Owen Hargreaves, the Calgary-born midfielder who had a notable career with clubs like Bayern Munich and Manchester United, is set to join Fox Sports as a commentator for Canada's World Cup opener against Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 12. Hargreaves, who debuted for England in 2001 despite not living there, reflects Canada's long struggle to qualify for major international tournaments. Although he played for England, many Canadian fans still remember his potential as a youth player. His involvement marks a unique return to the national sports scene for the co-hosting nation’s celebration of soccer.

By the Numbers
  • Hargreaves has made 42 appearances for the England national team.
  • He debuted for England in 2001, 25 years after moving from Canada.
State of Play
  • Canada is set to co-host the World Cup while promoting its soccer history.
  • Other past Canadian soccer stars will also participate in World Cup celebrations.
What's Next

Anticipation builds as Canada gears up for its World Cup opener, with hopes of a strong showing on home turf, supported by media personalities like Hargreaves. Fans are eager to see how the team performs following a long absence from such a prestigious stage.

Bottom Line

Owen Hargreaves’ commentary and presence during the tournament align with Canada’s push to celebrate its soccer heritage, potentially igniting greater interest in the national team and its prospects for future international competitions.