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I don’t normally start this nocturnal note with a spoiler alert. But let’s make an exception tonight: Saturday’s front page will be World Cup writ large.
Some front pages involve lots of editorial judgment. Some just write themselves – especially when Canada is playing host to this sporting juggernaut and kicking off its first game in Toronto on Friday against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
While we don’t know whether that front page will be headlined by Canada’s first-ever World Cup win, I can tell you we will be pointing to a piece from Dan Lett on the economics and the exasperation of hosting this global kickabout.
I first got to know Dan on the Free Press slo-pitch team, as he was a huge baseball fan.
We then played together on a Free Press beer-league hockey team, as he was also a big Leafs fans.
Dan now counts himself as a huge fan of the beautiful game and would love to tell anyone who cares to listen about his pilgrimages to watch Liverpool FC.
Dan’s World Cup feature will take you right into the office of Mayor Olivia Chow as she looks out the window at the temporary soccer pitches outside Toronto’s city hall to celebrate the arrival of the FIFA tournament.
You can read Dan’s story when it goes live on our website Friday, or in Saturday’s print edition.
FIFA World Cup 2026 branding is displayed near City Hall in Toronto. (Arlyn McAdorey / The Canadian Press files)
The next part of our planned World Cup coverage features someone who not only loves the game but played it at the highest levels for Canada.
Carrie Serwetnyk’s soccer resume even includes scoring a goal in Winnipeg when she was playing for our national team.
However, her World Cup bingo card is about to stretch to 10 straight men’s tournaments as a fan and a writer. (She’s also attended five women’s World Cups.)
Carrie filed stories for us from Qatar 2022 and her contribution to our front page this weekend includes her memories mingling with soccer-mad fans — from Rome to Rio de Janeiro — over the years.
I can’t say how many appearances the World Cup will make on our front page before the final on July 19.
But, as a kid who played the game, a parent who coached his kids and served as president of our local soccer association, I’d love to have a chance to put a few Canadian wins on A1.
Go Canada Go!
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