Cathal Kelly - Page 3 - The Globe and Mail

Cathal Kelly

StaffColumnistToronto, Canada

ckelly@globeandmail.com

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Cathal Kelly is a columnist for The Globe and Mail.

Cathal Kelly abides by The Globe and Mail Editorial Code of Conduct

Latest articles

June 22, 2026

Jesse Marsch's post-match celebrations after his team's win over Qatar rubbed some people the wrong way.

Jesse Marsch's post-match celebrations after his team's win over Qatar rubbed some people the wrong way.

opinion

Monday morning halfback: Choosing early World Cup standouts, good and bad

Cathal Kelly and Jamie Ross

5 min read

June 19, 2026

Canada head coach Jesse Marsch holds up six digits to indicate the final score of Thursday's lopsided World Cup match against Qatar.

Canada head coach Jesse Marsch holds up six digits to indicate the final score of Thursday's lopsided World Cup match against Qatar.

opinion

Give Canada a mulligan for going overboard with World Cup win celebration

Cathal Kelly

4 min read

June 18, 2026

Canada's Cyle Larin opened scoring in Thursday's match against Qatar and his team didn't look back, rolling to a 6-0 win in Vancouver.

Canada's Cyle Larin opened scoring in Thursday's match against Qatar and his team didn't look back, rolling to a 6-0 win in Vancouver.

opinion

Canada isn’t just in this World Cup. It’s in the mix

Cathal Kelly

4 min read

June 17, 2026

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group L - England v Croatia - Dallas Stadium, Arlington, Texas, U.S. - June 17, 2026 England manager Thomas Tuchel gives instructions to England players during the second half hydration break REUTERS/Issei Kato

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group L - England v Croatia - Dallas Stadium, Arlington, Texas, U.S. - June 17, 2026 England manager Thomas Tuchel gives instructions to England players during the second half hydration break REUTERS/Issei Kato

opinion

By introducing hydration breaks at the World Cup, FIFA’s money-making motor is just getting started

Cathal Kelly

5 min read

June 17, 2026

FILE - Los Angeles Kings head coach Jim Hiller stands behind the bench during an NHL hockey game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Jan. 1, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea, File)

FILE - Los Angeles Kings head coach Jim Hiller stands behind the bench during an NHL hockey game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Jan. 1, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea, File)

opinion

Coaching the Leafs should be among the most coveted jobs in the NHL. It doesn’t feel like it is

Cathal Kelly

5 min read

June 16, 2026

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group I - France v Senegal - New York/New Jersey Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S. - June 16, 2026 France's Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/Dylan Martinez TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group I - France v Senegal - New York/New Jersey Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S. - June 16, 2026 France's Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/Dylan Martinez TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

opinion

Mbappé showed up and made this expanded World Cup watchable

Cathal Kelly

5 min read

June 15, 2026

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 14: Mitch Marner #93 of the Vegas Golden Knights talks to the official during the second period against the Carolina Hurricanes in Game Six of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on June 14, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 14: Mitch Marner #93 of the Vegas Golden Knights talks to the official during the second period against the Carolina Hurricanes in Game Six of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on June 14, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

opinion

Marner’s old playoff habits resurface to somewhat let the Leafs off the hook

Cathal Kelly

4 min read

June 15, 2026

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group B - Canada v Bosnia and Herzegovina - Toronto Stadium, Toronto, Canada - June 12, 2026 Canada's Luc de Fougerolles stands next to a sprinkler on the pitch during the second half hydration break REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group B - Canada v Bosnia and Herzegovina - Toronto Stadium, Toronto, Canada - June 12, 2026 Canada's Luc de Fougerolles stands next to a sprinkler on the pitch during the second half hydration break REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo

opinion

Monday morning halfback: Hydration breaks, watered-down competition highlight World Cup kickoff

Cathal Kelly and Jamie Ross

5 min read

June 14, 2026

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 12: Tom Cruise, David and Victoria Beckham pictured during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium on June 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 12: Tom Cruise, David and Victoria Beckham pictured during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium on June 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

opinion

Far removed from the pitch, David Beckham remains soccer’s biggest star

Cathal Kelly

4 min read

June 13, 2026

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group B - Canada v Bosnia and Herzegovina - Toronto Stadium, Toronto, Canada - June 12, 2026 Canada coach Jesse Marsch reacts REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group B - Canada v Bosnia and Herzegovina - Toronto Stadium, Toronto, Canada - June 12, 2026 Canada coach Jesse Marsch reacts REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo

opinion

Canada should embrace the U.S. grudge and fight, fight, fight

Cathal Kelly

5 min read

June 12, 2026

Tajon Buchanan runs with the ball followed by Bosnia-Herzegovina's Amar Memic.

Tajon Buchanan runs with the ball followed by Bosnia-Herzegovina's Amar Memic.

opinion

Canada picks up the greatest draw in national history

Cathal Kelly

4 min read

June 11, 2026

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Toronto Harbour, Toronto, Canada - June 11, 2026 The flags of participating countries are pictured at the fan zone on the Toronto harbourfront as the CN Tower is seen in the background REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Toronto Harbour, Toronto, Canada - June 11, 2026 The flags of participating countries are pictured at the fan zone on the Toronto harbourfront as the CN Tower is seen in the background REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo

opinion

At home World Cup, Canada’s soccer team will speak on the country’s behalf

Cathal Kelly

5 min read

June 10, 2026

FIFA President Gianni Infantino held a press conference in Mexico City on Wednesday, a day before the opening FIFA World Cup match between Mexico and South Africa.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino held a press conference in Mexico City on Wednesday, a day before the opening FIFA World Cup match between Mexico and South Africa.

opinion

FIFA president offers no apologies at this eat-what-you-kill World Cup

Cathal Kelly

4 min read

June 10, 2026

Canada's Alphonso Davies plays in a match against Croatia at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Canada's Alphonso Davies plays in a match against Croatia at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

opinion

Has Canada learned from its 2022 World Cup performance?

Cathal Kelly

5 min read

June 9, 2026

Babcock, seen here behind the Leafs bench in 2019, wouldn't be the same fiery coach in Edmonton in 2026, Cathal Kelly writes.

Babcock, seen here behind the Leafs bench in 2019, wouldn't be the same fiery coach in Edmonton in 2026, Cathal Kelly writes.

opinion

If Mike Babcock joins the Oilers, Connor McDavid gets a yell-by-proxy voice

Cathal Kelly

4 min read

June 8, 2026

Canada defender Zorhan Bassong (27) dribbles the ball during an international friendly soccer match against Ireland in Montreal, Friday, June 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)

Canada defender Zorhan Bassong (27) dribbles the ball during an international friendly soccer match against Ireland in Montreal, Friday, June 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)

opinion

It’s not just Canadian players anticipating a World Cup moment

Cathal Kelly

5 min read

June 7, 2026

Brianna Turner (right) of the Las Vegas Aces was critical of the possibility of the WNBA having its players wearing patches on their uniforms to celebrate America's 250th anniversary, citing the lack of rights that women had in 1776.

Brianna Turner (right) of the Las Vegas Aces was critical of the possibility of the WNBA having its players wearing patches on their uniforms to celebrate America's 250th anniversary, citing the lack of rights that women had in 1776.

opinion

Trying to sell politics is never a win for pro leagues

Cathal Kelly

4 min read

June 6, 2026

Canada paid a lot to co-host the World Cup, which will probably never happen again, writes Cathal Kelly. Hit a patio, walk the streets and embrace the experience.

Canada paid a lot to co-host the World Cup, which will probably never happen again, writes Cathal Kelly. Hit a patio, walk the streets and embrace the experience.

opinion

Canada’s duties during the World Cup: Party and win one game

Cathal Kelly

5 min read

June 5, 2026

Toronto's downtown skyline can be seen from Toronto Stadium earlier this week. Canada's World Cup is set to start here next Friday.

Toronto's downtown skyline can be seen from Toronto Stadium earlier this week. Canada's World Cup is set to start here next Friday.

opinion

Toronto best be prepared for a summer of World Cup suffering

Cathal Kelly

5 min read

June 5, 2026

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - MAY 11: An aerial view of Mexico City Stadium on May 11, 2026 in Mexico City, Mexico. The Mexico City Stadium, officially named Estadio Banorte or better known by its former name, Estadio Azteca, was designed by architects Pedro Ramírez Vazquez and Rafael Mijares Alcerreca. The stadium will host the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking its third World Cup appearance. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)

What to know about the World Cup groups, from A to L

12 min read