Sports

Croatia soccer fans react during a live screening of the 2018 FIFA World Cup final between France and Croatia, in Our Lady Queen-Croatia park in Mississauga, Ont. on Sunday, July 15, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov

Croatian Canadians set to cheer on favourites as Canada plays Croatia at World Cup

Meet a group of Canadians who won’t be wearing the maple leaf on Sunday

Croatia soccer fans react during a live screening of the 2018 FIFA World Cup final between France and Croatia, in Our Lady Queen-Croatia park in Mississauga, Ont. on Sunday, July 15, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov
People take photos with the official FIFA World Cup Countdown Clock on Doha’s corniche, in Qatar, Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. Carrie Serwetnyk, the first woman inducted into the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame, is in Qatar for the 2022 World Cup and says the tournament is “still trying to find its joy.” THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Nariman El-Mofty

LGBTQ and other rights issues at World Cup a ‘huge blemish’ on FIFA: Hall of Famer

‘I also think the Middle East deserves a World Cup’: Serwetnyk

People take photos with the official FIFA World Cup Countdown Clock on Doha’s corniche, in Qatar, Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. Carrie Serwetnyk, the first woman inducted into the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame, is in Qatar for the 2022 World Cup and says the tournament is “still trying to find its joy.” THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Nariman El-Mofty
Connor Bedard met with the media Thursday, Nov. 25, 2022, at the Langley Events Centre. (Ryan Molag/LEC)

NHL’s hottest prospect visits B.C. ahead of Giants vs Regina Pats game

Most of Connor Bedard’s upcoming games are sold out

Connor Bedard met with the media Thursday, Nov. 25, 2022, at the Langley Events Centre. (Ryan Molag/LEC)
Toronto Maple Leafs’ defenceman Borje Salming is shown in this undated file photo. Salming, who starred for the Toronto Maple Leafs over 16 NHL seasons, has died at 71 after a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Staff

Hall of Fame defenceman Borje Salming dead at 71 after battle with ALS

Salming opened the door for Europeans in the NHL when he came over in the 1970s

Toronto Maple Leafs’ defenceman Borje Salming is shown in this undated file photo. Salming, who starred for the Toronto Maple Leafs over 16 NHL seasons, has died at 71 after a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Staff
John McKinley and Philip Wolf. (Black Press Media photo)

PODCAST: How long will Bruce Boudreau remain head coach of the Vancouver Canucks?

NHL UPDATE: Black Press insiders McKinley, Wolf discuss 2022-23 NHL season at the quarter pole

John McKinley and Philip Wolf. (Black Press Media photo)
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (8) skates against Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson (40) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Bear scores winner as Canucks rally to surprise Colorado Avalanche 4-3

Vancouver plays in Vegas on Saturday night

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (8) skates against Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson (40) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Canada forward Alphonso Davies, left, kicks the ball as teammate Tajon Buchanan, centre, watches during practice at the World Cup in Doha, Qatar, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Fans inspired despite Canadian loss in first World Cup appearance since 1986

Those gathered at watch parties across the country said they were inspired by the team’s performance

Canada forward Alphonso Davies, left, kicks the ball as teammate Tajon Buchanan, centre, watches during practice at the World Cup in Doha, Qatar, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Canada forward Cyle Larin (17) loses the ball to Belgium defender Jan Vertonghen (5) during second half Group F World Cup soccer action at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Canadian men push Belgium to the limit but lose 1-0 in return to World Cup

Game was first in 36 years for Canadians

Canada forward Cyle Larin (17) loses the ball to Belgium defender Jan Vertonghen (5) during second half Group F World Cup soccer action at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Canada forward Alphonso Davies eyes the ball during practice at the World Cup in Doha, Qatar, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Canadians ready for today’s World Cup game against Belgium — first match since 1986

Canada returns to world soccer stage for the first time since 1986

Canada forward Alphonso Davies eyes the ball during practice at the World Cup in Doha, Qatar, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Aldergrove’s Joel Waterman became the first player from Langley-based Trinity Western University to win a spot on the national team training camp. On Nov. 13, he was named to the Canadian team that will compete at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. (TWU file image)

VIDEO: B.C.’s Joel Waterman is playing for Canada at the World Cup

Fulfilment of life-long dream for 26-year-old from Aldergrove

Aldergrove’s Joel Waterman became the first player from Langley-based Trinity Western University to win a spot on the national team training camp. On Nov. 13, he was named to the Canadian team that will compete at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. (TWU file image)
The Canadian Women’s National Softball Team finished in second place in the XVII WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Americas Qualifier tournament. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press photo)

B.C. softball athletes help Canada’s national team advance to world cup group stage

Canada finished the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Americas Qualifier with an 8-3 record

The Canadian Women’s National Softball Team finished in second place in the XVII WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Americas Qualifier tournament. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press photo)
Ecuador celebrates their opening goal by Enner Valencia during the World Cup, group A soccer match between Qatar and Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

World Cup Viewer’s Guide: Davies to play in Canada’s return

Canada opens Wednesday as a heavy underdog against Belgium

Ecuador celebrates their opening goal by Enner Valencia during the World Cup, group A soccer match between Qatar and Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Vancouver Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko, right, stops Vegas Golden Knights’ Jack Eichel (9) during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Monday, November 21, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

THE MOJ: This Vancouver Canuck tire fire is going to be difficult to extinguish

This team is going to be paying the price of previous bad decisions for a long time

Vancouver Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko, right, stops Vegas Golden Knights’ Jack Eichel (9) during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Monday, November 21, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Vancouver Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko, right, stops Vegas Golden Knights’ Jonathan Marchessault during first period NHL hockey action in Vancouver, B.C., Monday, Nov. 21, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Pietrangelo tallies 3 points, Golden Knights earn 5-4 comeback win over Canucks

Vancouver blows multi-goal lead for seventh time this season

Vancouver Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko, right, stops Vegas Golden Knights’ Jonathan Marchessault during first period NHL hockey action in Vancouver, B.C., Monday, Nov. 21, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
FILE - England’s Harry Kane wears a rainbow armband as he takes the knee prior to the Euro 2020 soccer championship round of 16 match between England and Germany at Wembley Stadium in England. The captains of seven European nations will not wear anti-discrimination armbands in World Cup games after threats from FIFA to show yellow cards to the players. The seven soccer federations say “we can’t put our players in a position where they could face sporting sanctions.” (Justin Tallis, Pool Photo via AP)

World Cup teams won’t wear armbands seen as rebuke to Qatar

FIFA warned violators would be immediately shown yellow cards for human rights protest

FILE - England’s Harry Kane wears a rainbow armband as he takes the knee prior to the Euro 2020 soccer championship round of 16 match between England and Germany at Wembley Stadium in England. The captains of seven European nations will not wear anti-discrimination armbands in World Cup games after threats from FIFA to show yellow cards to the players. The seven soccer federations say “we can’t put our players in a position where they could face sporting sanctions.” (Justin Tallis, Pool Photo via AP)
Brendan Morrison catches a chinook. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

PODCAST: Brendan Morrison of Pitt Meadows a Canuck for 7 seasons

MOJ on Sports: Centre a key member of the team’s ‘West Coast Express’ line

Brendan Morrison catches a chinook. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)
A female Iranian fan cheers after the final whistle during a soccer match of her national team with Iraq in 2022 World Cup qualifiers, at the Azadi stadium in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022. Iranian authorities allowed women to watch a football match at the stadium as hardliners have long opposed the decision of the government. Iran became the first team from Asia to qualify for this year’s World Cup in Qatar with a 1-0 win over Iraq. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Barred from stadiums at home, Iran women travel to World Cup

To 27-year-old Mariam, the World Cup match ticket was a precious gift.…

A female Iranian fan cheers after the final whistle during a soccer match of her national team with Iraq in 2022 World Cup qualifiers, at the Azadi stadium in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022. Iranian authorities allowed women to watch a football match at the stadium as hardliners have long opposed the decision of the government. Iran became the first team from Asia to qualify for this year’s World Cup in Qatar with a 1-0 win over Iraq. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
Toronto Argonauts running back AJ Ouellette (34) celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver DaVaris Daniels (80) during second half football action against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 109th Grey Cup at Mosaic Stadium in Regina, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu

Toronto Argonauts dethrone Blue Bombers 24-23 to capture Grey Cup

Winnipeg was aiming for third straight CFL championship

Toronto Argonauts running back AJ Ouellette (34) celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver DaVaris Daniels (80) during second half football action against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 109th Grey Cup at Mosaic Stadium in Regina, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu
Patrick Rodgers, right, watches his drive down the second fairway along with Adam Svensson, left, of Canada, during the final round of the RSM Classic golf tournament, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, in St. Simons Island, Ga. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)

B.C.’s Adam Svensson gets 1st PGA Tour title at Sea Island

28-year-old Surrey man closed with a 6-under 64

Patrick Rodgers, right, watches his drive down the second fairway along with Adam Svensson, left, of Canada, during the final round of the RSM Classic golf tournament, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, in St. Simons Island, Ga. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)
The mascot of the Qatar World Cup is displayed during the opening ceremony, prior to the group A soccer match between Qatar and Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Hassan Ammar

Amnesty calls on Canada Soccer to support compensation for migrant workers in Qatar

International organization says workers from Asia, Africa being underpaid, exploited

The mascot of the Qatar World Cup is displayed during the opening ceremony, prior to the group A soccer match between Qatar and Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Hassan Ammar