up...

Part 1 of 2 of this week's Northern Futbol dives into Canada's outlook heading into the 2026 World Cup on home soil, after playing to a 2-0 win over Uzbekistan and a 1-1 draw with Ireland in the tune-up friendlies. Ben Steiner, Brendan Dunlop and Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic dive into the injuries facing the squad and whether they are a major concern, as well as the biggest takeaways from the final lead...

Led by Jesse Marsch, Canada Soccer unveiled its 26-man World Cup roster on Friday night, picking the group that will look to shock the world at a home World Cup. On this episode of Northern Fútbol, Ben Steiner, Brendan Dunlop and Alex Gangué-Ruzic break down their thoughts on the squad, how it was revealed, and their hopes heading into the pre-tournament friendlies against Uzbekistan and Ireland b...

Gerry Dobson saw the worst moments for Canada's men's national team — and just as it started to get good, he retired. 10 years after he signed off the airwaves that brought him across CONCACAF with Canada's dismal men's program at the time, he couldn't be happier to see where the team has gotten, even if there's a small part of him that wishes he could have been a part of it. In a one-on-one with...

It was a successful end to the 2025-2026 season for several CanMNT players, and none more than Liam Millar, who helped Hull City return to the Premier League after a dramatic promotion final win vs. Middlesbrough. After a long journey to this stage, it’s a huge moment for Millar, who will look to carry that good feeling into what he hopes is a good World Cup for Canada, before hopefully lacing up...

It’s all starting to become real for the CanMNT, who have officially kicked off their World Cup preparation in Charlotte, North Carolina, where they’ve gathered for their pre-tournament training camp. Unfortunately, due to injuries and other club commitments, not everyone has made it to Charlotte, including Canadian captain Alphonso Davies, but otherwise, most of the 32 players who were called up...

Before the club game pauses with the World Cup starting in less than a month, certain leagues are heating up over the next few weeks, as most European circuits wind down, while leagues like Major League Soccer are about to hit their halfway point. Speaking of MLS, however, this break could come at a great time for Canada’s MLS sides, the Vancouver Whitecaps, Toronto FC and CF Montréal, who are dea...

With the start of the 2026 World Cup now less than a month away, the next few weeks promise to be a sprint to the start line for the 48 teams participating, especially for the co-hosts, the CanMNT, who are getting set for their first match against Bosnia & Herzegovina on June 12th. As Canada gets set to start their pre-World Cup camp in Charlotte in the coming days, Alex and Ben dive into the...

Alphonso Davies’s injury troubles have continued, as the CanMNT captain picked up another muscle problem while playing for Bayern Munich, one that is serious enough to put his World Cup participation with Canada in doubt. Now, he faces a race against the clock to return to full fitness, and even if that goes well, it’s hard to imagine him being at his best this summer, which could affect the CanMN...

This week is shaping up to be a big one for the Vancouver Whitecaps, as some key leaders and stakeholders are set to meet in Vancouver on Wednesday, with the club’s future very much the main topic of discussion. Can this be what the club needs to officially secure their long-term future in Vancouver?  Meanwhile, the preliminary round of the Canadian Championship rolled on, and after Toronto F...

DESCRIPTION: Months ago, we clamoured for more Canadians to head to the English Championship. Now that many have, three are in contention to move up to the Premier League through the playoffs, while others also enjoyed standout campaigns. We dive into Canadians in Europe, as well as the feisty goalkeeper battle between Dayne St. Clair and Max Crépeau in MLS.   The boys then offer their C...

The Vancouver Whitecaps are hanging on to a bit of hope after Sporting Director and CEO Axel Schuster spoke to the media on Wednesday, offering some insight as to where the club is at in the hunt to avoid relocation to Las Vegas or Phoenix. While Vancouver’s future remains unclear, Toronto FC’s present is less than ideal, crashing out of the Canadian Championship to Atletico Ottawa in the latest e...

The 2026 World Cup is mere weeks away and Cyle Larin is in the form of his life with Southampton, scoring a stunning goal in a critical draw with Ipswich, all while Alphonso Davies started in a chaotic UEFA Champions League clash between Bayern Munich and PSG.  With so many Canadians thriving abroad and the Whitecaps, TFC and CF Montréal all showing some life in MLS action, it’s a solid time...

The Vancouver Whitecaps are facing more serious threats of relocation, and local support has been overwhelming in the last week in an effort to find a solution in Vancouver. What could keep the 52-year-old club in Vancouver, and what role does government have in the solution? Brendan Dunlop, Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic and Ben Steiner break down the situation facing Canada’s oldest professional soccer...

Alexandre Gangue-Ruzic and Brendan Dunlop take a look at the latest out of the Canadian MLS teams, as the Vancouver Whitecaps are cruising to historic numbers, Toronto FC is becoming one of the most chaotic and entertaining teams in MLS (and are scoring goalkeeper goals!), while CF Montréal is looking to recover from a slow start after firing head coach Marco Donadel.  Meanwhile, the Northern...