Inspiring the next generation: What the World Cup can do for N.S. soccer interest

Many Nova Scotian soccer players and coaches are hopeful FIFA will grow the sport.

With soccer being the largest participatory sport in Canada and said to be the fastest growing, FIFA World Cup 2026 will only draw more eyes to the game.

“We really do call this the world’s game because it brings so many cultures, communities and backgrounds together,” says Lindsay MacAskill, executive director of Soccer Nova Scotia.

That means the global spotlight will be shining even brighter on the sport.

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Canadians and the world to tune in,” she said. “We expect 1.1 billion people to be tuning in to the opening match today.”

For Halifax County United, it’s the athletes’ stories that need to be told, especially when there’s local talent for the next generation to look up to.

“Inspiration is the big piece,” says Jamie McGinnis, the soccer club’s executive director. “What you hope to see is that kids are watching the games. They’re getting excited about it; they’re hearing the stories. We have a lot of great stories.

“Not only Alphonso Davies, international superstar, but we have Jacob Shaffelburg, who grew up playing 45 minutes down the road for Valley United.”

“It’s so important for Soccer Nova Scotia to have representation on the national team,” says MacAskill. “It really does inspire the next generation, that small-town dreams can become a reality.”

To keep up with the growth at home, Soccer Nova Scotia has been advocating for more fields across the province.

But for now, it’s all eyes on the big stage.

“You hope that players see that and are inspired by it and just want to get involved in the sport and play more,” says McGinnis.

Soccer Nova Scotia is expecting to eclipse last year’s growth.

For the prior summer, 25,000 players – from two-year-olds all the way up to senior soccer – signed up.

This year, they already have more than 24,000 people signed up, and that’s before the World Cup kicks off.

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