Spiraling Scandal of Drone Spying at Olympics Poses Threat to Canadian Soccer’s Reputation Leading Up to 2026 World Cup

Canadian soccer officials from both the men’s and women’s national teams confessed to FIFA about the regular practice of spying on opponents. The women’s team, in particular, faced repercussions for using drones during the Paris Olympics.

This drone-spying scandal could potentially extend beyond the Olympics to impact the men’s team at the 2026 World Cup, where Canada is set to co-host the tournament alongside the United States and Mexico.

Despite winning their initial two games against New Zealand and France, Canada faced a six-point penalty imposed by FIFA for spying on New Zealand’s practices before their first match. This penalty was upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

While the players can still strive to defend their Olympic title on the field, the integrity of Canada’s soccer reputation took a significant blow and may be further tarnished by ongoing investigations.

FIFA released a detailed document outlining the evidence behind the harsh Olympic penalties. Canada’s appeal at CAS failed to reverse the six-point deduction, hefty fine, and bans imposed on key personnel.

The women’s team’s use of surveillance drones was acknowledged as a long-standing practice that they believed gave them an edge in matches. FIFA’s findings deemed these actions as unacceptable and inexcusable.

There were indications of similar scouting tactics being employed by the men’s team, connecting head coach Bev Priestman to John Herdman, the coach of MLS club Toronto. Herdman transitioned from leading the women’s team to coaching the men’s team in the 2022 World Cup.