'We still have a job to do': John Herdman staying put as Canada men's soccer coach

John Herdman is staying put.

After a morning of speculation fuelled by a New Zealand report that the Canada men's soccer coach had agreed to take over the 105th-ranked All Whites, Herdman and Canada Soccer put out the fire with a statement Wednesday.

"Success at this level will always invite opportunity," Herdman said in a Canada Soccer statement. "I've received several offers in recent months, all of which I have turned down, including an offer from New Zealand Football.

"To our Canadian players and our fans, I want to reiterate my commitment to Canada Soccer and the growing of this program. At the World Cup in Qatar, our men showed the world that they belong at that level. I'm not going anywhere. We still have a job to do, and the objective is to take this team to the next level in 2026."

Earl Cochrane, Canada Soccer's general secretary, confirmed Herdman is under contract through the 2026 World Cup that Canada is co-hosting.

"There is no doubt how much passion and commitment John and his coaching staff have poured into our men's national team program, taking our men from outsiders to our first World Cup in 36 years," said Cochrane. "Everyone in our organization is committed to John and his coaching staff and he is the right person to take our country to new heights."

WATCH | Herdman discusses next steps for Team Canada:

Herdman's record at the Canadian men's helm is 32-13-5 since leaving the women's program in January 2018. And his light shines bright after a World Cup that saw Canada win a legion of fans after showing its potential in losses to elite opposition in Belgium, Croatia and Morocco in Qatar.

Canada Soccer president Nick Bontis said Herdman's recently presented blueprint for the future of the Canadian men