The UNO Reverse felt around the world

The GIST: ICYMI, No. 30 CanMNT’s World Cup (WC) journey is over following Saturday’s 3–0 loss to No. 6 Morocco in the Round of 16. The scoreline doesn’t reflect how well Canada played, particularly in the first half, but we’re not here to file grievances today; we’re choosing to celebrate this historic run instead.

👏 This was a tourney of CanMNT firsts: Les Rouges earned their first WC point, win, trip to the knockout stage, and elimination-game victory this summer, an astounding accomplishment considering this team was ranked 120th globally by FIFA less than 10 years ago.

• Not to mention, CanMNT reached these milestones with a roster plagued by injuries, from captain Alphonso Davies’ limited minutes to center back Moïse Bombito’s lingering leg issue and of course, Ismaël Koné’s tourney-ending break.

• Given that, it’s tempting to dwell on “what ifs,” but CanMNT sure isn’t: These young bucks are already hungry for WC 2030.

❓ So, is Canada a soccer nation now?: Fans of acclaimed CanWNT or the Northern Super League will tell you it has been — and the data backs that up. With 50% of Canadian youth already playing soccer (Timbits, anyone?), a performance like CanMNT’s could help inspire an era of elite men’s fútbol in the Great White North, not just a pastime that bookends other sports seasons.

🏀 Just look at the Canadian basketball playbook: Vince Carter and the Toronto Raptors’ Vinsanity era helped Canadian basketball culture explode in the late ‘90s, a movement that inspired Canada’s kids to hit the courts. Now, the hoops culture is thriving and the reigning two-time NBA MVP is a Hamiltonian.

• These things take time, but the groundwork is there. From hosting the women’s WC in 2015, to CanWNT’s 2021 Olympic gold medal, to CanMNT’s 2026 historic run, this is only the beginning of Canada’s soccer journey — and the future looks bright.

☀️ Peak summer vibes plus world-class women’s sports? Count us in. As a proud sponsor of the CPKC Women’s Open, CPKC is taking their impact beyond the tracks and hitting the links.

• 🏌️‍♀️ The CPKC Women's Open is one of Canada's top golf tournaments, bringing together some of the world's most iconic players. You can get up close and personal with the world’s best golfers…while raising funds for a great cause.

• ❤️ Since 2014, the tournament has helped raise more than $27 million for children's heart health, supporting families and local hospitals across the country.

Returning to Edmonton from August 19th to 23rd at Royal Mayfair Golf Club, the championship is running it back for another year of elite golf — and doing some serious good while they’re at it.

The GIST: And just like that, the Round of 16 is nearly over. Here are the highlights from the jam-packed weekend, plus a look at the final four games before the quarter-finals (QF) begin on Thursday.

🫁 It was no oxygen, no problem for England in their stunning, hard-fought 3–2 win over Mexico last night thanks to midfielder Jude Bellingham’s two goals in less than 100 seconds. Prior to this game, Mexico hadn’t conceded a goal all tournament and had never lost a WC game at the Azteca. An instant classic.

👻 Norwegian striker Erling Haaland also scored twice in a massive upset to send Brazil packing in the Vikings’ 2–1 victory yesterday. Snapchat is about to go off.

📅 On Saturday, Morocco’s aforementioned win over Canada to set up a QF date with France, who held on 1–0 to survive an ugly game against Paraguay. Revenge match, loading.

📺 Don’t touch that remote — the QFs will be set after the following games. Here’s a quick primer:

• 🇵🇹 Portugal vs. 🇪🇸 Spain — Today at 3 p.m. ET: If Portugal loses to WC favorite Spain, this will be superstar Cristiano Ronaldo’s last WC match ever, inking his name on the long list of football greats who never won the game’s greatest prize.

• 🇺🇸 USA vs. 🇧🇪 Belgium — Today at 8 p.m. ET: FIFA pulled an UNO reverse yesterday, revoking American striker Folarin Balogun’s one-game ban after some alleged presidential interference and allowing USMNT’s leading WC scorer to play. Belgium isn’t pleased.

• 🇦🇷 Argentina vs. 🇪🇬 Egypt — Tomorrow at 12 p.m. ET: Lionel Messi’s Argentinian squad has never looked more vulnerable after their narrow win over Cabo Verde — perhaps confident Egypt will be the African squad to take down the defending champs.

• 🇨🇭 Switzerland vs. 🇨🇴 Colombia — Tomorrow at 4 p.m. ET: Undefeated Colombia’s defense has only conceded one goal the entire tourney, but the Swiss have holes in their cheese a fire in their belly after their first WC knockout win in 88 years.