Chisholm: That was a definite banger for me

Olivia Chisholm is enjoying an annus mirabilis. Over the past 12 months, the Canada midfielder has taken part in the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2025™, signed her first professional contract with Northern Super League club AFC Toronto and been named the 2025 Canada Soccer Young Player of the Year.

The 17-year-old has since followed that up by seamlessly moving up to the U-20 set-up, where she has thrived as one of the younger players in the roster at Poland 2026. Her stunning long-distance strike in the 6-0 victory over Tanzania at her maiden FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup™ highlights her huge promise.

Not known for being a goalscorer, Chisholm showed another dimension to her game in the 49th minute in Katowice, when she struck the ball into the net with venom from the edge of the area.

"Yes [it's one of the best goals I've ever scored], but only because I don't score much. It was definitely a banger for me," she told FIFA.

"When the ball came out, I took a touch, looked up, took another one and thought, 'You know what, I'm just going to have it, there's a gap for me to take the shot'. So I took it and when it went in, it was definitely a very proud moment for me, all my team-mates coming around me."

Chisholm was one of the more experienced players in Morocco, starting every match, and recording a goal and an assist to help Canada reach the quarter-finals. She started Canada's first two games in Poland and made an immediate impact in coming on as a half-time substitute against Tanzania.

"It's an honour [to be here], we are obviously working so hard together and we've secured our goal of achieving third place, so hopefully we are through to the next round. It's always an honour to play for Canada," she added.

"It's definitely different going from being the oldest to the youngest on the team. But the team has been so welcoming and age is not really a factor in any of that. The competition is a little bit harder, but I think I am managing it pretty well."

Chisholm's team-mates believe she has an extremely bright future ahead of her.

"She's a great player, honestly. I think when she is face-forward and in the pocket, she can do special things. She is a pretty young player and has such a bright future ahead of her," Canada captain Annabelle Chukwu told FIFA.

Canada coach Cindy Tye added: "She is great and also has another cycle in her, she's a younger player. She plays for Toronto and is learning that position. [She is] defensively very solid and connects us. For her to be more offensive-minded and to get in position to take more shots like that, that's what we'll need to see more of and it was obviously a great finish today for her."

Read more: Christine Sinclair on her iconic 2002 performance and Canada's chances