These numbers, especially as they get better as we head towards the final, will be vital as the Canadian Soccer Association tries to convince FIFA that it has what it takes to host the World Cup in 2026.

It would be hard to imagine any Canadian federal, provincial or municipal government readily taking on billions of debt to stage the 2026 tournament without some massive help from the private sector.

Cautious optimism. That’s the best way to describe Montreal’s reaction to Canada’s 2026 World Cup bid. No letters of support have been written. And, in a city and province that still feel the costs of hosting the 1976 Summer Olympics, big events like a World Cup can feel like déjà vu all over again...

Vancouver lobbied hard to make sure it got the 2015 Women’s World Cup final. And, if Canada does win the bid for the 2026 World Cup, you can be sure that Vancouver will make every effort to convince FIFA and the Canadian Soccer Association that the final should be held there, too...

Because it’s hosting the 2015 Pan Am Games, the City of Toronto chose not to be a host city for the Women’s World Cup. Toronto’s decision to shun soccer’s showpiece event for women was a controversial one. But there are those who feel that the Pan Am Games might give Canada’s largest city a step up if and when it comes time for this nation to host the most popular sporting event on the planet...

Edmonton has hosted the Commonwealth Games; it’s hosted the World Championships in Athletics. It’s been a part of every major soccer tournament that Canada has hosted — and, in 2015, it will host more Women’s World Cup matches than any other city. The reason for Edmonton’s prominence? Commonwealth Stadium: Even though it was constructed in the 1970s, it still remains the country’s premier sports venue that doesn’t have a roof Canada...

To CONCACAF, it doesn’t matter if it’s Canada who gets the job done, or another of the countries from North America, Central America and the Caribbean.

For Canadians, the 2014 World Cup is a lot like the 2010 World Cup. Or 2006. Or 2002. Or 1990, 1994 and 1998. Canada didn’t qualify for the big tournaments, so our rooting interests lie in our heritage nations. Or maybe we watch American TV and follow the exploits of Michael Bradley and co. And, of course, we have to deal with the Canadian media assumption that somehow England is “our” team. But, as the 2014 World Cup plays out in Brazil, Canadian Soccer Association President Victor Montagliani is telling anyone who’ll listen about the bid to host the 2026 World Cup. We look at the coming bid, and what it means for the country and potential host cities...

But, there's one part of that World Cup section that's sure to get a lot of attention. And that's the stated Canadian Soccer Association goal of an all-Canadian Division One — or "1A," as CSA President Victor Montagliani called it in our interview.

The second issue of Plastic Pitch, out today, features a 16-page section on Canada's bid for the World Cup.