Both Team USA and Canada kick off their tournament runs this weekend, and there's a former member of the Orange on each team.
The World Cup begins on Thursday, pitting the best soccer-playing countries in the world against each other in a battle for global supremacy.
While the World Cup is always a great spectacle no matter who you're rooting for, Syracuse fans do have some really good reasons to watch the tournament: Former SU soccer alumni Miles Robinson (Team USA) and Tajon Buchanan (Canada) are both on the rosters for their respective nations.
Earlier this month, SyracuseRoundtable covered the significance of Robinson's selection to the Team USA squad, as he's the first Orange alumni to suit up for the Red, White and Blue. We heard from Syracuse soccer head coach Ian McIntyre, who said this in regards to Robinson's selection.
With regards to Buchanan, he's the first Syracuse player to ever play in two World Cups, as he also represented Canada in the 2022 event.
About Miles Robinson
Despite not playing on the high school team in his hometown of Arlington, Mass., Robinson committed to Syracuse in 2015. In his freshman campaign, Robinson helped lead the Orange to the Final Four, where they lost against Clemson. Robinson's sophomore season included another NCAA Tournament appearance, along with him being named the ACC's Defensive Player of the Year.
After two seasons, Robinson left Syracuse to begin his professional career. The last decade has included stints with FC Boston, Atlanta United and FC Cincinnati, where he currently plays in the MLS.
Robinson was projected as a team member for Team USA for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, however a ruptured Achilles tendon in May prevented him from taking the pitch.
About Buchanan
Buchanan spent two years in Central New York, donning the "Block S" in 2017-18 before getting drafted No. 9 overall in the MLS SuperDraft and leaving school. He was taken by the New England Revolution and is currently playing for CF Villareal in Spain's La Liga.
As a freshman, Buchanan was a member of the All-ACC Third Team, and he earned First-Team honors as a sophomore. He led the Orange in scoring as a sophomore with 20 points. He also had a rare hat trick against St. Bonaventure, becoming just the 34th player in school history to record the feat.
In 2022's World Cup, he registered an assist on Canada's first goal.
How does the World Cup work?
The 2026 World Cup format will have 48 teams divided into 12 groups of four countries in each group. Each team will play one match against all three teams in their selected group. The top two teams in each group will then advance to the Round of 32. That will make 24 teams, and then eight more third-place teams will round out the Round of 32.
A country earns three points for a win, 1 point for a draw and zero points for a loss.
Once the 32-team field is set, those teams will compete in a single-elimination tournament. The finals will be held on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
How to watch/listen to Team USA on Friday
Team USA's first World Cup match is set for Friday at 9 p.m. ET against Paraguay. For television viewing, fans can tune into FOX. For non-cable subscribers, fans can stream the match via FOX One, Fubo, DirecTV, and Peacock has the Spanish-language broadcast.
On the radio side, IHeartMedia affiliates across Upstate New York are scheduled to air the match. Each station is scheduled to begin their coverage at 8:30 p.m. ET.
In Syracuse- WSYR 570 AM
In Rochester-WHTK 1280 AM
In Albany- WOFX Fox Sports 95.9 and 980AM
And as for Canada at the World Cup?
Friday, June 12 (3 p.m. ET, Toronto) - vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina (On television on FOX)
Thursday, June 18 (6 p.m. ET, Vancouver) vs. Qatar
Wednesday, June 24 (3 p.m. ET, Vancouver) vs. Switzerland
Canada is playing in Group B and will be looking to advance out of pool play and into the elimination round. The World Cup is being hosted in various sites around North America
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