*By Michael Teich*
A soccer revolution is to coming to Canada as the country prepares to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup and launch the Canadian Premier League.
"It’s not about selling tickets, or putting on a sporting event. It’s about creating a movement,” Canadian Premier League commissioner David Clanachan said in an interview with Cheddar.
The CPL's inaugural season will kick off with 8 clubs, and Clanachan said the league is in talks with 24 different cities and regions for starting new teams. The commissioner is confident the pro league will create a "pathway" for young Canadians to be able to play at the national team level.
“We are a soccer playing nation. More than 14% of the population play soccer on a weekly basis, which is unusual for a western country.”
But despite that, Canada's only World Cup appearance came in 1986. Clanachan hopes building a professional league powered by Canadian players and coaches will help elevate the sport's presence in the country.
For the full interview, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/canada-makes-a-push-for-soccer-relevancy-2).
Cheddar's own Shannon LaNier tries out ZOZOFIT's new body suit that provides 3D scans measuring everything from waist size to body mass index. Madeleine Kanazawa, vice president of marketing for the fitness brand, breaks down how the technology works.
Former NFL star JJ Watt and his wife, former U.S. national team player Kealia Watt, announced they were investing in England's Burnley FC, which recently gained promotion to the Premier League. "Burnley ticked all the boxes -- the ownership, the team, the fanbase, the vision," Watt said, "And also the town, I think the town fits us well."
Cheddar News' weeklong series on personal fitness, Shannon Shapes Up, continues with Shannon LaNier busting a move at 305 Fitness in New York City. The gym offers full-body dance cardio workouts everyday with a live DJ.
