Shawn Mendes, Simu Liu, Sidney Crosby: Meet Team Canada’s 2026 Soccer World Cup Cheerleaders

Canadian music superstar Shawn Mendes, Marvel movie star Simu Liu and NHL legend Sidney Crosby have been tapped as the first influential Canadian cultural leaders to cheer on their country’s men’s national soccer team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament.

The trio were named as Iconic XI Ambassadors and the first of in all 11 cheerleaders to bring the country behind Team Canada before the marquee global sporting event to be hosted next year by Canada, Mexico and the United States.

“It’s always an honor to represent Canada on the national stage, and I’m happy to support my fellow Canadian athletes. I’ll be cheering for them along the way,” Crosby, who earned Olympic gold with Canada’s men’s hockey team in 2010 and 2014, said in a statement.

The ambassadors will show their support on social media platforms, at public appearances and via creative content to be developed and produced. The World Cup global sporting event is set to kick off on June 11, 2026 and will feature 48 nations, the largest field in the tournament’s history.

“The Iconic XI represents the best of who we are as a country today – creative, united and in pursuit of excellence. As our players prepare for the world’s biggest stage, these cultural leaders will help amplify the pride and passion that continue to define Canadian soccer. Together, we’re showing the world what it means when Canada stands as one,” Kevin Blue, CEO and general secretary at Canada Soccer, said in a statement.

Canada’s national men’s soccer team made earlier appearances at the World Cup competition in 1986 and 2022, and qualified for the 2026 tournament.

The country’s women’s national soccer team routinely competes in in FIFA Women’s World Cup tournaments and at the Olympics won historic bronze medals at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 games and a gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics.