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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 28, 2026

Stephen Eustaquio (7) celebrates his winning goal in the waning minutes of Canada's knockout matchup with South Africa at the World Cup in Los Angeles on Sunday.

Stephen Eustaquio (7) celebrates his winning goal in the waning minutes of Canada's knockout matchup with South Africa at the World Cup in Los Angeles on Sunday.

Canada strikes late to overcome South Africa, extend groundbreaking World Cup run

3 min read

June 27, 2026

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 27: Alphonso Davies #19 of Canada ties his laces during training one day ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between South Africa and Canada at Carson Sports Park on June 27, 2026 in Carson, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 27: Alphonso Davies #19 of Canada ties his laces during training one day ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between South Africa and Canada at Carson Sports Park on June 27, 2026 in Carson, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

opinion

Time running short for Alphonso Davies to leave his mark on Canada’s World Cup

Cathal Kelly

4 min read

June 26, 2026

Ecuador's win over Germany in a riveting World Cup match on Thursday propelled the country into the knockout stage and prompted the president to declare Friday a national holiday.

Ecuador's win over Germany in a riveting World Cup match on Thursday propelled the country into the knockout stage and prompted the president to declare Friday a national holiday.

opinion

Supersized World Cup bracket proves you can’t have too much of a good thing

Cathal Kelly

5 min read

June 25, 2026

Canada head coach Jesse Marsch, left, talks with a match official during the World Cup Group B soccer match between Switzerland and Canada in Vancouver, British Columbia, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Sydney Shankman)

Canada head coach Jesse Marsch, left, talks with a match official during the World Cup Group B soccer match between Switzerland and Canada in Vancouver, British Columbia, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Sydney Shankman)

opinion

With Davies decoy claim, Canada Soccer still can’t get out of its own way

Cathal Kelly

5 min read

June 24, 2026

Switzerland's Rubén Vargas (17) took advantage of an open Canadian defence to score the match's first goal on Wednesday. The Swiss went on to a 2-1 win.

Switzerland's Rubén Vargas (17) took advantage of an open Canadian defence to score the match's first goal on Wednesday. The Swiss went on to a 2-1 win.

opinion

Ten disastrous minutes derail Canada’s easy path forward at the World Cup

Cathal Kelly

4 min read

June 23, 2026

opinion

The tension on the FOX Sports set is a reflection of our political climate

Cathal Kelly

5 min read

June 22, 2026

Brothers Brady Tkachuk (left) and Matthew Tkachuk (right) speak during a live interview on stage at The Ellipse near the White House on June 14, 2026 in Washington, DC as part of the festivities of the recently held UFC Freedom 250 event.

Brothers Brady Tkachuk (left) and Matthew Tkachuk (right) speak during a live interview on stage at The Ellipse near the White House on June 14, 2026 in Washington, DC as part of the festivities of the recently held UFC Freedom 250 event.

opinion

Bad Canadian NHL teams are having a moment when it comes to their American talent

Cathal Kelly

4 min read

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