Author’s note: Before he jetted off to the Olympics last week, Canadian Soccer Association president Victor Montagliani chatted with Canadian Soccer News on a variety of subjects. This is the second of a short series of stories, based on that chat.
CSA president Victor Montagliani couldn’t help but be an excited soccer fan when asked about his official trip to the London Olympics.
“Other than the players’ parents, I’m probably the number-one fan,” he beamed.
But the real reasons for Montagliani’s English adventure lie off the pitch – in the backrooms and boardrooms of international footballing politics.
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“Unlike some other sports, FIFA runs the Olympic soccer tournament,” he says. “It’s almost like a World Cup. It’s a great opportunity for me, as a president, to meet with other presidents, not only from my own confederation, but other presidents throughout the world. I already know there’s a lot to do, because I have a lot of meetings set up.”
With the 2015 Women’s World Cup already secured, and a bid being prepared to host the world’s biggest tournament in 2026, Montagliani feels Canada is very much in play right now, internationally.
“In terms of pushing our agenda, as it relates to Canadian soccer and where we want to be on the world stage, with these types of events, when you’re not there, it’s not good. We’ve always been there, but I think we’ve done a very good job in the last little while of not only being there, but being heard – which is very important.”
Montagliani anticipates coming back from London with some key announcements, though he’s not willing to be specific just yet.
“Obviously, when you announce you’re going to host the Women’s World Cup, that’s a massive thing. But there are a lot of other, smaller things, whether it’s Canadians joining committees or whatever, which is a sign of us growing up in the international arena. This is why you need to be there.”
He notes this is a particularly crucial time in CONCACAF history, with incoming president Jeffrey Webb beginning anew following the overthrow of embattled former president Jack Warner.
“I have nothing but very good things to say about him. He’s a top-class guy. He loves the game. We witnessed that at our AGM, when he made a speech. The first thing out of his mouth was that he was tired of talking about constitutions and stuff. He wanted to talk about football. He has a very high professional background, very high pedigree in the corporate community in the U.S. and in the Caribbean.”
Montagliani feels his revamped, redesigned CSA is in a strong position to do well, in the new political climate Webb is establishing.
“There’s nothing but a good opportunity for Canada – I actually think a lot more than there has ever been,” he concludes.
“You see a different attitude towards CONCACAF and how we’re going to move forward, in a more business-like and transparent sort of environment. I’m very optimistic in terms of our future.”
Thursday: Montagliani on Canada’s bid to host the 2026 World Cup.