The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge - Your Turn - How Do You Feel About The World Cup?

Episode Date: June 11, 2026

I wasn't sure when we asked this question just how many respondents we'd get. The World Cup of Soccer (Football) is being played in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. this month. The question was , how do you feel about the World Cup. Well, we got answers, lots of them. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

And hello there, Peter Mansbridge here. You're just moments away from the latest episode of the bridge. It's Thursday. That means your turn. What do you think of the World Cup? Do you care? It starts tonight. Canada plays its first game tomorrow.

Your thoughts on the World Cup coming right up. And hello there, Peter Mansbridge here. Thursday's your turn is all about soccer. The World Cup starts. today. Do you care? Canada's playing in the World Cup. Canada's never won a game in the World Cup. In fact, it was just in the last World Cup in Qatar that they scored their first ever goal in a World Cup game.

So for the Canadian team, this is a big deal. Because the game is in Canada. It's in Toronto tomorrow night. Anyway, the question was pretty straight. forward. You care about the World Cup. And we got quite a few answers. So I won't take you long to figure out where most of

them ended up in terms of the care question. But let's get into it because there's some interesting thoughts here. Dave Cole from Wallisburg, Ontario. That's an hour east of Windsor is our first up today. I know sports bring people to

and are an important part of society. Although there are limits when it comes to spending tax dollars on a sport, up $1.06 billion of our tax dollars is being spent on this event. The federal government is contributing $473 million and $593 million split between provincial and municipal governments. This money would be better spent on other needed programs. Henry Wall in Listerwell, Ontario. That's not far north of Stratford.

Henry's a man of few words. Am I interested in the World Cup? No. Phil Cole or Fredericton. FIFA is one of the most corrupt organizations in the world. I might catch the final. Don Whitmore in Colonna, BC. I would sooner watch the World Cup of paint drawing.

Okay. And Marie Klein in Toronto. I am deliberately avoiding this World Cup like I did the last two in Qatar and Russia. Between Trump's ridiculous FIFA peace prize, ticket gouging, and heavy costs to Canadian taxpayers, along with Trump's disgraceful treatment of certain national teams and visitors, everything reeks of ever-increasing corruption. As a lifelong fan who loved the year, Euro and World Cup events, I now refuse to give FIFA and UEFA my time or money. UEFA is the Union of European Football Associations, the governing body of soccer in Europe.

Lana McLaren in Vancouver, do I enjoy professional men's soccer as a sport to watch on TV? No. In person, can't afford it. Watch live FIFA TV games? No. The ads are off. We'll tape the semis and the finals so I can fast forward through the ads. Our Canadian national teams, especially the women, get my views.

Go Canada. Okay, though, that's sort of kind of half-way. Terry Sims in Victoria. Soccer is so boring, I'd rather stick needles in my eyes than watch it. Really? You'd rather stick needles in your wrist. rise than watch soccer. I don't believe there's any real interest except in our major cities.

By the way, Vancouver is losing their club. It's a little explanation on that. That's the Vancouver white caps of Major League Soccer. The team is up for sale. Reports say it may move to Las Vegas, though there are efforts to keep it in Vancouver. However, the commissioner of the league has said there isn't enough corporate support in Vancouver and no local solutions.

is obvious. Back to Terry's writing. As for me, I'll finish watching the Stanley Cup finals, the ultimate sport of agility, finesse, power, and aggression. That's a real beautiful game. I'll enjoy summer until October comes, and we start all over again with hockey. I'm scratching here, looking for the first, like, unequivocal.

I like soccer. I like the World Cup. David Chief in Smith, Alberta. that's at the confluence of the lesser slave river and the Athabasca River. It's almost 200 kilometers north of Edmonton. Regret to say, but as a kid, poor vision, wearing glasses, and lack of aggression ruled me out from playing most team sports, so not much interest in soccer,

especially dislike couch potatoing for any sport. Attending live is fun, but way too expensive. However, I'll definitely cheer if can't. Canada wins. That could change everything, right? If Canada suddenly won a World Cup soccer game, they played a more night against Bosnia. They win.

Some of these people will watch the next game. Steve Rouswell in Burlington, Ontario. I'm unable to take soccer seriously as a sport, not because it isn't athletic or creative or competitive enough. It's all of those. but because the culture of it is willing to accept the deliberate feigning of injury for the purpose of gaining an advantage through the imposition of penalties. If a player thinks they can get away with it, they will. And no one at any level seems to care.

Until this is corrected, I will have no interest. It is pretty pathetic, some of the diving that you see in soccer. John Minchell in Comox Valley, BC. I'm interested in the World Cup. not particularly. While I might follow it and watch it, I am not one who is very interested this time. I also believe that FIFA has not been very effective

in promoting a collective experience where everyone can get together and just enjoy the beautiful game. Don Dufour in Ottawa. I will not be watching World Cup soccer. Growing up in a large Italian neighborhood in Toronto, I vividly remember when Italy won in 1982 and the pandemonium of horns, flags, and parties that overtook our streets.

Although our kids played soccer in their teens here in Ottawa and we enjoyed cheering them on, I will stick with cheering for the Blue Jays and Senators, as there are only so many sports hours in my day. Excuse me, staying in Ottawa, Catherine Hayward. Less than zero cares about the World Cup itself, but I have opinions. FIFA is corrupt, and the peace trophy they gave Donald Trump should be a humiliation. The USA denying officials entry, restricting player movements, declining fans' visas, and immigration enforcement threats should disqualify them from hosting. The whole thing's a joke.

If it's a failure, it couldn't happen to a more deserving organization. Chris Judge in Ottawa. I moved to Canada from England 28 years ago. and I followed my club team for 50 years. But I am definitely not excited by the World Cup. I'm saddened and sickened in equal measures by FIFA, arguably one of the most dishonest sports governing bodies in the world. Everything from the Trump Peace Prize, really?

To the skyrocketing ticket process. They've hijacked the game I love. Well, there's a soccer fan, but it is so upset by FIFA that they won't watch. Josh Como in Montreal, I better watch if England's in the final. Josh Como in Montreal, I don't care about the World Cup,

and I think sports are a net negative for society. In the words of the legendary Scatman John, everybody's born to compete as he chooses, but how can someone win if winning means that someone loses? Who's Scatman John, you have? He was an American musician, real name John Paul Larkin, who passed away in 1999. Christine Van Egmond in Hamilton. I'm a longtime sports fan, but I'm conflicted.

Today, many fans are priced out of attending games, while verbal and physical violence in the stands seems more common than ever. Player entitlement, owners prioritizing profits, and the rise of sports betting have diminished much of the enjoyment of watching and attending major events, including the World Cup. I'll be cheering for Canada's first win, or even a draw, but I'm unsure how much of the tournament I'll watch. Marilyn Wallace, Fannie Bay, BC. The decision to host the World Cup has delivered a huge disservice to Canada's taxpayers. It slapped us with a billion dollar price tag, just as a recession is looming. Not only that, the astronomical cost of a World Cup ticket

means that very few average citizens can afford to sit in the stands. And then we are told there are limited funds for additional soccer pitches for our own young players. Messed up priorities. Leo Bourdain in Ottawa. I play and watch a lot of sports, including hockey and and soccer. So I will be watching Team Canada, and I hope we become a contender. However, I dislike how FIFA and other sports organizations, like the NHL,

prioritize money over fans. I bet Montreal's economy benefited more from the playoff run of the Habs than Canada will from the World Cup. Scott Jansen in New Westminster, BC. As a youth soccer coach for 13 years. The World Cup means sharing the game with my family and community. We won't be buying tickets. We'll be at the free fan events, cheering for Canada and watching matches with friends and extended family. For large groups and young families, affordability makes the free events the real World Cup experience. Expect to find the kids and grassroots soccer community at the fan festivals, not in the stadium seats. Gary Gould in Brantford

My interest in the FIFA World Cup is zero. Why would I spend my tax dollars to fund a sporting event? Hosting the FIFA World Cup will cost Canadian taxpayers over a billion dollars, with an estimated expense of $82 million per game for the 13 matches being held in Canada. Estimated budget for two attending a game range from 1,400 to 2,400, depending on hotel choice. I'll take a pass. Francis Rankin, Toronto.

So excited about the World Cup. Not attending any games, but we'll be out on streets, enjoying pubs, bars, taking in the vibe. Toronto is going to be so alive and have so much great energy. I can't wait. I run an Airbnb,

and I kept prices at reasonable rate, so I'm fully booked. I look forward to meeting guests, visiting from around the world, all visiting Toronto to cheer on their favorite team. David Chapman in Kirkland Lake, or sorry, in Kirkland, Quebec. That's on Montreal's West Island. Not Kirkland Lake, that's Northern Ontario, home of Dickie Dove, my favorite hockey player from the 60s, a little bit in the 70s, too.

Played for the Leaves, paid for the Habs, 1-6 Stanley Cups, but I digress. David Chapman, I don't care about soccer. least of all the World Cup. Money and greed have gotten in the way of the beautiful game. And the drama acting shown by these athletes has also become a major distraction. These guys wouldn't last five minutes on the ice. Jeff Fisher, River View New Brunswick. When a soccer player can take an 87 mile an hour soccer ball to the nose

and play the next game, I'll start watching. Until then, it's hockey and NASCAR for me. Then he sent a lair in winter. I used to care about and enjoy the World Cup every four years, but now this event has been spoiled by FIFA's financial greed and by Trump, who has politicized absolutely everything. So now I care about my grandchildren's soccer matches, even if they're too young to know which net to defend or score on. I look forward to hearing how big a fail the 26 World Cup will be sad, very sad. Maggie Wilson and Victoria. I'm not a huge fan of soccer,

but I appreciate the game. I love watching highlights of great goals and games. But this Infantino-led FIFA debacle, that's Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, is perhaps more cringe-worthy than the last two in Qatar and Russia. He loves a dictator.

It has a huge environmental impact. Ticket prices are obscene and the whole thing smells of greed and raw. It does not follow the spirit of the game. Brian Hoyle in Bedford, Nova Scotia. For sure, I'll be watching. But the tournament's insane costs and the draconian rules and demands of FIFA are tough to swallow. Need to be changed.

Have a read of a book published in 2010 titled The World is a Ball by former Globe and Mail television critic John Doyle. His book celebrates the good. spirited revelry and fun of smaller-scale World Cups held several decades ago. Oh, for those times again. Roland Lewis in Gatno, Quebec. I enjoyed playing soccer when I was young. Watching soccer, to me, is boring. Same applies to basketball.

Obviously didn't watch that game last night. Fun to play, but boring to watch. Huge waste of taxpayer money that FIFA enjoys. spending on everyone's behalf. The Stanley Cup is important to this Canadian. Jason Heliopoulos and Kingston. Being a Toronto boy born and raised,

I of course would cheer for Canada. However, after living in Japan for 22 years, marrying a Japanese girl and having three boys together, one of them is a phenomenal soccer player. We also support and cheer for Japan. but mum being from England, thus making me half English, in my heart I am rooting for England. Harry Kane.

Kate Wilson in Toronto. You know, first of all, Jason, with a name like Heliopolis, it's got to be some, it's got to be some passion for Greece in there too. Kate Wilson and Toronto, I care about the World Cup because we are hosting in Vancouver and Toronto. I want us to show pride in our country. country, which we should have for many reasons. A flag is in the condo window and my Canadian

swag t-shirts are ready to wear. We paid a lot of money for this event, so enjoy it while at last. Go Canada. Lisanne Donnelly in I'll de la Maudelaire, Quebec. I'm neutral on FIFA, but take note that Vancouver will probably do a great job hosting, and the event is important for fans around the world. Like the Olympics and F1 racing, these events come with some degree of controversy, corruption and politics. Barbara Holland in Windsor. The World Cup is a value ad for Canada. Critics argue that the financial return is too low, but that is a narrow lens. The real return, the opportunity to showcase Canada, not just as a stable business partner in a world of shifting trade uncertainties, but is a vibrant place to live and work.

If it attracts the international talent and investment needed to move forward, then the cultural capital is worth the price. Okay, that's roughly the halfway mark. I think there was one, no, maybe two unquestioned supporters of the World Cup in our first half. But who knows what will happen when we get to the second half? We'll get through this break, then we'll listen to the rain. Random Ranter who is on a tear about Donald Trump.

Now, he's been on a terror before, but nothing like this one. Strap yourself in, get ready for this. But first of all, let's take a quick break back after this. And welcome back. You're listening to The Bridge for this Thursday. That means your turn and the Random Rantter will be coming by in just a moment. I'm glad to have you with us. The question for the week on the your turn portion of all this

is the World Cup starts tonight. How are you feeling about the World Cup? How do you feel about soccer? We're going to find out your thoughts on all this in just a moment's time. You're listening on Sirius XM, Channel 167, Canada Talks, or on your favorite podcast platform. glad to have you with us.

All right, let's get to the random ranter. I gave you a heads up on what it's about. Let's go for it, Mr. Ranter. Here he is. I don't know about you, but I'm pretty sick and tired of hearing the Americans whine about Canadian trade irritants. It's a real joke. And all the hand-wringing around Coosman negotiations is their movement, is their progress. there's a meeting, then there's no meeting. It's all a bunch of BS. The Americans are not serious

negotiators. They're not professional diplomats and they're not looking for a win-win of any sort. I don't even think they're looking for a deal in the conventional sense. I think to Trump were just another box to tick on his grievance revenge tour. And when it comes to making a deal, I think the only thing he wants from us is everything. But he'll settle for tribute, obedience, and some acts of contrition for all our sins against his MAGA America. Now, even if you think I'm overstating it, it's hard to argue that the Americans are negotiating in any kind of good faith. I mean, the tariffs started with a fabricated fentanyl crisis that cost us $1.3 billion.

And in the end, after spending all that money and going through all that effort, nothing changed on the tariff front. Then we ceded and have continued to cede our entire digital landscape to the Americans by killing any attempt at taxing the tech bros and the big streaming services. Where is that getting us? Finally, there's the tariffs tied to Trump's forced labor farce. Apparently, we're weak on human rights and forced labor, said the people behind Alligator Alcatraz.

Maybe if they want us to really crack down on forced labor trade, we should start by taking a long, hard look at the $11 billion worth of prison labor goods being produced in America this year. Let's face it, the Americans aren't serious. They have no respect for international treaties, decorum, or norms. They don't care about violating anything. I mean, nothing is below them. They just bomb some water reservoirs in Iran.

That's a war crime. That's a crime against humanity. and that's who we're negotiating with. That's who we're counting on to honor any kind of deal we might make. That's why I just don't understand how the powers that be are also invested in negotiating a new Kuzma. Don't they see that any deal you make with the Americans is done at your own peril? There'd be nothing written in stone in a new Kuzma, or for that matter, even pencil crayon.

Any deal you make will always be subject to the many whims of Trump and the billionaires whispering in his ear while lining his pockets. Now, I'm not saying we shouldn't want to make a deal on a renewed Kuzma. We should. Kuzma has been good for Canada, but we can't continue to negotiate from a position of wanting it so much more than they do. We can't be dealing with them on our back foot. We need to be prepared to walk away. We need to be confident in the fact that America needs us as much as we need them. But the way it stands now, every time we give them something, they add something new to their list of wants. We back off on a streaming tax, and suddenly the issue becomes our few remaining retaliatory tariffs, like it's

offensive to them that we even try to defend ourselves. I say screw that noise. Enough with the concessions. We need to fight fire with fire. We've seen how disingenuous they are. We've seen the regrets other countries have had in making deals with them, and we've seen how dropping our elbows has done nothing for us. Because the truth is, they don't want us to just drop our elbows. They want us dropping to our knees. Well, screw that noise, too. It's time to play tough. I'd suggest we start by showing up the next negotiating table with a gripping fighter jet contract in hand, ready to be signed. And if that doesn't convince them we're serious, then we should sign it right there then in front of them. After that, maybe we need a border crisis of our own. I mean, 85% of the handguns

used in crimes in this country are coming from America. Maybe it's time for a ban on all American gun imports. And even though I'm an AI hater, the government is looking to build sovereign data centers. Those use a lot of power. Maybe out of national security, we should start restricting our exports of electricity. After that, if they're still not convinced, well, there is a world shortage of fertilizer. There is world demand for uranium. And I'm sure our new Swedish military partners would have some use for our armor strengthening tungsten and scandium. Look, Trump keeps threatening that he might walk away from Kuzma and that America needs nothing from us. Maybe it's time we test that theory.

All right, I can already see the emails coming in on that one. The ranter must have had some kind of special energy pill this week. That was quite a rant. And I'm sure some of you are going to react to that rant. But today is about soccer. It's about soccer. And the World Cup. which starts tonight and Canada's first game tomorrow night.

So let's get back to your mail, which has so far been overwhelmingly negative on the idea of the World Cup and being a fan of or watching the World Cup. Frank Wang of Surrey, B.C. I'm a big footy fan. However, FIFA's over-commercialization this year has left a bad taste in my mouth. There are very few good matchups. Canadian cities, yet the ticket prices are through the roof. Additionally, the tournament's expansion is significantly watered down the quality of the teams.

Many of the games are simply not worth attending. Most of the exciting matches, especially the knockout round games, are being held in the U.S. cities. Remember, there are games in Mexico, U.S., and Canada. But I can tell you that all the matches from the quarterfinals onward, and that's when a lot of people start watching will be played in the United States. As of like two days ago, the opening games in the U.S. weren't even sellouts,

and I think there still needed to be a couple hundred for the opening game in Canada. Fabry and Budaman in Milton, Ontario. Sports being bringing people together and national team competition brings the country together. Football is the most popular sports, in the world. And it means that people in many countries

band together to cheer for their national football team. World Cup provides the chance for national teams across the world to compete and in turn bring the world together. Despite the corruption of the organization, the value of World Cup as as it means to bring people together is not diminished.

I think that's a positive. Anne Harmer, Garden Bay, BC. Imagine if youth teams in host countries were given free tickets for a certain number of matches. If ticket prices were within reach of ordinary fans, if host cities weren't required to provide ridiculous security, if fans were allowed to bring their own water bottles into the stadiums, imagine if FIFA wasn't a corrupt, bloated organization.

Then, along with many other ifs, the World Cup would again be synonymous with the beautiful game. David Cartwright in Port Dover, Ontario. As an English immigrant, this country has been good to me. However, hockey, CFL, NFL, baseball, basketball, do not give me the passion I have for football. When I go to a game or watch it on TV, I know it will be finished in two hours,

unlike the NFL, for instance, where the last five minutes could be 30 minutes. Football is a simple sport played with great skill, as are the other games I've mentioned. However, they don't instill the passion, I have for football. Donald Mitchell in Ottawa. I'll be following the World Cup,

but will not be going to any games and likely not buy any merchandise. I've soured on all the pro leagues in the world, except for my beloved Canadian football league. The rest are all a bunch of blood-sucking leeches who prey on the hopes and dreams of young boys and girls and the wallets of their parents. Ryan Legault in Brasilia, Brazil.

One of our overseas international listeners. Canada's co-hosting the biggest World Cup ever. Up to $6.5 billion in GDP impact. But the real prize isn't the tourism bump. It's the global audience it brings millions of fans from the global south, potential talent, investors and trade partners. The irony, visa barriers are blocking the very people Canada should be courting. treated like a six-week trade show for Brand Canada

or leave money and talent on the table. Okay, here's a little fact that's related to all that. A Bank of Montreal report 10 days ago said that for Canada, the estimated GDP gains are $1 to $5 billion and $1.5 to $6.5 billion. This translates into a GDP increase of around 0.1 points. percentage points, I guess. It also says most of the economic gains flow to the private sector, while the public sector in Toronto and Vancouver will absorb a disproportionate share of the financial risk.

That means you. This misalignment between who pays and who benefits lies at the core of the cost-reward challenge for Canadian host cities. Murray Sherman in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, I personally don't care about the World Cup, but I recognize a lot of people, including my brother, do. I just never enjoyed soccer, and FIFA is so corrupt I don't want to support them. Also, I've found myself pulling away from sports because the fandoms nowadays are almost as toxic as American politics. I consider myself a recovering sports addict since my Patriots lost Super Bowl 60, and honestly, I've never been happier.

Owen Webb in Toronto. The World Cup has always been an exciting time for me. The first one I ever watched was the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. I watched nearly all the games with my dad, and we both began bonding over football, not soccer. It's what inspired me to join my local House League team. We would end up winning bronze two years in a row. Mike McNaughton in London, Ontario. Even with the current political tensions, I will still be watching and following this year's World Cup. I've always been fascinated by this. tournament because this sport gets great representation from nations all over the world. I attended the game when Canada qualified for the last World Cup and won't forget the

pride I felt from that experience. We also have friends from Scotland, attending games and visiting our family for a few days. Well, I'm in Scotland, at least for the first half of the games. Ken Annis in Caledon, Ontario. Am I being too sensitive? I'm a little irked when I see my fellow Canadians driving around the city proudly displaying their favorite World Cup team's flag clipped to the windows of their cars. Usually this flag belongs to a country that is not Canada. Still, can people wait until Canada is eliminated

or have two flags on their cars? Okay, that's an idea. Robert Ong in Toronto, as a soccer novice, I'm excited for this year's World Cup, as it's a once in a lifetime opportunity to have it here on home soil. In fact, I originally planned to travel to all the host cities across North America during the World Cup. Unfortunately, the return of President Trump caused me to cancel those travel plans. However, I'm still looking forward to watching as many matches as I can with friends.

Janet Carr in Paris Sound, Ontario, while I do appreciate the positive aspects of international sports competition, I have almost zero interest in the World Cup or professional sports in general. It's just not my thing. As a former Torontoian, I certainly don't miss having to endure the annoyance of honking horns and yelling fans at all hours. I quietly say, go Canada, go.

Chris Taylor in Toronto. Canadian teams in the NHL playoffs in the World Cup are about the only sporting events I bother getting excited about. My family was living in Geneva when Switzerland and Austria hosted the Euro Cup in 2008. And I can tell you, Toronto was nowhere near the excitement and hype of the host city.

But I will get to watch Switzerland play Canada this year. Cherif al-Adala-Zim in Guelph. In most countries, your week is anchored around football. Millions still talk about Baggio's penalty. Italy's Roberto Baggio missed a penalty shot in the 1994 FIFA World Cup final, allowing Brazil to win. Babito's dance, after scoring a crucial goal and a 3-2 final victory

against the Netherlands in 1994, Brazilian legend Babito ran to the sideline and began rhythmically rocking his arms back and forth to mimic cradling an infant. Countless moments. North America is the odd one in an echo chamber. The same sport everywhere,

yet every nation develops its own style. Brazil's joy, Italy's defeckel, defense, Germany's discipline, a grim world that only sees revenue. Yes, I follow the World Cup. John Dunn in Cali, Alberta, west of Luthbridge, if the estimate of more than a billion dollars in public spending for Canada's share of the World Cup is accurate, taxpayers could be spending roughly $3,000 for each overseas visitor. By comparison, Montreal's Canadian Grand Prix appears to attract international visitors for something closer to $100 of taxpayer support. per overseas visitor. Whatever their merits of Toronto and Vancouver

hosting the World Cup, that's a striking disparity. Ahmed Telabi in Montreal, my family and I are thrilled because all three of our nationalities, Canada, Japan, and Iraq, are represented at the World Cup. However, when Trump was given

the so-called FIFA Peace Award and seeing the U.S. government's intense discrimination against certain teams highlights how inseparable sports can be from politics. That said, I'm optimistic about Canada's role in uniting people for peace, even only for a moment. Deb Greening, a district of Lakeland, Saskatchewan. I'll admit I'm not a sports fan,

but members of my family are, so it's part of our lives. I get the camaraderie of the fan and loyalty thing, but it's the tribal aspects that are so easily manipulated by politicians that makes that passion, Dangerous. FIFA's relationship with Trump is far too reminiscent of Hitler's with the Olympics. That and the excessive greed and elitism makes me wish it away from Canada.

Leona Boyd in Toronto, yes, that Leona Boyd. I have great nostalgia about the World Cup as my parents always watched it on TV. They were huge fans of Maradona. I also remember fondly watching Mexican boys play soccer when I was in San Miguel, Mexico, in the 1960s. This inspired me to write a song called Maradonna for my album, Love, as a tribute to soccer fans around the world.

Diego Maradona, of course, was a legend in Argentina. He died in 2020 at the age of 60. Leona Boyd's song was released in 2022. Ralph Lee or Lay in Toronto. Yes, the cost is high. Spend on sports, not armaments. Unlike the professional teams, where the richest can buy success, World Cups can produce memorable upsets.

The world's biggest sporting event, we will see underdog success, shootouts, and last-minute goals, creating spot history. Messi, Argentina, Ronaldo, Portugal. Mababe, pronounced Mbapé, in France, Mbapé. All in one tournament. And that's not even mentioning Harry Kane from England. Did I say Harry Kane? Ad boy, Harry.

Can't get any better. Greg Rogers in Toronto. I grew up in the maritime. Soccer was not a sport we played much, so I never paid much attention to it. 30 years ago, my wife and I moved into a heavily Italian and Portuguese neighborhood in Toronto. Now I look very forward to each World Cup or Euro Cup,

as the neighborhood goes wild. I love it and cheer along enthusiastically. Great fun. Beautiful game. The world comes together. Go Canada. Ken Malagos in Regina. I don't like the amount of dollars used for the World Cup in Canada. I like the IOC, FIFA. Sorry, like the IOC. FIFA is an elitist club. So do I encourage taxpayers to support these clubs? No. Yet soccer brings joy to millions and will unite a nation. I won't watch, yet I will have a smile if Canada wins or puts in a good effort in a game. I might cheer, though, if it's against the USA. Canada could theoretically play a game against the U.S.,

but not in a preliminary round. Vince B.Lange in Colonna, BC. I find it very difficult to get excited about the World Cup. Not only... That was me. I pushed the wrong button. I got so excited by all this talk about soccer.

Now, where was I? I think I was with Vince B.G. So let me start him over again. I find it very difficult to get excited about the World Cup. Not only is FIFA a wholly corrupt organization, but the mistreatment of players and officials trying to enter the United States and being subjected to humiliating searches

and ultimately denial is sickening. Mark Nortem in Listowell, Ontario. I love soccer. It's great to see this sport become more popular. Previous years, my family's team to cheer for was the Netherlands, because it was where our family originated. Now that Canada is in the mix, it will be Canada number one, and the Netherlands, a close second.

Netherlands is always a great team. Virginia Campana in Calgary, the World Cup is very meaningful to me. My son has always loved soccer. We watched the 1998 World Cup series together, where we developed a love for the French team. Since then, he and I have always watched the World Cup final together. Of course, we now cheer for Canada, but after that, France and England, where I was born, so was I.

It's very emotional for me. My son is actually going to a game this year. And our last letter from Peter Johnson in Upper Oxford Mills. That's about 45 minutes south of Ottawa. I think that the IOC and FIFA are excellent money-generating organizations. But they get all the money and the host gets stuck with a very large bill. Thanks to U.S. immigration, there are already problems. FIFA, in its lust for,

the mighty American dollar will regret this year's event being held there. I wish we had not taken part. So you're probably wondering how the feelings that are being expressed today on your turn, your feelings, kind of match with any polling data or any real research that's been done. Because as we always say, your turn does not pretend. to be an accurate sample of Canadian public opinion. But thanks to our crack research team,

that means Mark Bulguch, here are a couple of opinion polls that have been done by reputable companies on the similar questions about Canadian interest in the World Cup. In a poll released by the Angus Reed Institute, seven out of 10 surveyed in Metro Vancouver and Greater Toronto,

the two cities that are hosting for Canada, say they don't think the cost of hosting the FIFA World Cup in their community is worth it. Seven out of ten. And a Polara Strategic Insights poll said just 38% of people surveyed said they were excited about the World Cup in Canada, compared to 51% that were not,

an 11% that were unsure. But about two-thirds, of new Canadians polled, 63% are looking forward to the tournament. Similarly, 62% of GTA residents, that's, you know, around Toronto, and 64% of those in the lower mainland around Vancouver, were excited about hosting the matches. So there you go. You've heard the feelings of the bridge listeners who wrote in this week,

and you've heard the stats that are published by a couple of the countries leading research firms. I'll put it this way. As I said earlier in the program, if Canada does well in their first game, it will generate a new degree of interest. Nobody's going to back away from their feelings about FIFA and the corrupt nature that has been proven, time and again.

but when it comes down to thy game and it is a beautiful game I had similar feelings about Soca when I started watching that oh man this is slow it takes forever to get going

but then there can be an instant of a spectacular play I think it could be a goalie save it could be a striker's shot it could be a header it could be any number of different things that take your breath away It can be that exciting.

Well, you're going to see some of the best players in the world when they're not feigning injury. They're making spectacular plays. You know, I keep talking about Harry Kane, and I know there are different feelings about Harry Kane from England. But this guy just had an unbelievable season. I think for club and country, he scored, what, 67 goals? You know, that's Gretzky-like numbers.

when Gretzky was a player and scored, what, 92 goals in one season. So Harry Kane is a striker. Get him around the net or taking a penalty shot. He's almost unstoppable. I think this year from the penalty area, he only missed one. One goal. Anyway. Now, if Canada goes out, flames out right away, that's not going to help.

but let's get behind Canada for game one, see what happens. And as we get closer to the finals, and that takes a while, it takes weeks. But when we get there, you'll see the best in the world. And hopefully it'll be a great game when you get to the final, whoever's in it. All right, that's going to deal with today's program.

Tomorrow, Friday, good talk. Second last of the season before we take the summer hiatus. So Chantal Bruce will be here. Tomorrow for Good Talk. You don't want to miss that. And you rarely ever miss it, quite frankly. Extremely popular. That and Dr. Stein on Mondays.

Those are our two most popular programs, by far. Okay, that'll do it for today. I'm Peter Mansbridge. Thanks so much for listening. Good talk will be here in less than 24 hours. See you then.