Do Canadians Call It Soccer? A Deep Dive into Terminology

For sports enthusiasts and cultural observers alike, the linguistic divide regarding the world’s most popular game is a point of frequent discussion.

In Canada, the question of whether to use “soccer” or “football” is not merely a matter of preference but is deeply rooted in the nation’s sporting history and geographic context. While the global standard leans heavily toward football, the North American landscape presents a different reality.

By examining statistical data, regional nuances, and the official stance of governing bodies, we can uncover how Canadians navigate this terminology and why the term “soccer” remains the definitive choice for the majority.

The Statistical Reality: Why “Soccer” Rules the North

To understand the Canadian perspective, one must first look at the hard data. The majority of the population—approximately 60%—refers to the sport as soccer.

This isn’t an accidental choice but a reflection of a deeply ingrained linguistic habit that separates the game played with a round ball from other prominent North American sports.

While about 38% of Canadians do use the term “football,” they often find themselves in the minority during casual conversation or when interacting with national media outlets.

This 60-38 split highlights a significant but not absolute consensus, suggesting that while “soccer” is the standard, a substantial portion of the population feels a connection to the global nomenclature.

The Motivation Behind the Label

The primary driver for the use of “soccer” in Canada is practical rather than ideological. According to the data, 71% of those who use the term “soccer” do so specifically to distinguish the sport from North American gridiron football.

In the Canadian sports landscape, “football” is frequently synonymous with the Canadian Football League (CFL) or the American National Football League (NFL).

Because these sports hold massive cultural capital and television airtime, using the word “football” for soccer would lead to immediate confusion in a professional or social setting.

By adopting “soccer,” Canadians ensure clarity, allowing the distinct identities of both gridiron and the “beautiful game” to coexist without linguistic overlap.

Official Branding and the FIFA Connection

Canada occupies a unique position on the international stage. It is one of the very few English-speaking FIFA affiliates that officially incorporates the word “soccer” into its governing body’s title: Canada Soccer.

This is a notable departure from the majority of FIFA’s 211 member associations, most of which use “Football Association” or a variation thereof.

Comparison with Other English-Speaking Nations

The only other major English-speaking FIFA affiliate to mirror this naming convention is the United States, with the United States Soccer Federation.

In contrast, countries like England (The FA), Australia (Football Australia), and New Zealand (New Zealand Football) have either always used or recently transitioned to “football” to align with global standards.

Canada’s decision to remain with “Canada Soccer” reinforces the term’s domestic legitimacy. It signals to both citizens and the international community that the term “soccer” is the professional and cultural standard within the country’s borders.

The Generational Gap in Terminology

Language is never static, and the Canadian soccer lexicon is heavily influenced by age demographics. Interestingly, the strongest proponents of the word “soccer” are the older generations. Data indicates that 68% of Canadians over the age of 60 prefer the term “soccer”.

This generational entrenchment likely stems from the era in which these individuals grew up. During the mid-to-late 20th century, the CFL enjoyed a “golden age” of popularity in Canada, and the distinction between the two sports was a fundamental part of the sports media landscape.

For this demographic, “football” has always been the game played on a 110-yard field with three downs, making “soccer” the only logical name for the FIFA-sanctioned sport.

The Shift Among Younger Fans

While “soccer” remains dominant, the 38% of the population that uses “football” tends to skew younger and more globally connected.

With the rise of the internet and the accessibility of European leagues like the English Premier League or the UEFA Champions League, younger Canadians are increasingly exposed to the international term.

However, despite this exposure, the “soccer” label remains the majority choice across the board because the domestic infrastructure—from youth clubs to the national team—remains branded under the soccer umbrella.

Quebec: The Linguistic Outlier

When analyzing Canadian trends, Quebec almost always presents a unique case due to its French-speaking majority.

In the context of the soccer vs. football debate, Quebec is the least likely region to use the term “football” to describe the sport played with a round ball.

In Quebec, only 13% of residents use the term “football” for the game, while a staggering 87% avoid it. This is largely because the word “soccer” is perfectly integrated into the French language in North America.

While people in France say “le foot” or “le football,” Quebecers have historically embraced “le soccer” to distinguish it from “le football américain” or “le football canadien.”

Regional Sentiment and Gridiron Popularity

Quebec’s preference for “soccer” is also tied to the deep-rooted popularity of gridiron football in the province, particularly at the collegiate level (RSEQ) and with the Montreal Alouettes of the CFL.

By maintaining a strict linguistic boundary between “le soccer” and “le football,” Quebecers preserve the distinct cultural space that each sport occupies.

This regional data suggests that the further east you go in Canada, the more likely you are to hear “soccer” used as the exclusive term.

The Influence of Professional Leagues (CFL vs. MLS)

The presence of domestic professional leagues plays a massive role in shaping how Canadians speak. For over a century, the Canadian Football League (CFL) has defined what “football” means in a Canadian context.

The Grey Cup remains one of the most-watched sporting events in the country, cementing the “football” brand as a gridiron-centric entity.

The Rise of Major League Soccer (MLS)

Conversely, the success of Major League Soccer (MLS) teams like Toronto FC, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, and CF Montréal has solidified “soccer” as the commercial and professional standard. When these clubs were founded or rebranded, they leaned into the North American naming convention.

It is important to note (based on general knowledge of the sports industry) that while some clubs internationally use “FC” (Football Club) in their names, the leagues they play in and the media that cover them in Canada almost universally use “soccer” to describe the product.

This dual-branding—using “FC” in a name but “soccer” in conversation—allows clubs to acknowledge global traditions while remaining accessible to the 60% of Canadians who use the domestic term.

Global Context and Future Projections

As Canada prepares to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, there is much speculation about whether the terminology will shift. When the world’s eyes are on Canada, and millions of fans arrive calling the sport “football,” will Canadians follow suit?

Currently, there is no data to suggest a mass migration away from the word “soccer.” The practical need to distinguish the sport from gridiron football remains as strong as ever.

Furthermore, with Canada Soccer being the official name of the governing body, any shift would require a massive institutional rebranding.

Why the Term Will Likely Persist

The persistence of the term “soccer” is a testament to Canada’s ability to maintain a distinct cultural identity while being part of a global community.

Much like the use of the metric system alongside imperial measurements in certain industries, Canadians are comfortable with a “hybrid” linguistic existence.

They understand what the world means by “football,” but they choose “soccer” for the sake of clarity and tradition within their own borders.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do Canadians call it soccer or football?

The majority (60%) call it soccer, while approximately 38% refer to it as football.

Why don’t Canadians just use the term “football”?

The main reason is to avoid confusion with Canadian and American gridiron football. Approximately 71% of people who say “soccer” do so for this specific reason.

What is the official name of the sport’s governing body in Canada?

The official name is Canada Soccer. Canada is one of the few FIFA members to use “soccer” in its official title.

Is the term “football” more popular in certain parts of Canada?

Actually, the term is least popular in Quebec, where only 13% of people use it. In most of the country, “soccer” remains the prevailing term.

Do older or younger Canadians prefer the term “soccer”?

Older Canadians are more likely to use the term. Among those over 60, 68% prefer “soccer”.

The Verdict: A Nation Defined by Clarity

In the end, the question “Do Canadians call it soccer?” is answered with a resounding yes. While the 38% minority that uses “football” reflects Canada’s connection to the global community, the 60% majority represents the practical reality of living in a North American sports culture.

Whether you are in the streets of Montreal or a stadium in Vancouver, “soccer” is the word that brings people together on the pitch. It is a term that respects the heritage of the Canadian Football League while allowing the world’s game to flourish under its own unique Canadian banner.

As the sport continues to grow in popularity across the country, “soccer” remains not just a word, but a pillar of the Canadian sporting lexicon.