'No one as passionate': Herdman affirms Canada commitment after World Cup

As Canada prepares to round out their 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign against Morocco, manager John Herdman has affirmed his desire to stay on and build towards the co-hosted 2026 tournament.

Linked with a range of potential new roles at the English club level over the last year – with a few whispers of a potential England national team role to replace Gareth Southgate – Herdman's stock has continued to rise following strong showings at Canada's first FIFA World Cup appearance in 36 years, particularly against Belgium in their group stage opener.

But on the question of whether he's put any thought towards his own future, Herdman pledged commitment to his brotherhood, as ever.

"I will be tomorrow!" Herdman quipped, as quoted by Joshua Kloke of The Athletic, when asked if he plans to remain as Canada's coach. "I'll be excited tomorrow (too), absolutely.

"You know, 11 years of work in this country, and I've been pioneering for a long period of time. You will not find anyone as passionate as I am about this program, or about these players or about this staff.

"You will not find anyone as passionate (about) taking the country to that next level, or meet anyone that's experienced this moment with this team."

Canada's return to the global stage came as a direct result of Herdman's work with the program, a journey that began in 2018 when he took over the men's team after leading the Canadian women to Olympic successes.

Since 2018, Herdman worked to restore Canada's reputation and confidence in Concacaf, eventually leading Les Rouges to top of the World Cup Qualifying table ahead of the United States, Mexico and Costa Rica.

And, while Canada's 2022 World Cup campaign came to a premature end after losses to Belgium and Croatia in Group F, Herdman knows his team of brothers still has a long way to go before they reach their full potential.

"The one thing you've seen from us is we've always come back strong," Herdman offered. "In 2016, (the Canadian women's national team) go back-to-back podiums for the first time in over a century, and [five] years later, they take a gold medal.

"We came for this World Cup. Thierry Henry told me this team played (Belgium) off the park. I'll that that because if that's our foundation, we're going to have a great four years ahead.

"I can't wait to get after it."