Dear Soccer,

Dear Soccer,

‍

You have been part of my story for as long as I can remember.

I started playing as a little girl, full of energy and big dreams. From the first time I stepped onto the field, I felt something special: a sense of belonging, purpose, and pride. I played until I was fourteen, and even as I grew into adulthood, the lessons the game taught me stayed with me: discipline, teamwork, resilience, and heart.

As life unfolded, my journey changed. Living with a disability made it difficult to continue playing the way I once had. There were moments when that loss felt heavy. Soccer had always been my outlet, my strength, and my confidence. Stepping away from the field was not easy.

But soccer was not finished with me.

When my daughter turned four, I laced up her very first pair of cleats. From the sidelines, I found my way back to the game, this time as a mother. Today, she still plays, and soccer has become the bond that connects us in a way words cannot fully describe. The highlight of my day is driving her to and from practice, standing on the sidelines cheering, helping manage her team, and coaching her at home, not just to be a better player, but to be a strong, kind, and resilient person.

On tough days in our family, soccer has been our constant. It has given us structure when life felt uncertain, strength when we felt small, and hope when we needed it most. It has given my daughter confidence, friendships, and dreams. And it has given me the gift of watching her grow through a sport that once shaped me.

Soccer is more than a game in our home. It is consistency. It is connection. It is healing. It is legacy.

As FIFA 2026 approaches, I reflect on how this global sport links generations, how a little girl who once chased a ball across a field can grow up to pass that same passion on to her child. That is the magic of football. It stays with you. It evolves with you. It carries you forward.

Thank you for creating a stage where stories like ours matter, where the love of the game unites families, communities, and generations.

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With gratitude,
Tiffany

Dear Soccer,

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I still remember the first time my cleats hit the turf, that bright green carpet that felt like a stage. From that very first whistle, you did not just become a sport. You became my favourite place to be.

You gave me a team that feels like a family and moments that will live in my heart forever. There is nothing like the feeling of a perfect pass or the way we all pile on each other after a goal. You gave me the turf burns that I wear like badges of honour, and the sound of the ball hitting the back of the net, which is the best song I have ever heard. Most of all, you gave me a place where I can be loud, fast, and strong, a place where I can fully be myself.

You taught me that I am tougher than I look. Because of you, I know how to pick myself up when I trip or lose the ball. I do not stay down. I sprint back. You taught me to trust myself even when the game is moving fast and to keep my head up. You also showed me how to win and lose, how to celebrate with my friends, and how to walk off the field with my head held high even when the scoreboard does not go our way.

You matter to me because you are where I found my confidence. Whether I am playing under the bright lights or practicing drills until the sun goes down, you are the heartbeat of my week. Even when I grow up and my cleats get bigger, I will never forget the magic of a clean breakaway or the way the air feels when I am running full speed toward the goal.

I will always see you at kickoff.

Thank you for all that you have given me. You are magic.

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Love,
Ayla Kang

Dear Soccer,

‍

You have always been a huge part of my life.

It began in England in elementary school at Gayton Avenue School, then continued in Sunday league with Littleover Dazzlers. Before moving to Canada at 13, soccer was already part of who I was.

Just weeks after arriving in Winnipeg, I played in my first tournament in Calgary. From there, the journey continued through junior high at Sargent Park and high school at Daniel McIntyre. I also played on a Winnipeg rep team called Rebel United and travelled to Sarasota, Florida for exhibition games.

Later, I moved to Kelowna, BC and kept playing through Men’s O35, O45, O55, and now O60s.

Today, one of the greatest joys soccer has given me is the chance to coach my son in Special Olympics. Taking a team of athletes to Whitehorse, Yukon and winning a tournament there is a memory I will always treasure.

You have always been, and will forever be, part of my heart and my family.

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With love for the beautiful game,
Stephen

Dear Soccer,

‍

You are more than a game to me. You are joy, connection, and a reminder that even in difficult places, people can come together and celebrate something beautiful.

During my years as a pediatric nurse at Abbotsford Regional Hospital, I found a special way to share my love for you. When the FIFA World Cup arrived in 2018 and again in 2022, I decided to bring the excitement of the tournament into our hospital unit.

No one asked me to do it. I simply loved watching the world’s best players compete and wanted to share that energy with our young patients, their families, and my fellow staff.

Soon, our unit was filled with the spirit of the World Cup. I decorated the halls with soccer flags, posters, and colours from around the world. I organized fun staff pools and created beautiful prize baskets donated by generous corporate partners who were more than willing to join in the fun. I even brought in soccer themed baked treats to add to the celebration.

But the real magic was seeing how you lifted people’s spirits.

Children facing difficult days could talk about their favourite teams and players and enter their names in draws. Parents, exhausted and stressed, found moments of laughter and connection. Staff looked forward to coming to work each day to see the latest scores and join in the friendly competition.

For a few weeks, the hospital halls felt lighter.

That is the gift you give, Soccer. You bring people together in ways that go far beyond the field. You create hope, community, and joy in places where they are needed most.

My love for the beautiful game even inspired me to apply for a once in a lifetime opportunity: volunteering for the FIFA World Cup 2026. When I was offered a role, I felt incredibly honoured to be part of welcoming the world to Vancouver.

From a pediatric hospital unit filled with soccer decorations to the excitement of the World Cup coming to my own city, you have brought so much joy into my life.

And that is why, to me, you will always be more than a game.

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With Gratitude,
Betty Johnson

Dear Soccer,

‍

You have been far more than a game to our family. You have been a lifeline.

From barefoot fields in Uganda to competitive pitches in Canada, you carried us across cultures and into community. Through you, our children found belonging, courage, and lifelong friendships. You opened doors we never imagined and helped shape who they are becoming.

You did not just give us memories. You helped shape our family’s story, and this is just the beginning.

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With deep gratitude,
Carli

Dear Soccer,

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From the moment I lost my father, I knew you would still be there for me, just as you had been there for him so many times before.

Late nights on darkening pitches with him became training days and matches without him, but you were always there. Through the highs and the lows, the losses and the wins, one thing has stayed constant: you.

The beautiful game gave me a side of my father that I will cherish forever. Behind the man who was meant to stay strong for his family was someone with dreams, and through soccer, I got to know that part of him too.

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Forever grateful,
Kellan

Dear Soccer,

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I do not remember the first day I saw you, but I remember the feeling you gave me.

It was the sound of a ball hitting the ground on a dusty street, the excitement of running with friends after school, and the dream that maybe one day we could play like the heroes we watched on TV. Soccer was never just a game. It was a language everyone understood without speaking.

You taught me more than goals and passes. You taught me patience when we lost, courage when the match was tied, and belief when the clock was running down. Some days were muddy fields and tired legs. Other days were moments of pure joy, when the ball hit the net and the whole world felt lighter.

Even when life became busy and responsibilities grew, my love for the game never left. Every match, every cheer from the crowd, and every last-minute goal remind me why soccer is so special. It connects people from every country, every culture, and every background.

Now, as the world prepares to gather for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, it feels like the game that began on small fields and streets is bringing the whole world together once again.

And no matter where life takes me, one thing will always stay the same:
Soccer will always feel like home.

Thank you for the memories, and for the dreams that are still alive.

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Always,
Jaskaran

Dear Soccer,

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I am not very confident speaking English, but I would really love to go to a World Cup match because soccer is my favourite sport.

I have played soccer for as long as I can remember. My grandfather once promised me that we would go to a World Cup together, but it never happened. Now that he has passed away, I want to fulfill that dream for him and for myself.

That is why I am so eager to go to a World Cup match.

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With love,
Daniel

Dear Soccer,

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From the dusty pitches of Lagos in elementary school to the rainy mornings in Vancouver, you have been my one constant.

You taught me that every muddy cleat and every heartbreak is just a setup for joy. You are the heartbeat of home and the spirit of my new city.

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For the love of the game, I will always show up,
Tobi

Dear Soccer,

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You have shaped my life.

When I was young, I made the decision to chase the dream of becoming a professional player. That journey taught me discipline, resilience, and the power of consistency. At 18, I moved to Spain to pursue that vision and spent a year and a half chasing it. While it did not unfold the way I imagined, the game still gave me so much.

When I returned to Canada, I stayed connected to the sport and began coaching. Over the past four years, helping players develop their skills and mindset has become a passion of mine. Now, I am surrounded by boxes, preparing to drive to Kelowna to start my soccer development business, Level Up.

When I was younger, I thought that if you did not make it professionally, what was the point. But soccer taught me that the game is about much more: the memories, the friendships, the lessons, and the joy it continues to bring. Every time I step on the field, I fall in love with it again.

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Still in love with the game,
Sammy

Dear Soccer,

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My love for you started long before I understood how powerful a game could be. Growing up, my family did not have a lot of money, so there were not many chances to join extracurricular activities. But through elementary school and high school, soccer was always there for me. It did not cost much, but what it gave me meant everything.

On dusty fields and patches of worn grass, I found more than just a sport. I found a place where I belonged. I found teammates who became lifelong friends. We ran until the sun went down, celebrated the smallest victories, and learned how to lose with grace and come back the next day ready to try again. Every practice and every game helped shape the person I was becoming.

Soccer gave me memories I still carry with me today: the laughter in the locker room, the rush of scoring a goal, and the quiet pride of getting a little better each day. It taught me about teamwork, resilience, and the joy of working toward something bigger than yourself.

Some of my most meaningful moments with soccer did not even happen on the field. They happened at home. Whenever the World Cup came around, it brought my family together. We gathered around the TV, cheering, arguing over calls, and celebrating goals like we were right there in the stadium. Those moments made the game feel like more than just a sport. It became part of our family.

The World Cup showed me that soccer was bigger than any one player, team, or country. It connects people from all over the world, across different languages and cultures. And in our living room, it connected us too.

Looking back now, I realize soccer gave me so much more than something to do after school. It gave me friendships that lasted, memories I will never forget, and moments with my family that I will always treasure.

For a kid who did not have much, soccer gave me everything that mattered.And for that, I will always love the beautiful game.

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A lifelong fan,
Mandy

Dear Soccer,

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I am 100 percent a soccer mom. Every weekend, we are at the pitch with my daughter or my son. In all types of weather, on holidays, and on Sundays, soccer is our church.

Soccer has given our family connection and a true love for sport. I was never allowed to play when I was younger because my mom did not want to stand in the rain. I refused to be that kind of mom.

Rain, shine, snow, or hail, I am on the sidelines cheering as both my kids excel at a sport they truly love.

Soccer, you are a beautiful game, and we cannot wait to watch you in Vancouver.

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See you on the sidelines,
Christy

Dear Soccer,

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I started playing soccer at the age of three, and I have always loved the game.

My dream is to become a professional soccer player and represent Canada at the World Cup one day. Every day, I keep working to make that dream come true, whether that means resting, writing down what I need to improve on, or putting in the work on the field.

My love for soccer grows stronger every day, and I will keep working hard to make my dream a reality.

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Chasing the dream,
Joshua

Dear Soccer,

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You gave me new friends, new memories, time with family, and the chance to be part of a team. My life would be so different without you.

My first live match gave me a feeling of excitement and euphoria. Here’s to many more years of friendship, memories, bruises, scrapes, excitement, joy, and even the occasional loss. I would never want it any other way.

Dear Soccer, you have brought me some of the best joys of my life.

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Sincerely,
Cheryl

Dear Soccer,

‍

It has been almost 40 years already.

From Sunday morning matches on muddy, waterlogged fields in England to Wembley Stadium, BC Place, and everywhere in between, you have been there through it all.

There have been moments of euphoria, the feeling of scoring a goal, last-minute winners, and cup final victories. There have also been defeats, injuries, and the heartbreak of penalty shootouts.

Most importantly, soccer gave me the chance to share it all with my family, my friends, and strangers from all over the world. Through soccer, I found a place where I belong.

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Through it all,
Andrew

Dear Soccer,

‍

I still remember the excitement in South Africa when the FIFA World Cup was hosted there in 2010. There was such a buzz across the country, and it was a special feeling to witness that moment.

Later that same year, in November 2010, I arrived in Vancouver. Now, 16 years later, being part of another FIFA World Cup host city feels like a full-circle moment, especially with the family I have built here in Vancouver.

I am deeply grateful for this experience. I work every day in the DTES, and it means a lot to be part of something that brings so much joy and connection to the city.

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With gratitude,
Risha

Dear Soccer,

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I started playing at 10, when my club finally got a girls team. You carried me through youth soccer, through university, and eventually into coaching, first my kids, and now the next generation.

At almost 50, I still play. Through you, I have built lifelong friendships, stayed active, and learned leadership and resilience.

I want the girls I coach to see those same possibilities: confidence, community, and the belief that the game can take them further than they ever thought possible.

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Still playing, still believing,
T. Niki

Dear Soccer,

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Thank you for giving my son the opportunity to make friends and fall in love with the game.

We moved to BC last year, and my son was having a hard time adjusting and making friends. Today, he loves soccer. He gets up bright and early to practise his footwork, and he recently scored his very first goal.

He is eight years old and only just started playing, as we did not have soccer leagues back in our hometown in Manitoba.

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Love,
A Soccer Mom

Dear Soccer,

‍

I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you.

There were times in my life when things felt heavy and uncertain, when motivation was hard to find and the days felt longer than they should. Whether it was watching a game, thinking about my favourite teams, or simply remembering the joy the sport brings, soccer gave me something to hold on to.

It reminded me that there is always another half, another chance, another comeback. Just like a match can change in a few minutes, life can turn around too. The passion, the unity, and the hope that the game brings helped me stay positive when I needed it most.

Thank you for being more than just a sport. Thank you for being a source of strength, inspiration, and joy when I needed it most.

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Thank you for being there,
Pritish

Dear Soccer,

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Growing up, it was never really an option not to love the beautiful game. My older brothers played, my mom played, and my Opa taught us his skills.

As far back as I can remember, I have been competing in soccer leagues here in BC. I even made it into higher competitive leagues before I was forced to hang up my cleats because of family matters.

Around that time, I lost my love for the game. But ever since the announcement that the World Cup is coming to Vancouver, that spark has come back.

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Isaiah

Dear Soccer,

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You pull me in with your rhythm, emotion, and the way a single moment can change everything.

The World Cup amplifies that feeling, uniting countries and turning every match into a story of pride, hope, and possibility. I love how you bring the world together and make even strangers feel connected through the game.

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With hope,
Daniel

Dear Soccer,

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I started to admire the beautiful game when Beckham rose to prominence in Europe.

Time passed. Great players came and went, and then I got to see Messi play live. Watching him felt like poetry in motion, a kind of magic that made football feel new to me all over again.

Now, we are about to witness many of our generation’s stars in what could be their final World Cup. Bring on FIFA 2026.

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Ready for kickoff,
Dave

Dear Soccer,

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How perfect it is that you are coming to my city, where football culture continues to grow.

I hope women’s football reaches new heights here and around the world. Thank you for giving us hope, joy, comfort, and entertainment, and for being the embodiment of such an inclusive, amazing sport.

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All love,
Anamta

Dear Soccer,

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You found me on damp Vancouver fields and turned cold air into breathless magic.

You taught me to rise after every fall, to trust my teammates, and to dream beyond the scoreboard. You stitched my life to distant nations and made strangers feel like family.

No matter where the World Cup goes, my heart will always follow you.

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Mark

Dear Soccer,

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You have been part of my life for as long as I can remember. You and I share memories from so many different stages of my life.

Let’s make more great memories together.

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Looking ahead,
Tony

Dear Soccer,

‍

Every soccer story starts somewhere.

Mine started in the early mornings, when the field was still wet and the grass stuck to my cleats. It started with a ball that was a little too old, and friends who believed every game was a World Cup final.

Soccer taught me more than how to score goals. It taught me patience when we lost. It taught me confidence when I finally made the pass that changed the game. It taught me that the best moments are not always the goals. Sometimes they are the laughs after practice, the muddy jerseys, and the teammates who become family.

There were heartbreaks too. Games we should have won. Chances I wish I could replay. But that is the beauty of the game: it always gives you another match, another moment, another chance.

Soccer gave me discipline, memories, and a place where I always feel like I belong.

And no matter where life takes me, one thing will always be true:

I will always be a player of the beautiful game.

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Always in the game,
Aysar

Dear Soccer,

‍

My nonno put a ball at my feet when I was three, and somehow, you never let go.

From muddy Vancouver mornings to Whitecaps nights, from meeting Alphonso Davies to chasing games across local fields and even in Portugal, you gave me discipline, resilience, and a place to belong.

I am just a left back who fell in love early. But honestly, you have always been my world.

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Always,
Jacob

Dear Soccer,

‍

I can hardly contain my excitement as the World Cup comes to Vancouver. The thought of witnessing the world’s best teams, the roar of the crowd, and the magic of football on our home turf fills me with pure joy.

I have dreamed of this moment for years, and knowing it is finally here makes my heart race. The energy, the passion, the unity, it all feels unforgettable.

Thank you for bringing this incredible moment to our city. I cannot wait to cheer, celebrate, and create memories that will last a lifetime.

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Yours in football,
Mithun Ramesh

Dear Soccer,

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At five years old, I did not really understand how to play the game, but I loved soccer because there was always ice cream.

At 13, I was awkward, but indoor soccer on rainy days gave me a place to shine.

At 21, I moved to Ireland on my own, joined a rec league, and found a family.

At 28, I organized the company team and coached an incredible group all the way to the semifinals.

At 39, I went on a first date to a Whitecaps match with the person who is now my life partner.

At 41, I have cheered from the stands in more than seven countries.

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Soccer is life.
Elisa

Dear Soccer,

‍

In Vancouver, you live in our parks, our schoolyards, and our rainy afternoons.

You are muddy cleats and laughter on wet grass. You are strangers becoming teammates, and teammates becoming friends. In a city filled with people from every corner of the world, you speak a language everyone understands.

You remind us that joy can be simple: just a ball, a field, and people coming together.

As Vancouver prepares to welcome the world for the FIFA World Cup, the love for the game has already been growing here for years.

And it all starts with a single kick.

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With joy,
Ratsarin

Dear Soccer,

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I remember when Brazil won its fifth World Cup, and the celebration that filled the streets of Brazil. I was a teenager then, but I still remember the feeling of excitement as my dad drove us around while everyone honked, cheered, waved Brazil flags, and played our national anthem loudly on the radio.

Every four years, I hope we will feel that again.

I want the chance to experience that kind of joy once more and to show the world how amazing this game can be, and how it can bring an entire nation together.

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With hope,
Gabriela

Dear Soccer,

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What do I even write about you?

You have made me laugh, and you have made me cry. You have made me feel every emotion possible. This sport is my life, and without it, something always feels missing.

I remember when I got injured, it felt worse than a breakup. But through it all, soccer has given me friendships that have lasted to this day, people I still play with and still share the game with.

I love soccer, and to me, soccer is life.

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Shivnesh

Dear Soccer,

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You showed me how the game could teach my daughters the values of teamwork, perseverance, and hard work.

I took them to their practices and games, and one rainy game day has always stayed with me. At halftime, the referee asked if the teams wanted to call it a draw. I was in awe of all the players who chose to finish the game through the pouring rain and showed what the love of the game truly means.

I am proud to say that both of my daughters used the skills they developed through soccer to become teachers. Today, they know how to inspire others.

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With pride,
Gurmail

Dear Soccer,

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I was bullied in elementary school, and soccer became my escape. On the field, the noise disappeared. It was just the ball, the grass, and a chance to breathe.

Through early mornings and muddy cleats, I found confidence and true friends. Years later, our team made it to Provincials.

Soccer did more than shape my childhood. It gave me a place where I belonged.

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With strength,
Veer

Dear Soccer,

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I grew up playing every day after school. Before long, I was hooked and started watching an unhealthy amount of matches during the week and on weekends.

You live in my head rent-free. I still remember when Canada won the bid to co-host the World Cup. I was overjoyed.

Even my wife is jealous of our love, haha. To watch Canada at the World Cup would be beyond my wildest dreams.

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With love,
Kay

Dear Soccer,

‍

You have always been more than a game to me. You are the sound of kids playing in the street, the feeling of hope before a big match, and the joy that spreads through a crowd when a goal is scored. You bring people together in a way very few things in the world can.

You have the power to turn strangers into friends and cities into families for ninety minutes. Every pass, every save, and every goal carries a story. Sometimes you break our hearts. Sometimes you give us moments we will remember for the rest of our lives.

With the World Cup coming to Vancouver in 2026, it feels like something special is on the horizon. The world will gather here, with different cultures and different dreams all connected by the same love for the beautiful game. It will not only be about football. It will be about the memories we create together.

Thank you for the passion, the drama, the celebrations, and the belief that anything is possible.

See you in 2026.

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With love,
Amesh

Dear Soccer,

‍

I have played soccer all my life. Through the game, I have made many friends and had so much fun.

Staying fit and active through soccer has also been essential to my well-being.

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Best,
Stephen

Dear Soccer,

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You brought me and my spouse together. You bring unity and genuine love to your followers.

The passion I feel when watching a winning team takes away my worries. With a glass of beer or wine, and while embracing the diversity of cultures around the game, I am reminded why soccer will always be my favourite sport.

I am glad that the city of Vancouver is honoured to host the world in 2026.

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With joy,
Omoleye

Dear Soccer,

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You changed my life.

Growing up, I remember the early morning games, team sleepovers, the hard wins, and the sad losses. The best part was all the tournaments I got to play in across the United States and Canada.

I was lucky enough to play striker with Christine Sinclair for five years. Some of the best days of my life were spent on that pitch. Teammates became lifelong friends, and coaches became role models in my life.

Soccer is not just a game. It is a way of life, and I am so proud that I got to live it.

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With pride,
Nicole

Dear Soccer,

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In uncertain times, you still steady me.

I feel it at Whitecaps matches at BC Place, walking in and hearing the Southsiders already going. Strangers beside me, one voice. A through ball, a half chance, that split second before the finish.

In 2026, the World Cup comes to Vancouver. Different flags, one game.

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See you at kickoff,
Peter

You are an amazing sport and have been a prominent part of my life.
With appreciation,

‍
Clarissa

Dear Soccer,

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My love for the game started when I was four years old, watching the older kids play at East Van’s Garden Park.

By the time I was five, I was playing in that same park as part of Grandview Legion, and it was such a fun time. Watching World Cups and league matches on TV, I was always in awe of the skill and beauty of the game.

Going to 86’ers and Whitecaps games as a kid was always a good time. My passion for soccer started when I was young and has stayed with me into adulthood.

Soccer truly is a game that brings us together.

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See you on the pitch,
Remo

Dear Soccer,

‍

I have always loved watching soccer because it has been my passion for the past 12 years.

I have always supported the Mexican national team because Mexico is my mom’s country.

I am excited for the World Cup to be held in Vancouver, and I hope to buy tickets one day.

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Regards,
Amir Persaud-Barranco

Dear Soccer,

‍

I was born in East Vancouver to Irish immigrant parents, and there is even a family photo of me as a child with a ball in my hand.

I played for St. Patrick’s Elementary and later for the Seminary of Christ the King in Mission, BC.

You were there through Mt. Seymour, Lynn Valley, and Lions Gate, and through the building of North Van FC. You were there too as we cheered on the Mountain United FC ’02 boys as they competed in five Provincials and two Nationals.

May our memories live on forever.

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With gratitude,
John

Dear Soccer,

‍

I was born in Los Angeles to two British parents. When my family moved to Vancouver, we fell on hard times, and Carl Valentine took me in.

Football gave me discipline and direction. I later played under Carl in the North Shore Premier Player Program and even travelled to Austria through the game.

Today, I work in capital markets, have invested in clubs in Portugal, Canada, and the UK, and support underprivileged kids, just as Carl once supported me.

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With gratitude,
Danny

Dear Soccer,

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You gave me a job, but you were always so much more than employment.

You gave me the chance to meet my professional heroes, to be pitch side at major international and professional club matches, to travel internationally, to meet friends I now consider family, and to build a lifelong career.

Now you have given me the chance to move my life halfway across the world to work in the beautiful game in Vancouver, where I can watch my home nation, New Zealand, compete in their first Men’s World Cup in 16 years.

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With gratitude,
Shannon

Dear Soccer,

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I am the girl who watched Maradona dazzle at the 1986 FIFA World Cup with my dad. His “Goal of the Century” against England still mesmerizes me. I defended Pelé with my mom through every brutal foul, dreaming of one day seeing legends live.

That girl grew up, cheered for a young Messi in the Copa América, dressed her son in jerseys, and wept over national team heartbreaks. Still, the dreams endured.

At 51, I fled Venezuela and came to Canada as a refugee. Through all of life’s hardships, the 2026 World Cup being hosted here has given me something powerful to hold onto. With matches in Toronto and Vancouver, that dream now feels real.

Soccer is not just a game. It is hope for millions, joy in the midst of tears, unity across borders, and the childhood dreams that stay alive despite time and wrinkles.

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With hope,
Johanna

Dear Soccer,

‍

I have been watching soccer for 12 years, and it has become a big part of my life. I love the passion that soccer gives me. I am excited that Vancouver is going to host the World Cup. The World Cup has always meant a lot to me, and I cannot wait to experience that excitement here in our city.

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Regards,
Amir

Dear Soccer,

‍

You were my first language before I knew how to explain myself. You taught me how to show up, even when I was nervous, and how to try again when I was not proud of my last touch.

You have been early mornings and late nights, muddy socks and happy tears. You have been the reason strangers became teammates, and the reason a city can feel like one big community for 90 minutes.

Now Vancouver is getting ready to welcome the world, and I keep thinking about what you have always done best: bringing people together. From the sidelines to the stands, from neighbourhood parks to the biggest stages, you remind us that we are better when we move as one.

Thank you for the lessons, the friendships, and the joy. We will be ready for you in 2026.

‍

With love,
A Vancouver fan