Earlier today, as I reported on CBC, the CSA has already had conversations with FIFA about hosting the next available World Cup. It's still a long ways off but the fact they are already in the planning stages is an indication of the commitment new CSA president Victor Montagliani has to the Canadian national teams.
And on that note, he put to rest recent fears about preparation in this qualification campaign.
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Montagliani confirmed to CSN that the men's national team will play a friendly in August as part of its lead up to the upcoming World Cup qualifier matches. As late as last month it was being suggested that the CSA would not have the funds to be able to send the women's team to the Olympics and arrange a friendly for the men. Something that set off alarm bells around Canadian soccer, when it became apparent that all of Canada's opponents would be playing at least one match. Montagliani says that isn't the case.
"I can't tell you who the teams are right now that we are speaking to because we are looking at four different countries. But I can confirm that the game will take place in this hemisphere," Montagliani said.
Given that the international friendly dates are August 14 and 15 - only three days before the start of the English Premier League and around the same time as most of the European campaigns - it's a safe bet to assume that with the fixture location being on this continent that most of the squad will be called from this region as well.
An official announcement is expected in the next three weeks.
Editor's Note:
As there has been confusion over the wording in the second paragraph I would like to clarify a few things. It had been suggested to me last month (from a reliable source) that because the CSA was financially committed to sending the women's team to London that a friendly for the Men's team would not be possible. Stephen Hart's comments about a friendly not being imminent appeared to support that. Victor Montagliani, when asked, confirmed that it was never the case.
I hope this clarifies any confusion that has arisen from this article.