Canada Soccer expects a 55,000 seat sellout for World Cup qualifier against Mexico

If there was any doubt where the soccer capital of Canada is, it will become obvious on Friday.

General Secretary of Soccer Canada, Peter Montopoli, announced Tuesday afternoon that Canada’s World Cup qualifying match against Mexico Friday at BC Place has surpassed 50,000 in ticket sales.

“We are projecting a sellout for the match on Friday” said Montopoli. If there is a sellout then it will become the largest attended national team event (of any sport) on home soil in the history of our country.”

The current attendance record is 54,027, which was set at BC Place last June by the Canadian Women’s National Team for their quarterfinal match against England at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Of course, the attendance for Friday’s match will pale in comparison to the rematch on March 29 when 98,500 people will cram into Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

While it remains to be seen how many at BC Place will be supporting the visitors from Mexico, this is still a tremendous advancement for soccer in this country. People want to see the 22nd ranked team from Mexico play, but they also want to support the Canadian National Team.

Over 20,000 people attended Canada’s last home game against Honduras at BC Place in November.

Canada needs to finish in the top-2 of their group to advance to the final round of World Cup qualifying. With a win and a draw, they are currently in second place in their pool, behind only Mexico at 2-0-0.