Sports
Nations Cup revisits World Cup mania
Every four years, the World Cup captures the
attention of football (or soccer) fans around the globe.
While the 2018 tournament that played out in
Russia was an exclusively European event from the semifinals forward, North
American footballers were just as tuned in and passionate to cheer on their
favourite side as ever.
But after every World Cup, the same question
is asked: how to transfer that interest here at home.
“I believe the World Cup certainly has the
potential to increase the excitement and atmosphere at the 2018 Nations Cup,”
says Jeff Wilson, chief organizer of the annual Richmond summer soccer
festival, kicking off for the 39th consecutive year July 20 to 22. “It seems to
remind people of the energy and passion that international provides. It’s that
same passion and international flare that the Nations Cup brings.”
From its inception, the Nations Cup has
always been unique. Grouping players based on their ethnic backgrounds or countries
of origin creates an exciting atmosphere that promotes ethnic pride.
Each year, more than 1,000 players and 5,000
spectators converge on parks throughout Richmond to watch the action. Various
age groups take to the pitch to compete for bragging rights, from the Open Age
men’s and women’s divisions, to the men’s Over 30, Over 38, Over 45 and Over 52
divisions.
The same 16 teams that made up the men’s Open
Division in 2017 will again be in the spotlight this year. But while Italy
topped India in last year’s final, there’s no guarantee of a repeat
performance.
“Until the first round of matches kick off on
the evening of July 20, it’s difficult to know which teams might be vying for
the championship,” says Wilson. “That said, there is a very interesting group
to watch in the round-robin stages as several formidable competitors—Germany,
Italy, Ireland and Fiji—all find themselves in Group A.”
Only the top team in that group will advance
to the semifinals, with the others bowing out at the group stage.
The top seeds from each of the other groups
are, of course, also anticipated to be strong, says Wilson. Those top seeds
include Iran, Croatia and Canada.
In the Women's Open division, look for
perennial favourites such as Canada, Ireland, India and England to be among the
top competitors, with newcomer USA, who come up from Seattle, possibly adding
to the mix of contenders.
For team groupings and schedule of the 2018
Nations Cup tournament, click here.