Canada‘s participation in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar was a turning point in the history of the sport in the country, according to goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau.
This participation, he hopes, should change the DNA of this sport in the country.
Although he missed his participation in the World Cup due to injury, Crépeau, who is currently a member of the national team, believes that Canada has a bright future on the world stage.
Crépeau sees himself as an agent of change. With a front row seat to this transformation, he sees that a new culture is taking hold in the country of the Maple Leaf. “We’re not going to hide the fact that ice hockey is our national sport, but we’re slowly changing that culture. Everything is changing in relation to our culture,” he shared in an interview with FIFA.
As the host country of the 2026 World Cup along with the United States and Mexico, Canada automatically qualifies for the event. This will be a second consecutive participation and according to Crépeau, it will then be necessary to string together participations to be considered a world power and deserve respect. “Can we qualify three or four times in a row for the World Cup? We can change the narrative, that’s our number one mission, other than focusing on 2026. Our players have understood this role for future generations.”
The 30-year-old from Greenfield Park makes no secret of the need to change perceptions. It will take time, but the good results will allow Canada to believe in it because he himself did not believe in it until very recently. Canada is still coming off a surprising run at the Copa América with a semi-final loss to world champion Argentina. “It never crossed my mind to see Canada at the World Cup because we were light years away and it’s not something that came to mind. It hit me when we started qualifying for 2022.”
Crépeau had his ticket in his pocket to play in the World Cup in Qatar, but he was slowed down by a fractured fibula three days before his departure for the MLS final. An unfortunate injury that shattered his dreams. “It was more difficult mentally the first weeks watching the matches. After the World Cup, the physical work began.”
With his sights firmly set on 2026, this time he doesn’t want to miss his chance. He promised himself he would be there, but for now, he is embracing his role as a veteran on the national team. “I know my role on the team. Sometimes you need more wisdom to manage the big moments and how to coach the new guys off the field.”
Crépeau is confident that the country will be able to take its place on the world stage, but to get there, it will need to get results against top-20 teams to move up to the next level, climb the FIFA rankings and crack the top-20. He is now counting on the management of Soccer Canada to put the players in position to move up, but to do that, according to him, it will be necessary to have meetings against powerhouses. “We have to be the best version of ourselves on a daily basis and for the federation, it will be to collect as many competitive matches as possible until the World Cup.”
What are Maxime Crépeau’s thoughts on the future of Canadian football following the 2022 FIFA World Cup?
Table of Contents
Canada’s Turning Point: Maxime Crépeau’s Vision for a Brighter Football Future
The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar marked a significant turning point in the history of Canadian football, according to national team goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau. Despite missing out on the tournament due to injury, Crépeau believes that Canada’s participation has set the stage for a brighter future in the sport.
A New Culture Emerging
Crépeau, who plays for the Canadian national team, hopes that this participation will change the DNA of football in Canada. “We’re not going to hide the fact that ice hockey is our national sport, but we’re slowly changing that culture. Everything is changing in relation to our culture,” he shared in an interview with FIFA. As a key figure in the national team, Crépeau sees himself as an agent of change, and with Canada set to host the 2026 World Cup alongside the United States and Mexico, he believes that a new culture is taking hold in the country.
A Bright Future Ahead
Despite being sidelined due to a fractured fibula, Crépeau remains optimistic about Canada’s chances on the world stage. With automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup, he believes that Canada has the opportunity to string together consecutive participations and establish itself as a world power. “Can we qualify three or four times in a row for the World Cup? We can change the narrative, that’s our number one mission, other than focusing on 2026,” he emphasized.
Changing Perceptions
Crépeau acknowledges that changing perceptions about Canadian football will take time, but he believes that good results will ultimately lead to increased credibility and respect. “Our players have understood this role for future generations.” The 30-year-old goalkeeper also reflected on his own journey, admitting that he didn’t believe in Canada’s ability to qualify for the World Cup until recently. “It never crossed my mind to see Canada at the World Cup because we were light years away and it’s not something that came to mind. It hit me when we started qualifying for 2022.”
A Veteran’s Role
Crépeau had his ticket to play in the World Cup in Qatar, but his injury forced him to miss out. “It was more difficult mentally the first weeks watching the matches. After the World Cup, the physical work began.” However, he’s now focused on the 2026 World Cup, determined not to miss his chance again. As a veteran on the national team, Crépeau knows his role and is committed to guiding the team to success. “I know my role on the team. Sometimes you need more wisdom to manage the big moments and how to coach.”
A New Era for Canadian Football
Crépeau’s vision for Canadian football is one of growth, progress, and increased credibility on the world stage. With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, he believes that Canada has the opportunity to establish itself as a force to be reckoned with. As the country continues to develop its football culture, Crépeau remains committed to playing a key role in shaping its future. With his determination and leadership, Canadian football fans can look forward to a bright and exciting future.
Optimized Keywords: Maxime Crépeau, Canada, 2022 FIFA World Cup, 2026 FIFA World Cup, football, Canadian national team, goalkeeper, Qatar, United States, Mexico, ice hockey, culture, World Cup qualification, respect, credibility, perceptions.
Meta Description: Canada’s participation in the 2022 FIFA World Cup marks a turning point in the country’s football history. Goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau shares his vision for a brighter future, including changing perceptions, stringing together consecutive World Cup participations, and establishing Canada as a world power.
Header Tags:
H1: Canada’s Turning Point: Maxime Crépeau’s Vision for a Brighter Football Future
H2: A New Culture Emerging
H2: A Bright Future Ahead
H2: Changing Perceptions
H2: A Veteran’s Role
H2: A New Era for Canadian Football
What role does Maxime Crépeau believe he plays in changing Canadian football culture?
Canada’s Turning Point: Maxime Crépeau’s Vision for a Brighter Football Future
The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar marked a significant turning point in the history of Canadian football, according to goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau. Despite missing his participation in the World Cup due to injury, Crépeau, a member of the national team, believes that Canada has a bright future on the world stage.
Changing the DNA of Canadian Football
Crépeau sees himself as an agent of change in Canadian football. With a front-row seat to this transformation, he believes that a new culture is taking hold in the country of the Maple Leaf. “We’re not going to hide the fact that ice hockey is our national sport, but we’re slowly changing that culture. Everything is changing in relation to our culture,” he shared in an interview with FIFA.
Building Momentum towards the 2026 World Cup
As the host country of the 2026 World Cup, along with the United States and Mexico, Canada automatically qualifies for the event. This will be a second consecutive participation, and according to Crépeau, it will be necessary to string together participations to be considered a world power and deserve respect. “Can we qualify three or four times in a row for the World Cup? We can change the narrative, that’s our number one mission, other than focusing on 2026. Our players have understood this role for future generations.”
Shifting Perceptions and Belief
The 30-year-old from Greenfield Park makes no secret of the need to change perceptions. It will take time, but the good results will allow Canada to believe in itself, just as he did not believe in it until very recently. Canada is still coming off a surprising run at the Copa América with a semi-final loss to world champion Argentina. “It never crossed my mind to see Canada at the World Cup because we were light years away and it’s not something that came to mind. It hit me when we started qualifying for 2022.”
Overcoming Injury and Focusing on 2026
Crépeau had his ticket in his pocket to play in the World Cup in Qatar, but he was slowed down by a fractured fibula three days before his departure for the MLS final. An unfortunate injury that shattered his dreams. “It was more difficult mentally the first weeks watching the matches. After the World Cup, the physical work began.” With his sights firmly set on 2026, this time he doesn’t want to miss his chance. He promised himself he would be there, but for now, he is embracing his role as a veteran on the national team. “I know my role on the team. Sometimes you need more wisdom to manage the big moments and how to coach the new guys off the field.”
The Road to Success: Competitive Matches and Rankings
Crépeau is confident that the country will be able to take its place on the world stage, but to get there, it will need to get results against top-20 teams to move up to the next level, climb the FIFA rankings, and crack the top-20. He is now counting on the management of Soccer Canada to put the players in a position to move up, but to do that, according to him, it will be necessary to have meetings against powerhouses. “We have to be the best version of ourselves on a daily basis, and for the federation, it will be to collect as many competitive matches as possible until the World Cup.”
Conclusion
Maxime Crépeau’s vision for a brighter football future in Canada is clear: it’s about changing the DNA of the sport, building momentum, shifting perceptions, and focusing on competitive matches to climb the FIFA rankings. With Canada set to host the 2026 World Cup, the opportunities for growth and development are vast. As Crépeau puts it, “We can change the narrative, that’s our number one mission.” The future of Canadian football is bright, and with dedicated players like Crépeau leading the charge, the country is poised to make a significant impact on the world stage.
Keyword Tags: Maxime Crépeau, Canada, 2022 FIFA World Cup, 2026 World Cup, Soccer Canada, FIFA rankings.
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