Canada Builds on World Cup Success as Friendlies Begin
Listen to the story
Canada's men's national soccer team has started a new set of friendlies as part of the September-October FIFA international window. Friendlies are matches that do not form part of an official competition, but they help teams prepare and try new players.
The window comes after Canada's recent appearance at the World Cup, where the team gained valuable experience. Coaches and fans are now watching closely to see if the team can build on that success in the months ahead.
One major storyline is the departure of veteran player Junior Hoilett from the national team. Hoilett has represented Canada for about a decade, and many believe he played a key role in the team's development.
Reports describe Hoilett as leaving the CanMNT, or Canada Men's National Team, in a stronger position than when he joined. His experience is seen as one reason the team has reached its current level of success.
As Canada moves forward without Hoilett, attention will turn to younger players who may step into bigger roles. The friendlies this window offer an early chance to see how the team performs in this new phase.
Analysts have highlighted several key points to watch during this international window, including squad changes, player form, and how the team adapts tactically. While specific results were not detailed, the overall theme is one of transition and continued growth.
For Canadian soccer fans, this window is an important moment. It marks both a celebration of past success and a look toward the future, as the team tries to maintain momentum after its World Cup experience.
Vocabulary10 words
- friendlies
- matches that do not count in an official competition
- FIFA international window
- a period when national teams play scheduled matches
- World Cup
- the top international soccer competition for countries
- Junior Hoilett
- an experienced Canadian soccer player
- CanMNT
- short name for Canada's Men's National Team
- veteran
- a person with a lot of experience
- departure
- the act of leaving a team or group
- squad
- the group of players on a team
- momentum
- the energy or progress a team has built up
- transition
- a change from one stage to another
📚 Ready to use these words in a real conversation?
Practice live with a real tutor on Preply.
Quiz
Answer key
1. To play friendlies and build on recent success 2. He has played for Canada for about a decade and is now leaving 3. True
✅ Nice work on the quiz!
Keep the momentum going — book a live English lesson with a Preply tutor.
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Canada's men's national soccer team has started a new set of _____ as part of the September-October FIFA international window.
Friendlies are matches that do not form part of an official _____.
The window comes after Canada's recent appearance at the _____.
One major storyline is the departure of veteran player Junior _____ from the national team.
Hoilett has represented Canada for about a _____.
Reports describe Hoilett as leaving the CanMNT in a _____ position than when he joined.
As Canada moves forward without Hoilett, attention will turn to _____ players.
Analysts have highlighted several key points to watch during this international _____.
The overall theme is one of transition and continued _____.
It marks both a celebration of past success and a look toward the _____.
Discussion questions
- Why might friendlies be important for a national team, even though they don't count in official competitions?
- What qualities do you think make a player like Junior Hoilett valuable to a team over many years?
- How can a team balance relying on experienced players and giving chances to younger ones?
- What do you think 'building on World Cup success' means for a national soccer program?
🎓 Enjoyed this story?
Turn today's reading into real speaking practice with a live Preply tutor.
