VANCOUVER, BC – It’s been over a decade since the Canadian senior men’s national team last played a FIFA World Cup qualifier in Vancouver.
But the wait is almost over.
It was announced today that Canada will open the next round of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers at BC Place, the home of Vancouver Whitecaps FC. The all-important, international soccer fixture will pit Canada against Honduras on Friday, November 13 in the first of six Round 4 matches.
- Get warmed up for November 13 on Wednesday when Whitecaps FC host Honduran champions C.D. Olimpia at BC Place
Fittingly, the announcement comes exactly 30 years to the day that Canada beat Honduras 2-1 to qualify for their first – and to date, only – World Cup.
Tickets will go on sale this Friday, September 18 at 10 a.m. PT via Ticketmaster.ca. Tickets to the match will start as low as $25 (plus applicable fees). Full ticket details for the Canada vs. Honduras match, including special and group offers, are available at www.canadasoccer.com/canMNTvHON.
“Our soccer fans in Vancouver can get behind our Canadian team as they continue their journey to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia on Friday, November 13 at BC Place,” said Canada Soccer president Victor Montagliani. “Home support plays such a big role in international soccer, especially when facing an opponent like Honduras – one of our fiercest rivals dating back to the early 1980s.”
“We are glad to play in Vancouver, especially since each time I see a match from inside this modern stadium or by television, I realize how people support the home team,” added Canadian head coach Benito Floro.
Canada are amongst the 12 CONCACAF nations in the hunt for a spot at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. The remaining nations have been split into three groups – the top two nations in each group will advance to the final round of qualifying in 2017. In the final stage, three World Cup berths and an intercontinental playoff spot are up for grabs.
- World Cup Qualifying: Canada advances, Adekugbe debuts, Mattocks scores again
In CONCACAF Round 4, Canada will play six matches, with both a home and away encounter against Honduras, El Salvador and Mexico. Matches will be played over three international windows, with the first two matches on November 13 at home against Honduras and on November 17 on the road against El Salvador. Canada then faces Mexico twice in March 2016 and El Salvador/Honduras again in September 2016.
Whitecaps FC midfielder Russell Teibert and defender Sam Adekugbe were both involved for Canada in the previous round of qualifying. They were also among the attendees at Monday's press conference – as was Whitecaps FC striker and Richmond native Caleb Clarke.
"When I was a younger, I had a dream to play in front of my family," Teibert said. "My family is in Toronto. I’ve lived that dream. Vancouver has become my home now. The fans, they’re my family. When I say it’s a dream to play in front of my family, it’s a dream to play in Vancouver and I couldn’t be more excited."
In choosing Vancouver, BC as the host of the first match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup CONCACAF semifinals, Canada Soccer recognizes the city’s rich international soccer history, most recently serving as the host city for the record-breaking 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final. The November 13 match will be Canada's first men’s international match at BC Place since the stadium was refurbished in 2011.
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