Welcome to the Saskatchewan Soccer's Everyone's Game Quarterly Newsletter. Provided below is an overview of soccer events that took place from April-June, 2026 in Saskatchewan, across the country, and around the world. | | Canadian Men's National Team Advances to Knockout stage at FIFA World Cup | |
For the first time ever, the Canadian men’s national team has reached the knockout stage at the FIFA World Cup.
While a 2-1 loss to Switzerland at Vancouver’s BC Place on Wednesday wasn’t the ideal result, the team has still done enough to finish second in Group B. It means advancement to the tournament’s Round of 32, the latest bit of history for head coach Jesse Marsch’s team at this tournament.
First was a 1-1 draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada’s first-ever point at a senior men’s FIFA World Cup. Then came the 6-0 trouncing of Qatar for the nation’s first-ever win in the competition.
Though Canada came up just short on Wednesday, Marsch said it provides good experience for the team in putting together complete performances in big games against quality opponents.
“We’re going to be in the knockout phase, which is exactly where we wanted to be,” he said. “We still have a massive opportunity ahead of us.”
Marsch made two changes to his starting lineup to face Switzerland, both in central midfield. Nathan Saliba and Mathieu Choinière came in for Stephen Eustáquio (who was dealing with muscle tightness) and the injured Ismaël Koné.
The jam-packed stadium was filled with visual tributes to Koné, with fans displaying 8s (his jersey number) in various forms. He also received a loud ovation during warm-up when he came out to field level in a wheelchair.
In Eustáquio’s absence, striker Jonathan David — fresh off a hat trick against Qatar — wore the captain’s armband.
It was a tight, physical first half but there was no score at the halftime break. The closest either team came was an 11th-minute breakthrough by the Swiss that produced a terrific save from Maxime Crépeau.
But the game’s dynamic changed within the first minute after the break. Switzerland got behind the Canadian defence and Ruben Vargas scored from close range to put the visitors up 1-0.
The Swiss got their second goal on the counterattack 10 minutes later, with Johan Manzambi finding the back of the net.
Canada got one back in spectacular fashion in the 75th minute. A great touch and pass from Saliba led to a goal from Promise David, who’d only entered the match a few minutes earlier.
The sold-out BC Place crowd loudly urged Canada forward as the game entered its dying minutes. But despite creating several half-chances, the Canadians couldn’t find the equalizing goal.
“On another day, maybe we’re able to get the equalizer,” said Marsch. “We so desperately wanted to continue being here and continue the momentum that has been built around the team and around the tournament in the country.
“We came up a little short, and that’s unfortunate. But again, we’re in the knockout round.”
Had Canada managed a draw against Switzerland, their next match would have been back at BC Place on July 2.
As it stands, though, Canada’s Round of 32 match will be played on Sunday at noon PT / 3 pm ET at Los Angeles Stadium. Their opponent will be South Africa, courtesy of a somewhat surprising 1-0 win over South Korea on Wednesday night.
The knockout rounds consist of single-elimination matches that must have a winner. A level score after 90 minutes means extra time and, if required, a penalty shootout.
The winner of Canada’s Round of 32 match will move on to the Round of 16, while the losing team is eliminated.
| Canada Soccer Official Fan Experience - Saskatoon | | |
Calling All Soccer Community Leaders!
We’re gearing up for one of the biggest sports celebrations Canada has ever seen, and Saskatoon is part of the journey.
We’d love your help spreading the word to your players, families, volunteers, and supporters.
CANADA CELEBRATES THE FIFA WORLD CUP 2026™ - JULY 4TH AT GATHER LOCAL MARKET, SASKATOON
Saskatoon is joining communities around the world to celebrate the biggest FIFA World Cup ever, and we want the whole Saskatchewan Soccer Community to be part of the action!
On July 4th, 2026, we’re inviting soccer fans from every corner of Saskatchewan to flood the city for a free, family‑friendly Canada Celebrates the FIFA World Cup 2026™ watch party and fan experience at Gather Local Market.
The event will feature:
• Live match viewing on the big screen
• Football‑themed activities for all ages
• Cultural programming & music
• Local food & makers
• A full day of community pride & shared excitement
It’s free, it’s fun, and it’s the perfect excuse for soccer lovers to come together!
| | Canada Soccer is Looking for Volunteers in Saskatoon for the Official Fan Experience | | |
Volunteer responsibilities may include:
• Customer hosts and greeters
• Parking lot attendants
• Wayfinding and guest assistance
• General event and site support
• Other event-day volunteer duties as required
Volunteer Requirements:
• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Must be available for one or more of the following shifts on
Saturday, July 4, 2026:
· 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
· 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
· 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• Each volunteer must register individually
Whether you are a player, coach, parent, official, volunteer, or simply someone who loves the game, we would love to have you involved. This is a chance to celebrate soccer, connect with fellow fans, and play a role in bringing the excitement of the FIFA World Cup to our community.
Volunteer Sign Up:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeJYiEAfW23eRsxJjzs6qt672iPnJQN2dtKT5jKzhdPPf3riw/viewform
Labourer for Setup and Teardown Crew:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdbLUpNyTVYU-Ritk9yT2hWvJ7z-Z_zKAQwT3oegW0AIbDHKA/viewform
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Do you have new Board members or staff that want more information about what Sask Soccer does to support soccer in your community? Have them subscribe to The Grid where they can read about the most important news, updates, deadlines, and insights from the SSA. Click the link below to subscribe.
| | Spread the Word: Everyone's Game | | Encourage your parents and families to subscribe to Everyone’s Game newsletters and stay informed of achievements of Saskatchewan soccer community participants from across the province, the country and the world. Click the link below to subscribe. | | |
2026 Member Session Meetings
November 6, 2026 : Technical Session
November 7, 2026: Member Session
Saskatoon
Sask Soccer AGM & Awards Weekend
March 19th & 20th, 2027
Regina
| | Register for Club+, a Canada Soccer online platform aimed at supporting community soccer clubs. This platform includes tools, templates, and resources to help clubs grow, engage their communities and enhance participation. It offers practical resources for areas like volunteer recruitment, marketing and community events. Click here to learn more. | | |
Registration for the 2026 Sask Cup Adult, taking place from August 14-16th in Saskatoon, is now open
Teams must register through their respective Member Organization to ensure they are placed in the correct division and have the necessary approval to participate in the event.
Click Here to Register
For any questions or further information regarding Sask Cup, please contact r.gibney@sasksoccer.com.
| | Canada Soccer Futsal National Championships | | |
This year's Canada Soccer Futsal Canadian Championships were held in Calgary, Alberta April 9th-12th. This year Saskatchewan was proudly represented by Unity FC on the men’s side and Saskatoon Green & White on the women’s side, both entering the tournament as Sask Cup Futsal Provincial Champions.
Unity FC opened their tournament in dominant fashion, defeating Zamyad FC North Vancouver (BC) 8-1 to advance to the quarter-finals.
Saskatoon Green & White faced a tough opening match against Sporting Montreal FC (Quebec), falling 6-0.
On Friday, Unity FC took on the Winnipeg Pioneers (Manitoba) in a hard-fought battle, coming away with a 4-3 victory to secure their place in the semi-finals.
Saskatoon Green & White faced adversity early in their quarter-final against the Fredericton Picaroons Reds (New Brunswick), trailing 4-0. Showing incredible resilience, they mounted a remarkable comeback to win 5-4 and advance to the semi-finals.
In the semi-finals, Unity FC met the defending champions, Atletico Gatineau (Quebec). Despite a strong effort, they fell 6-2.
Saskatoon Green & White carried their momentum into the semi-finals, defeating the Winnipeg Pioneers 4-1 to earn a spot in the National Championship match.
Unity FC bounced back in the bronze medal match, defeating the host province’s Edmonton Rangers (Alberta) 7-5 to secure the bronze medal.
In the championship final, Saskatoon Green & White once again faced a Quebec opponent, Montreal FC. Despite a determined effort, they fell 4-0, earning a well-deserved silver medal.
The Saskatchewan Soccer Association congratulates both Unity FC and Saskatoon Green & White on their outstanding performances and for representing the province with pride.
Interested in getting involved in futsal? Reach out to your local Member Organization to learn how to get started.
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A huge Thank You to all teams that participated in this year's Sask Cup Rural in Humboldt May 22nd-24th! It was an action packed weekend culminating with the U19 Boys final that was decided in Penalty Kicks.
We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to Humboldt and District Soccer Association for hosting. Your organization, volunteers, and community played an important role in delivering a well-run and memorable championship event. We are grateful for your leadership, commitment, and continued support of Soccer in Saskatchewan!
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U15 Boys
Champion: Humboldt Hurricanes
Finalist: Humboldt Hurricanes
MVP: Matvii Dyiak - Humboldt Hurricanes
Fair Play: Meadow Lake Youth Soccer
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U17 Boys
Champion: Estevan Youth Soccer
Finalist: Humboldt Hurricanes
MVP: Eli Brandow - Humboldt Hurricanes
Fair Play: Prairie West FC
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U19 Boys
Champion: Humboldt Hurricanes
Finalist: Lanigan Lightning
MVP: Tristan Rafeal - Nipawin FC
Fair Play: Humboldt Hurricanes
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We were proud to host our Sask Cup 11-a-Side competition in Regina June 12th-14th.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all the clubs, players, coaches, team staff, match officials and supporters who helped make the event a success. Your commitment, sportsmanship, and passion for the game created an outstanding weekend of soccer and showcased the strength of our soccer community across Saskatchewan.
Congratulations to all of the teams that competed, and a special congratulations to our champions and finalists on their achievements.
Thank you for being part of another memorable Sask Cup. We look forward to seeing you back on the pitch again soon!
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U15 Boys
Champions - Eastside Roma
Finalists - Lakewood Bayern
MVP - Avicenna Soleimany
Fairplay - Estevan Youth Soccer
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U17 Boys
Champions - QC United
FInalists - Lakewood Fiorentina
MVP - Ethan Sherwood
Fairplay - QC United
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U19 Girls
Champions - Forge FC
Finalists - FCR Spurs
MVP - Hailey Langager
Fairplay - Forge FC
| | Historic Spring for Coaching Clinics in Saskatchewan | |
This spring, Saskatchewan Soccer Association delivered grassroots coaching clinics in 13 communities across the province, including Battlefords, Kindersley, Regina, Swift Current, Yorkton, Watrous, Martensville, Estevan, Nipawin, Lashburn, Redvers, and Langenburg.
A total of 858 coaches completed a grassroots coaching course through these clinics, representing a significant increase from 520 coaches certified in 2025. Through the support of the TELUS She CAN Coach program, female participation exceeded male participation, with 444 women and 414 men completing courses.
Coach developer capacity also continued to grow. Three existing coach developers successfully completed their evaluations, while 15 new coach developers (12 women and 3 men) began their training. All 15 completed their Core Training and co-delivery phases, with five already completing their evaluations. The remaining 10 are scheduled to complete their evaluations this fall.
Upon completion of the final evaluations, Saskatchewan will have 34 active coach developers across the province, further strengthening the capacity to support coach education and development at all levels of the game.
This past spring also saw the TELUS She CAN Coach program come to Saskatchewan for the first time ever. The She CAN Coach program supports the recruitment, development, and retention of women coaches, creating more opportunities for women to become leaders in soccer and helping to build a more inclusive coaching pathway across the province. click here for a short video on the TELUS She CAN Coach Program!
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As the inaugural Prairies Premier League season enters its final weeks, the league has already established itself as a major step for soccer across Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Northwestern Ontario. What began in May as a new chapter for the game on the Prairies has quickly grown into a competitive and exciting environment for players, coaches, officials, and supporters alike. The league was created to provide a high-performance pathway between youth, university, elite amateur, and professional soccer, and that vision has been on display throughout the season.
Since kickoff, clubs from Regina, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, and Thunder Bay have produced memorable moments, dramatic results, and growing rivalries. Supporters have embraced the opportunity to watch high-level soccer in their communities, while athletes have showcased the depth of talent that exists across the Prairies. From season-opening matches in Saskatoon and Regina to key clashes that have shaped the standings, every week has reinforced the potential of this new competition.
The inaugural season has also highlighted the strength of the soccer community throughout the region. Clubs, volunteers, supporters, and local partners have come together to help launch a league that connects communities and creates meaningful opportunities for player, coach, and referee development. With six men's teams and six women's teams competing in the league's first campaign, the foundation has been laid for continued growth in the years ahead.
As teams continue their push toward the conclusion of the season, the excitement surrounding the Prairies Premier League continues to build. Regardless of where the final standings end up, the 2026 season will be remembered as the year a new era of soccer began on the Prairies—one that has already demonstrated the passion, quality, and potential of the game in our region.
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The SSA is pleased to announce the graduation of 27 newly certified Entry-Level Referees. The April 11, 2026 Female Referee Clinic was instructed by Shukwia Tajik (CSA Women’s Elite Referee Program), with support from SERP Referees Ella Kupser, Anna Crump and Liam Burgess, as well as IDEA Coordinator Jennifer Wood.
The group demonstrated exceptional potential through classroom interactions and on-field practical.
We anticipate their contributions to the game as they gain experience, progress and impact future generations.
Ninety-two per cent of the graduates are Under 18, with a large majority being 14 and 15 years old. If their whistle is Green, They are Under 18.
Empower HER Voice. Everyone’s Game.
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Pride Month is a celebration of inclusion, respect, and belonging.
The Saskatchewan Soccer Association believes the game is strongest when everyone has the opportunity to participate, be welcomed, and feel valued. Every player, coach, official, volunteer, and supporter deserves an environment where they can be themselves and enjoy the sport free from discrimination.
This Pride Month, we reaffirm our commitment to creating safe, positive, and inclusive soccer communities for all.
| | Female Development Network | |
Registration is now open for the 2026-27 Co-hort of the Female Development Network.
If you are a female involved in Soccer in Saskatchewan and over the age of 18, this Network is for you!
Join us for mentorship, fellowship, learning opportunities and empowerment through both in person and on-line sessions. We can’t wait for you to join us!
| National Indigenous History Month | | |
June is National Indigenous History Month, a time to recognize, celebrate, and learn about the rich histories, diverse cultures, and enduring contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples across Canada.
Soccer has the power to bring people together, and we are committed to fostering a sport that is welcoming, inclusive, and respectful of Indigenous communities. This month provides an opportunity to reflect on the stories, traditions, and achievements that have shaped our country, while continuing to build meaningful relationships through sport.
Throughout National Indigenous History Month, we encourage everyone to take time to learn, listen, and engage with Indigenous voices and experiences.
| | Saskatoon Youth Soccer Inc. All-Abilities Program – Building Confidence, Belonging, and Community | | |
Saskatoon Youth Soccer’s All-Abilities program continues to be a meaningful and impactful part of our community, providing a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where every child can experience the joy of the game. Designed for players of all abilities, the program focuses on participation, confidence-building, and creating positive social connections through soccer.
A key strength of the program is the incredible support from our Alliance Academy & Saskatoon Alliance PSL teams, whose players volunteer their time to assist alongside our dedicated staff. These young leaders play an important role in delivering sessions, offering encouragement, modeling positive behaviour, and supporting each participant at their individual level. Their presence not only enhances the experience for participants but also fosters a strong sense of connection and inclusion across our soccer community.
For participants, the program provides an opportunity to develop physical literacy, build confidence, and experience success in a structured yet flexible environment tailored to their needs. For many, it is as much about connection and enjoyment as it is about skill development.
Parents consistently share how valuable the program is for their families. Key benefits include:
- A welcoming and inclusive environment where their child feels supported and valued
- Opportunities for social interaction and friendship in a safe setting
- Increased confidence, independence, and willingness to try new activities
- Positive role models through interaction with Alliance athletes
- A program that celebrates each child’s progress, no matter how big or small
The All-Abilities program reflects our commitment to ensuring that the game truly is “Everyone’s Game,” creating opportunities for all players to belong, contribute, and thrive.
| | Saskatoon Youth Soccer Inc. All-Abilities Program – Building Confidence, Belonging, and Community | | |
Come and Try Adaptive Soccer!
Youth under the age of 18 are invited to join us for an inclusive and fun Adaptive Soccer experience!
Adaptive equipment will be available on-site for ALL abilities, including:
-Soccer chair guards for manual and power chairs (can also be attached to walkers)
-Sensory and noise-making soccer balls
-Low- to no-bounce adaptive soccer balls
Registration IS REQUIRED and can be completed using the link our bio, scanning the the QR code, or online Here.
Come discover the game in a welcoming environment where everyone can play!
| | 1st Outdoor Registration - Overdue! | | |
The first Outdoor registrar reporting deadline has now passed! This report should cover all registrations taken from the beginning of your club's Outdoor Season to May 31st.
More information as well as the reporting form can be found on our website.
Saskatchewan Soccer Association : Website by RAMP InterActive
| | Indoor 2026/2027 RAMP Season | | |
The 2026/27 Indoor season is now available in RAMP.
REMINDER: The seasons will not be active until the Member Organization activates it under the Season settings. Click Here to learn more.
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