Canada coach Herdman notes Panama's competitive advantage ahead of CONCACAF Nations League clash

On the eve of the CONCACAF Nations League semifinal against Panama, Canada coach John Herdman sounded another warning that help is needed off the field for his team to continue to flourish on it.

Herdman noted that 58th-ranked Panama has been in camp 10 days and already played a game, beating No. 140 Nicaragua 3-2 on Saturday.

The 47th-ranked Canadian men go into Thursday's game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas with some four days preparation.

And while Herdman spoke out in support of Canada Soccer interim general secretary Jason deVos, a former Canada captain, and the current board, he said there is more work to be done.

"Things are changing but it's got to change quick," Herdman told reporters. "It's going to come down to dollars and the investment and a commitment and words turning into actions quickly. Because we've got a team here that has got a chance of doing something really special at a home World Cup [in 2026]. You can feel it. You can smell it. But we need that change."

The issue of support for Canada's national teams, from the men's and women's senior squads to youth sides, has been front and centre in recent months in ongoing labour talks.

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Asked if he sees light at the end of that funding tunnel, Herdman could only offer hope and hard work.

"All I can control is what I can control and to keep bringing my passion to wherever I can bring it. To influence and get people fired up and to try and move the needle in places where the vision might not be clear," he said. "So I'll just keep doing what I can do from the position I'm in ... to keep moving this program forward.

The Canadian men are looking for their first trophy since lifting the CONCACAF Gold