Canada international John Phillips passes away

John Phillips, a Past Para Soccer National Team international, has passed away after a lengthy battle with pneumonia. The former fullback from Collingwood, Ontario represented Canada at five IFCPF World Cups and two Parapanamerican Games. He was just 34 years old when he passed away.

Phillips will be celebrated by friends and family on 15 August at the Collingwood Legion in the Sports Room.

“We will remember John as the witty, fun, and incredible human being that he was,” said Drew Ferguson, Canada Soccer’s National Team Head Coach. “We will remember the tenacity and strength that he had every time he stepped on the pitch. We’ll continue his legacy by going through life the way John did: with a smile that lit up any room and with willingness to be the best he could be.”

Phillips spent 11 years with Canada Soccer’s Para National Team from 2007 to 2017. He was just 16 years old when he made his debut on 13 August 2007 at the Parapanamerican Games in Rio, Brazil. Just five days later, he picked up a historic bronze medal after Canada beat USA in the medal round. From there, Phillps went on to represent Canada in international competition in Canada, the Netherlands, USA, Argentina, Portugal, Spain, and England. When he left international football in 2017, he ranked third all time for Canada in international “A” appearances.

As noted in his obituary, “soccer gave John a sense of accomplishments and joy. It helped shape him into the man we saw before us, strong, passionate, and courageous.”

Phillips was born and raised in Collingwood where he made his soccer debut with Collingwood Optimist Youth Soccer Association. He passed away on 18 June 2026 in Orillia, Ontario.