Soccer in Saskatchewan continues to grow in popularity

By Drew Stremick

The run by Canada’s men’s team to the 2022 World Cup has helped soccer continue to grow in popularity across Saskatchewan.

All across the province Sunday, fans celebrated as the national team beat Jamaica 4-0 to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar later this year.

It’s the first time Canada’s men’s team has qualified for the World Cup since 1986; that year, the men’s team lost all three of its games and didn’t score a goal.

Doug Pederson, the executive director with the Saskatchewan Soccer Association, says having Canada qualify for the World Cup helps grow the sport here at home.

“We’ve been working on the pathway for a long time (and) now we can see the potential of where it can take us,” he said Monday. “It really makes a huge difference.”

The men’s team qualifying for the World Cup shows young athletes that there are growing opportunities within the sport to reach new heights.

The men’s team also has a Saskatoon connection: Rahim Z. Mohamed, the director of soccer with the SSA, has been working with the national team for the past few months, according to Pederson.

“He has actually been on loan to the national team for the past three months, working in the background on logistics,” Pederson said. “We got to see him and (were) cheering him on after the huge victory (Sunday).”

Another big announcement for the sport was the recent announcement of the Canadian Premier League expanding to Saskatoon.

Pederson says between the Canadian Premier League and the men’s team heading to the World Cup, fans and players have a lot to look forward to.

“(There has) really never been a more exciting time for soccer in Canada,” Pederson said. “With the development of the Canadian Premier League and potential for a team right here in Saskatchewan, people can potentially play professional soccer here at home.”

The SSA’s goal is to foster, develop and promote soccer across the province. Currently in Saskatchewan, more than 80 leagues are members of the SSA.