Derek Van Diest

LATEST STORIES BY DEREK VAN DIEST

Canada Soccer in another player dispute leading into a FIFA World Cup

This time, it’s the women’s national soccer team who are at odds with the national governing body, going on strike Friday over financial cutbacks to the program

February 11, 2023 Soccer

Canada's Christine Sinclair, left, is congratulated by teammate Ashley Lawrence after scoring her side's opening goal against Trinidad and Tobago during a CONCACAF Women's Championship soccer match in Monterrey, Mexico, Tuesday, July 5, 2022.

CANADA SOCCER: Women's team prepares for monumental year

The defending Olympic gold medal champs are confident heading towards the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand

February 1, 2023 Soccer

Canada's Julia Grosso, left, celebrates scoring her second goal with Jordyn Huitema against Trinidad and Tobago at the Concacaf W Championship at the BBVA Stadium in Monterrey, Mexico, on July 5, 2022.

WORLD CUP: Fitting end to fantastic tournament

An event marred in controversy from the day this small Gulf nation was awarded the rights to hold the tournament came together better than anyone expected with Lionel Messi winning his long-awaited World Cup title, cementing his legacy as one of the best to ever play the game.

with Video

December 19, 2022 Soccer

Argentina's captain and forward #10 Lionel Messi (C) lifts the FIFA World Cup Trophy on stage as he celebrates with teammates after they won the Qatar 2022 World Cup final football match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on December 18, 2022.

WORLD CUP: Mbappe single-handedly nearly pulls off upset for France

LUSAIL, Qatar — With the Golden Boot trophy in his hand and a silver medal around his next, Kylian Mbappe couldn’t hide his disappointment.

December 19, 2022 Soccer

France's forward Kylian Mbappe reacts after losing in the penalty shootout of the Qatar 2022 World Cup football final against Argentina at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022.

WORLD CUP: Messi and Argentina win best final in history of tournament

Argentina blew a two-goal lead, then another in extra time, but won decisively in a penalty shootout to defeat France after the teams finished 120-minutes of exhilarating play deadlocked at 3-3.

with Video

December 18, 2022 Soccer

Lionel Messi and Argentina players celebrate after the team's victory through the penalty shootout in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar.

WORLD CUP: Croatia happy to finish third after disappointing semifinal

With aging stars and a fresh batch of new faces, Croatia was never really considered a contender to win the title, so finishing third was a massive accomplishment

December 18, 2022 Soccer

Croatia's Luka Modric and teammates celebrate with their medals as they finish in third place at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar on Dec. 17. 2022.

WORLD CUP: France look to play spoiler in final against Messi

When most in the stands and many around the planet are hoping the other team wins, giving one of the best and most beloved players of all time the only championship that has eluded him in a storied career, France has been slotted into a spoiler role.

December 18, 2022 Soccer

France's coach Didier Deschamps (C) speaks with France's forward #10 Kylian Mbappe during a training session at the Al Sadd SC training centre in Doha on December 17, 2022, on the eve of the Qatar 2022 World Cup football final match between Argentina and France.

WORLD CUP: Argentina inspired to win Sunday's final for Lionel Messi

On Sunday, Argentina will try to win its first World Cup since Diego Maradona led the country to the title in 1986

December 18, 2022 Soccer

Argentina's forward #10 Lionel Messi (L) and Argentina's midfielder #20 Alexis Mac Allister take part in a training session at Qatar University training site 3 in Doha on December 17, 2022, on the eve of the Qatar 2022 World Cup football final match between Argentina and France.

Corner Kicks: Is this Lionel Messi's World Cup moment?

WATCH BELOW as Postmedia’s Rob Wong chats with National Soccer Columnist Derek Van Diest who is in Qatar covering the World Cup. They discuss what a World Cup win would mean for the legacies of Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe and who Derek thinks will win between Argentina and France.

with Video

December 16, 2022 Soccer

Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates scoring their team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group C match between Argentina and Mexico at Lusail Stadium on November 26, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar.

WORLD CUP: Dream final pits defending champs France against Lionel Messi's Argentina

The two teams were set on a collision course to meet in the final of the 2022 tournament when the draw for the 32-team tournament took place in March

December 16, 2022 Soccer

Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates scoring the first goal from the penalty spot against Morocco.

Derek Van Diest

LATEST STORIES BY DEREK VAN DIEST

Canada Soccer in another player dispute leading into a FIFA World Cup

CANADA SOCCER: Women's team prepares for monumental year

WORLD CUP: Fitting end to fantastic tournament

WORLD CUP: Mbappe single-handedly nearly pulls off upset for France

WORLD CUP: Messi and Argentina win best final in history of tournament

WORLD CUP: Croatia happy to finish third after disappointing semifinal

WORLD CUP: France look to play spoiler in final against Messi

WORLD CUP: Argentina inspired to win Sunday's final for Lionel Messi

Corner Kicks: Is this Lionel Messi's World Cup moment?

WORLD CUP: Dream final pits defending champs France against Lionel Messi's Argentina

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