Canada women's national football team

Canada women's national football team
Country	Canada
Association	Canadian Soccer Association
Confederation	CONCACAF
Coach	Bev Priestman
Captain	Christine Sinclair
Most caps	Christine Sinclair (331)
Top scorer	Christine Sinclair (190)
FIFA code	CAN
FIFA rank	10
FIFA max date	August 2022
FIFA min	13
FIFA min date	December 2017
First game	2–2 United States, (7 July 1986)
Largest win	21–0 Puerto Rico, (28 August 1998)
Largest loss	9–1 , (19 July 1995), 9–1 , (19 May 1995)
World Cup first	1995
World Cup best	Fourth place (2003)
Olympic first	2008
Olympic best	Gold medal (2020)
CONCACAF apps	10
CONCACAF first	1991
CONCACAF best	Winners (1998, 2010)

Contents

History
Team image
Results and fixtures
Players
Honours
See also
References

Canada women's national football team represents Canada in international women's association football and is governed by the Canadian Soccer Association. Nicknamed the "CanWNT" or "Les Rouges," the team has been a consistent power in the CONCACAF region and a respected competitor on the global stage. Its greatest achievement is winning the gold medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics, held in Tokyo in 2021, under the guidance of head coach Bev Priestman. The team is synonymous with its legendary captain and all-time international scoring leader, Christine Sinclair.

History

The team's first official match was a 2–2 draw against the United States women's national soccer team in Blaine, Minnesota in 1986. Early milestones included qualifying for the inaugural 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup in Sweden and winning its first major trophy at the 1998 CONCACAF Women's Championship. A defining era began under coach Even Pellerud, who led the team to a fourth-place finish at the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup in the United States, a tournament highlighted by a famous victory over China in the quarter-finals. Subsequent coaches like John Herdman and Kenneth Heiner-Møller built a program known for its resilience, culminating in back-to-back Olympic bronze medals at London 2012 and Rio 2016. The program reached its zenith at the 2020 Summer Olympics by defeating Sweden in the final to claim the gold medal, a historic first for CONCACAF.

Team image

The team's traditional home kit features the iconic Maple Leaf and the red and white colors of the Flag of Canada. Major kit suppliers have included Umbro, Nike, and currently Canadian Tire. The squad is renowned for its strong team culture and mental fortitude, often referred to as a "band of sisters." This identity was forged through significant challenges, including a high-profile labor dispute with the Canadian Soccer Association in 2016 over equitable support and pay, which led to landmark improvements for the women's program. The team's success and advocacy have significantly elevated the profile of women's football across the nation.

Results and fixtures

The team maintains a busy schedule in the FIFA International Match Calendar, featuring high-profile friendlies against top nations like the United States, England, and France. Its competitive cycle is built around major tournaments such as the FIFA Women's World Cup, the Olympic Games, and the CONCACAF W Gold Cup. Recent notable results include a runner-up finish at the inaugural 2024 CONCACAF W Gold Cup, losing the final to the United States at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego.

Players

The current squad is a blend of veteran leadership and emerging talent. Iconic captain Christine Sinclair, the world's all-time leading international scorer, retired in 2023 after a record 331 caps. The team's core includes stalwarts like goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan, defender Kadeisha Buchanan of Chelsea, and midfielder Jessie Fleming of Portland Thorns FC. A new generation is led by dynamic forwards such as Jordyn Huitema of Seattle Reign FC and Cloé Lacasse of Arsenal W.F.C.. Selection is primarily drawn from players competing in leagues like the National Women's Soccer League in the United States and top European divisions.

Honours

The team's trophy cabinet includes the gold medal from the 2020 Summer Olympics and bronze medals from the 2012 Summer Olympics and 2016 Summer Olympics. In continental competition, it has won the CONCACAF Women's Championship twice, in 1998 and 2010. It has also claimed multiple titles at the Cyprus Women's Cup and the Tournoi de France. At the FIFA Women's World Cup, its best performance remains fourth place at the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup.

References

Category:Women's national association football teams Category:National sports teams of Canada Category:CONCACAF women's national association football teams