Canada’s soccer governing body said on Monday the men’s World Cup squad had resumed training after refusing to play a friendly match against Panama due to tense labor negotiations.
Canada Soccer announced on social media that the two warring sides had met the day before. The team resumed training in the afternoon and future meetings have been scheduled.
Canada will face Curacao on Thursday at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver in the CONCACAF Nations League. The Canadian federation did not highlight the upcoming international commitment in its announcement.
The players said in a brief statement on Monday that “we are moving forward with the hope that Canada Soccer will work with us to resolve the situation.”
The match against Panama was canceled two hours before kick-off when the Canadian players refused to enter the pitch.
The squad, preparing for Canada’s first World Cup appearance since 1986, did not practice on Friday or Saturday.
The players released a statement on Sunday outlining their contractual demands: they want 40% of their World Cup prize money, a travel package for friends and family, and a “fair structure with our women’s national team sharing the same costs per game, the percentages of the economic prizes of our respective FIFA World Cups and the development of a women’s league in the country.
Panama were substituted at the last minute after Canada Soccer called off a game against Iran due to criticism from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Canada is scheduled to travel to Honduras on June 13 for a CONCACAF Nations League match.
Canada, number 38 in the FIFA rankings, begins its participation in the World Cup in Qatar against Belgium, second in the world, on November 23; will play No. 16 Coracia four days later and No. 24 Morocco on December 1.
“Internet fanatic. Web ninja. Social media trailblazer. Devoted thinker. Friend of animals everywhere.”