Cutting across age groups, backgrounds, and skill levels, a growing number of Canadians are uniting around two shared passions: soccer and drones.

While the pairing might seem unlikely, Drone Soccer is quickly emerging as a new frontier in sports and education. The concept transforms drones into players, with teams competing to score goals in a high-tech version of the world’s most popular game.

This shift comes against the backdrop of a controversial moment in Canadian soccer. During the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, Canadian men’s and women’s soccer coaches were accused of unsporting behavior, including using drones to spy on opponents’ training sessions. Though the episode made headlines, it has since faded into history. Today, Canada is working to reinvent its image – this time by blending sportsmanship with innovation.

Leading the charge is Drone Soccer Canada, under the leadership of its President, Rajan Chugh.

“More than just a game – Drone Soccer is a movement. We are building the next generation of tech leaders, engineers, and innovators by making STEM learning fun, immersive, and real-world applicable,” says Chugh.

He adds, “Bringing the future of STEM education to life with Drone Soccer! It is here where innovation meets competition in the sky. It is a sport that combines gaming, robotics, aerospace, and AI – all while teaching students the STEM skills of the future. Welcome to Drone Soccer Canada, a one-of-a-kind, high-energy, tech-powered sport designed to engage, educate, and inspire.”

This week, Chugh is leading the first-ever Canadian Drone Soccer team to South Korea for the inaugural FIDA World Cup Championship in Jeonju. The Federation International Drone Soccer Association (FIDA) was established in December 2022, with headquarters at the Drone Soccer Stadium in Jeonju. Led by President Sangheub Ro, the organization promotes Drone Soccer worldwide, linking the sport to the growth of the drone industry and fostering international cooperation.

Though Drone Soccer originated in South Korea, one of the world’s fastest-growing technology hubs, it has quickly spread globally. Countries such as the United States, Mexico, Nigeria, Jamaica, Thailand, Taiwan, Australia, China, Costa Rica, the Philippines, Vietnam, Canada, the UK, and Spain are already active members. Asian nations including India, Singapore, China, and Japan have also embraced the sport.

Each Drone Soccer match lasts 30 minutes, split into three rounds of three minutes each, separated by five-minute rest periods. Entry-level drones cost around CAD 500, with more advanced models available for higher levels of competition. Matches are categorized by classes, starting from Class 20 and Class 40, depending on the players’ proficiency.

On Sunday morning, the 10-member Canadian squad departed for Seoul with a mix of excitement and pride, ready to make history at the World Cup. The team includes Jannat Vaid, Ariana Juneja, Grace Juneja, Viraj Joneja, Priyanka Kaushal, Rajan Chugh, Kashif, Parminder Singh, and Devansh Punawala, with Bhatti serving as Technical Maintenance Head.

Chugh emphasizes the inclusive nature of the sport: “This is a gender- and age-free game. A player of any gender and any age group can compete.”

CEO of FIDA Canada, Manjesh, notes that Drone Soccer is rapidly expanding across the country, already reaching schools and institutions across 23 zones. Earlier this year, Canadian players represented the country at an invitational event in Palm Springs, California, where they finished third behind the United States and Mexico.

At the Jeonju championship, Canada will compete against 31 other international teams in what promises to be a landmark event for this emerging sport.

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