John Herdman announces stay as head coach for Canada

Canada made an announcement on head coach John Herdman that refuted earlier reports. Earlier on Wednesday, Newshub reported the 47-year-old head coach switched allegiances. The story claimed he would be taking over the same role with New Zealand.

Earlier in his coaching career, Herdman worked with the women’s national team in New Zealand from 2003 to 2011. He was the head coach for the final five years of that tenure.

However, Canada’s official twitter account published a quote from Herdman. It clearly demonstrated Herdman’s intent to stay with the Canada Men’s National Team after he helped the side reach its first World Cup since 1986. It was Canada’s second trip to the tournament in its history.

New Zealand had a head coach lined up

New Zealand’s soccer association announced that it had a frontrunner lined up. In an official statement that laid out a pair of friendlies to start off the 2026 World Cup cycle, New Zealand said Darren Bazeley would coach the side in those friendlies.

“The leading candidate for the permanent All Whites head coach role had to be called upon to help manage a family health issue, meaning they weren’t able to take up the position ahead of these fixtures,” read an official statement on the ordeal.

However, Herdman maintained that he is not that candidate. New Zealand did reach out to the coach to question him for his services. However, the coach is “not going anywhere.”

Herdman is under contract through the 2026 World Cup, for which Canada is a co-host.

John Herdman took Canada to 2022 World Cup

Herdman made headlines at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar for interesting comments regarding Croatia. The coach spoke to reporters after a narrow defeat to Belgium and admitted that he told his players that they would “go and F Croatia” in their next match. Canada would, however, lose the match to Croatia 4-1.

Regardless, it was a success to get Canada back to the competition even if it picked up zero points. Canada did score its first-ever goal at a World Cup. Fittingly, it was star man Alphonso Davies to get on the scoresheet.

He looks to lead the side as it is a co-host for the 2026 World Cup.

PHOTO: IMAGO / PA Images