Canada now truly a soccer country, says record goal-scorer Sinclair

Canada’s march to the World Cup last 16—earned after Stephen Eustaquio scored in stoppage time to beat South Africa—was met with immediate confidence from Christine Sinclair, the team’s leading all-time scorer. Sinclair told Reuters on June 29 (Vancouver time) that she believed Canada would progress and linked the moment to being ready for a potential next match. The Canadians, co-hosting the tournament with the United States and Mexico, will face either the Netherlands or Morocco in Texas in the last 16. Sinclair said the success is helping shift Canada’s sports identity in an ice-hockey-dominant country, with fans “totally united.” She highlighted that she and the women’s team built momentum, including a 2015 World Cup and Tokyo Olympic gold. With 190 goals in 331 caps, the 43-year-old said infrastructure remains a challenge, particularly for suitable stadiums and training facilities outside major cities.