Shai Gilgeous-Alexander rooting for Canada in 2026 FIFA World Cup: 'Makes me proud'

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Keeping an eye on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has joined the rest of the sports world in keeping a wandering eye. Every four years, countries across the planet fall into a fever pitch with soccer. Especially if your home is involved.

As Gilgeous-Alexander gets ready to suit up for Team Canada once again in a couple of FIBA World Cup qualifiers, he's kept up with what his fellow soccer colleagues have done at the biggest stage. Of course, Canada beat South Africa 1-0 in the Round of 32 on Sunday. It was the country's first knockout stage win ever.

Before the World Cup, Canada had never recorded a point in two previous trips to the event, with an 0-6 record. Canada went 1-1-1 in group play before Sunday’s tournament win. It will face Morocco in the Round of 16 on Saturday, July 4.

"I’ve been watching their games. Their success has been inspiring," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "To see the growth of their program, where it has come in a short amount of time, the growth of the players, it’s been inspiring. It’s been fun. It makes me proud to be Canadian."

That's going to be a jam-packed weekend for sports-crazed Canadians. The men's basketball team — led by Gilgeous-Alexander — will face Puerto Rico on Friday, July 3 and Jamaica on Monday, July 6 in their qualifiers. Another qualifier will be held on Monday, Aug. 31.

Since Gilgeous-Alexander ascended into an eventual two-time MVP winner, Canada has enjoyed its best era of international hoops. They finished bronze in the 2023 FIBA World Cup and advanced to the 2024 Olympic quarterfinals before being knocked out by France. Expect them to likely take part in the 2027 FIBA World Cup and 2028 Olympics.

Right now, Canada is rich with NBA talent. Gilgeous-Alexander is joined by Lu Dort, RJ Barrett, Dillon Brooks, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Bennedict Mathurin. Canada head coach Gordie Herbert has established a new rule where if you're going to suit up for the World Cup and Olympics, you need to agree to a three-year commitment in order to ramp up and build chemistry.

And with Gilgeous-Alexander leading the way, he's showing the rest of the Canadian NBA players that there's no excuse to finish their homework to suit up for the upcoming summer events. Until then, though, everybody from there will keep an eye on how their men's soccer team performs in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander rooting for Canada in 2026 FIFA World Cup: 'Makes me proud'

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