CBC'S SOCCER DAY IN CANADA CELEBRATES THE BEAUTIFUL GAME WITH FIRST-EVER BROADCAST, SUNDAY, JULY 8

Inaugural telecast headlined by FIFA U-20 World Cup doubleheader featuring Team Canada

Manny Arantes watches his son Josh Arantes, 10, kick the soccer ball in Mississauga, Ont. Arantes is among thousands of fathers across Canada stepping out of the stands and onto the soccer fields, volunteering their time as coaches to their kids and others in their communities. (Nathan Denette/GettyCanadian Press)

As soccer fever continues to take Canada by storm with the FIFA U-20 World Cup, the inaugural CBC'S SOCCER DAY IN CANADA takes the field on Sunday, July 8 at 3 p.m. ET to celebrate the beautiful game and provide a snapshot of the sport's growing popularity in Canada from soccer pitches all across the country.

The first-ever edition of CBC'S SOCCER DAY IN CANADA examines soccer's current role in and impact on Canadian society, with a particular focus on the phenomenal growth of the game at the grassroots level. Headlining the celebration is a must-see FIFA U-20 World Cup doubleheader kicking off at 5 p.m. ET with Portugal versus Gambia from Montreal, followed by Canada against Congo at 7:30 p.m. ET from Edmonton.

On CBC Country Canada, viewers can see live coverage of New Zealand versus Mexico at 5:15 p.m. ET and Chile versus Austria at 8 p.m. ET. Sunday is the final day of group match play, with qualifying teams heading to the Round of 16 beginning on Wednesday. Host Scott Russell will be front and centre at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton to host the broadcast extravaganza and provide reports as Team Canada gears up for its final game of group match play that evening, while analysts Dick Howard and Bob Lenarduzzi, along with reporter Mitch Peacock, check in from the studio in Toronto.

During the broadcast, CBC'S SOCCER DAY IN CANADA will visit the following locations across the country, exploring soccer's importance in these communities:

• Edmonton, Alberta - Russell will be joined by Nigel Reed and Craig Forrest at Commonwealth Stadium to report on the FIFA U-20 World Cup New Zealand versus Mexico and Canada versus Congo matches
• St. John's, Newfoundland & Labrador - Peter Gullage reports from a celebrity soccer game at King George V field - featuring Rex Goudie, Brad Gushue and Mark Critch - with all proceeds going to Kidsport and minor league soccer in Newfoundland
• Laval, Quebec - Lynne Robson reports from the Compétence 2000 grounds at the Laval Cup, one of Quebec's largest soccer tournaments
• Vancouver, British Columbia - Karin Larsen will be on-location from the Wish Cup Soccer Festival at David Lam Park, reporting on the special 24-team tournament that will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of B.C. / Yukon and the Creative Peace Network Society. Canada's national women's soccer team will also make a special guest appearance

In addition to visiting several locations throughout Canada, CBC'S SOCCER DAY IN CANADA telecast will present the following stories:

• "Island Games" - Sara Fraser tells the story of a 17-member women's soccer team from P.E.I., aged between 17-27, headed to the International Island Games in Rhodes, Greece
• "The Ultimate Soccer Mom" - in Yorkton, Sask., Jean Fetsch, a former National women's soccer team member now organizes or coaches seven of her nine children's soccer teams
• "FIFA Escorts" - Dan Seguin tells the story of a 12 year-old-girl from the Ottawa area, who plays for the U-12 FC Capital United Regional Team, and whose dream is to be selected as an "escort captain" at the FIFA U-20 World Cup; her story is also one of being a new Canadian, as her father is a former Kenyan sprinter and soccer player
• "Homeless Soccer" - Cameron MacIntosh takes a look at a league of homeless soccer players who are trying to make the team for the World Cup of Homeless Soccer, held this July in Copenhagen.
• "Toronto FC Fanatics" - Mark Kelly spends a day in the Fan Zone at a recent Toronto FC game to see why fans are so fanatical about the game
• "Nunavut Kids" - A group of young people from across western Nunavut will travel to Edmonton, Alta. to attend soccer clinics and FIFA U-20 World Cup games. Odile Nelson reveals how the trip is a reward for their dedication to both the sport and their education.

Also on Sunday at 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT, CBC Radio One's extensive coverage from the FIFA U-20 World Cup continues with a special edition of CROSS COUNTRY CHECKUP, Canada's only open-line radio program. A national call-in show will discuss "whether Canada with its hockey obsession could ever become a world soccer power?" Soccer fans can also listen on Sirius Satellite Radio channel 137.

And, CBC Newsworld's coverage continues with FIFA U-20 TODAY at 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT and FIFA U-20 TONIGHT at 11:30 p.m. ET / 8:30 PT each game-day during the tournament. Host Tom Harrington will bring viewers the top stories, plays and interviews that will make this event a once-in-a-lifetime experience for all Canadian soccer fans.

Soccer fans can visit CBCsports.ca/fifau20 for a complete broadcast schedule, watch free and on-demand video streaming of all games (42 of them live), comprehensive features, news and results throughout CBC'S SOCCER DAY IN CANADA the FIFA U-20 World Cup.