Ukraine Can Use the Canadian Shield Tournament to Put Pressure on Russia’s War

Next summer, the North American continent will host the FIFA World Cup. Canada, the United States, and Mexico will welcome millions of football fans from around the world as 48 national teams compete in football’s most prestigious competition.

To prepare for this tournament, the United States will host the FIFA Club World Cup, where teams from North America, South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia will participate. The competition will be held in June and July 2025.

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Meanwhile, Canada will host the inaugural Canadian Shield Tournament in Toronto, where four national teams will compete for this new trophy. Having already qualified for the World Cup as a co-host, Canada will use the competition as an opportunity to ensure that the national team is match-ready. In addition, Toronto can use the tournament as preparation for next year’s competition, where the city will host six matches throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Joining Canada will be New Zealand, Ivory Coast, and Ukraine. Like Canada, New Zealand has already qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup via the Oceania qualification process. It was the first time Oceania had a direct qualification slot into the FIFA World Cup. Meanwhile, Ivory Coast are on pace to qualify. In the current standings of the African qualification process, Ivory Coast sit at the top of Group F, having won five of their six matches, with a draw in the other. They still have four more matches to play, but if they continue their form, they will qualify for next year’s competition. Given the current status of these three national teams, it is likely that they will utilize their appearances at the Canadian Shield to ensure their players remain match-fit and mentally prepared for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

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This year’s team included 15 participants, 13 of whom are active-duty soldiers wounded in action while defending Ukraine against Russian aggression.

But for Ukraine, the tournament will serve a different purpose. Given the restructuring of the qualification process in Europe, Ukraine will not begin their qualification path until September 2025. Instead, the Ukrainians will use the tournament as a way to serve as unofficial ambassadors for their country.

To date, Russia’s full-scale invasion continues. One-fourth of Ukraine’s total population remains displaced. The Russians have killed tens of thousands of Ukrainians, and numerous cities, villages, and towns have been destroyed. Despite pressure from the international community, Russia continues its devastating war.

In recent months, several world leaders have sought to broker a ceasefire agreement between Russia and Ukraine. In addition, as Canada hosts the Canadian Shield Tournament, dozens of politicians and defense officials will gather in Brussels this week for the annual NATO Defense Ministers Meeting. Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine will be at the top of the agenda.

Despite attempts to call for peace, the Russian Federation’s continued actions suggest that it is disinterested in ending its war. Most recently, Russia launched numerous drone strikes throughout Ukraine on non-military targets, where several Ukrainian civilians were killed and many more were injured. In addition, Russia has continued bombing Ukrainian residential areas to try to force the Ukrainian people to its will.

Given the recent escalations in Russian attacks, the Ukrainians will put a spotlight on Russia’s brutal war, reminding the international community of the atrocities that have occurred. They will remind the world that, despite Ukraine’s willingness to meet with world leaders to discuss an end to the war, Russia’s attacks suggest that it does not want peace. Ukrainians will continue to make their voices heard, documenting the events that are happening in their country, and requesting that the international community provide additional assistance so that it can bring an end to Russia’s madness.

Ukrainians have also expressed their gratitude to the world for its continued solidarity and support. One such country is Canada, which has a vast and prominent Ukrainian diaspora. Throughout the war, the Canadian government has provided tens of billions of dollars in defense, medical, humanitarian, and financial assistance. The Canadians have also stated that they will continue to do whatever it takes to help Ukraine end Russia’s ongoing war. During the Canadian Shield Tournament, it is also likely that Canadian officials will comment on Ukraine’s participation and how Canada will continue its support for Ukraine.

By a similar token, the Ukrainian contingent at the Canadian Shield Tournament can also use the tournament as an avenue to keep the spotlight on Russia’s war. During the competition, the national team players will serve as unofficial ambassadors, representing their country during a difficult period.

Football will not end Russia’s war, and neither will this tournament. But if the Ukrainians perform well during the competition, and if they can bring a smile to their country’s face during this challenging period in history, they will attempt to do so. The tournament will give Ukraine a reason to smile and cheer, and this will make a difference in Ukrainian spirits. Time will tell how the Ukrainian senior men’s national team will perform.

The views expressed are of the author’s and not necessarily of the Kyiv Post.