As a mom of three, a Soccer Mom, a Hockey Mom, and a Cultural Ambassador, I have the privilege of seeing every day how sports can transform lives and strengthen communities.
For years, Iโve asked myself one question:
Why isnโt Canada a global soccer powerhouse?
The answer became clearer this World Cup.
Canada is a newcomer to soccerโbut not to high-performance sport.
We already know how to build champions. As one of the worldโs great hockey nations and a global leader in womenโs soccer, Canada has spent decades developing elite athletes, outstanding coaches, world-class sports science, and a culture of excellence. Those strengths are now becoming the foundation for Canadian soccer.
But our greatest advantage isnโt something you can build with money.
Itโs Multiculturalism.
Our diversity isnโt just part of our identityโitโs our competitive edge.
Players who bring different cultures, experiences, and styles of play make our team stronger. When those differences come together with one shared purpose, something remarkable happens.
Canadaโs historic journey to the Round of 16 wasnโt just another tournament result. It showed what is possible when diversity becomes unity.
Of course, we still have work to do. We need more soccer infrastructure, more development pathways, and continued investment.
But facilities can be built.
Culture takes generations.
And Canada already has something truly special.
Sports build teams.
Culture builds people.
Together, they build nations.
I believe Canada is only at the beginning of its soccer storyโand the best chapters are still ahead.
I was driving home after picking up my daughter. The sky was unusually clear, and the sunshine felt warm and comforting. After a long winter, it seemed as if summer was finally knocking at the door. As my daughter looked out the window, she suddenly said,
โMom, now that the weather is getting warmer, I really want to eat naengmyeon.โ
Her comment made me smile.
Koreans have a fascinating relationship with food. Certain foods seem to belong to certain seasons.
When it rains, we think of pajeon (savory pancakes). When cold winds blow, we crave bungeoppang (fish-shaped pastries). On the hottest days of summer, we eat samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup). And when the weather starts to warm up, we begin thinking about naengmyeon.
Naengmyeon is more than just a bowl of cold noodles. For many Koreans, it is a sign that summer has arrived.
One bowl quietly says,
โAh, summer is on its way.โ
Instead of heading straight home, we stopped at the grocery store.
When it comes to food, our family tends to act quickly.
Less than thirty minutes after my daughterโs comment, our shopping cart was filled with naengmyeon, pork belly, cucumbers, ingredients for tangerine ade, and kkultteokโhoney-filled rice cakes for dessert.
Korean meals often unfold like a multi-course dinner, even at home.
The first course was grilled Samgyupsal, grilled pork belly.
Samgyupsal- grilled pork belly
The meat sizzled on the pan, filling the house with its rich aroma.
Gathering around the table, cooking together, and sharing stories is about more than food. In Korea, a meal often becomes a reason for people to come together.
The second course was the star of the evening: naengmyeon.
Naengmyeon- Korean cold noodles
The noodles rested in a bowl of icy broth, with pieces of ice floating on top. Just looking at it made us feel cooler.
What many visitors find surprising is that Koreans often eat cold naengmyeon after hot grilled pork belly.
At first, it seems like an unusual combination.
But after one bite, it makes perfect sense.
A mouthful of cold, refreshing noodles after rich, savory pork feels like the final period at the end of a long sentenceโbringing every flavor together and completing the meal.
The third course was homemade tangerine ade.
Gul-Ade
The sparkling bubbles and bright citrus flavor refreshed our palates once again. It was the perfect drink for a warm summer evening.
And finally, dessert.
Kkultteok.
Kkultteok
Small, round rice cakes with sweet honey hidden inside.
They may not be as elaborate as many Western desserts, but they are more than enough to end a meal beautifully. With each bite, the honey slowly flows out, leaving behind a simple sweetness.
That evening, we were not celebrating anything special.
It wasnโt anyoneโs birthday. There was no occasion, no achievement, and no grand event.
The weather was simply beautiful, and we happened to be craving naengmyeon.
But perhaps that is the charm of Korean food.
It doesnโt need a special reason.
A warm ray of sunshine. A conversation with family. And a sudden craving for a familiar dish.
Sometimes, that is all it takes to turn an ordinary Friday evening into a small celebration that washes away the fatigue of the week.
![[World Cup โฝ๏ธ๐จ๐ฆ]Canada Is Writing a New Soccer HiStory – Multiculturalism Is the Heartbeat of it. โฝ๏ธ](https://ssongkim.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/img_5875-1.jpeg)
