The Canada Soccer Hall of Fame honours people and institutions for their contributions to Canadian soccer. It was founded in 1997 by the Ontario Soccer Association and was originally located in Vaughan, Ontario. As of 2024, the Canada Soccer Hall of Fame has inducted 144 players, 13 managers/coaches, 10 officials, and 45 builders as honoured members.[1] Additionally, the Canada Soccer Hall of Fame has recognized 18 teams of distinction and 21 organizations of distinction.[2]
After the Canadian Soccer Association Alumni Association was founded in 1987, the Soccer Hall of Fame was founded by the Ontario Soccer Association in 1997 in Vaughan. The new Canada Soccer Hall of Fame was launched in May 2017 under the direction of the Canadian Soccer AssociationinOttawa, Ontario.[3] All previously-inducted members of The Soccer Hall of Fame as well as a catch-up class of 17 legends were named to the new Canada Soccer Hall of Fame.[4]
As of 2024, the Canada Soccer Hall of Fame has honoured 212 honoured members. The honoured members are organized in the following categories: Modern Canadian Players (62), Past Players (82), Coaches/Managers (13), Referees (10), and Builders (45). The next class of honoured members will be inducted in 2025.[5]
Since 2022, the Modern Canadian Players category has featured an equal balance of past Men's National Team Players and Women's National Team Players. As noted by the Canada Soccer Hall of Fame, "this balance reflects the modern era during which international football at the very highest level has both a men’s and women’s FIFA World Cup as the pinnacle of the sport (since the inauguration of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 1991)."[6]
Names in italics are those persons inducted under the "Pioneer" category (established in 2007) or "Veteran Canadian Players" category (as the category was renamed in 2017).
The Soccer Hall of Fame managed the Brian Budd Award from 2010 to 2014, but the award has since been managed as part of the overall Canada Soccer Awards program. The Brian Budd Award honours outstanding individuals "who have excelled both in soccer and in another endeavour, be it in sport or public life. The individual must exemplify good character, accomplishments, dedication and provide inspiration to present and future generations".[12]
Alongside the Canada Soccer Hall of Fame, there are also four provincial Halls of Fame inaugurated by Canada Soccer's Provincial Member Associations (as of 2022): The Soccer Hall of Fame of British Columbia, the Manitoba Soccer Hall of Fame, the Québec Soccer Hall of Fame (Temple de la renommée du soccer québecoise), and the Newfoundland & Labrador Soccer Hall of Fame.
