Fans cheering on Team Canada at the Rosters Sports Club Bar & Grill (Image Credit: Liam Verster / Vernon Matters)

By Liam Verster

World Cup

National pride felt as Vernonites take in Canada at the FIFA World Cup

Jun 12, 2026 | 1:05 PM

Vernon bars and restaurants saw a good turnout of fans cheering on Team Canada in their debut at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The national team hit the pitch in Toronto at noon local time to take on Bosnia and Herzegovina in their opener of the international soccer tournament, and many fans were out cheering on the players in red.

“[I feel] proud, I’m ready to go. Let’s go,” Stefano told Vernon Matters while catching the game at the Roster.

“I think this is Canada’s best opportunity in a long time so I’m happy to see some results here,” said Chris, adding that although he was cheering on Canada, his real support fell to his home country.

“Great to see [Team Canada] out there and playing well,” Debbie said while watching the game at Match Eatery.

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“It’s looking good, I think, I’m looking forward to when it comes to Vancouver. I’m going to Vancouver [this weekend] but I won’t be catching any games unless i get some cheap tickets, which is not going to happen, but I’m going to soak in the atmosphere,” said Brad while catching the action at The Kal.

“I’m a little disappointed that they let that ball in [in the first half] but they’re playing well, controlling the ball, and I think they’ll come up in the second half and hopefully win it,” Jan told Vernon Matters, adding she and the friends she was having lunch with while watching the game were proud of Canada.

“Canada’s playing really well but we need a striker, we’re just running out there and doing nothing. I think they’re playing but they’re just not being concise with what they’re doing, but it’s all right so far,” Bruno added.

Team Canada did come back in the match, finishing with a 1-1 tie and earning their first ever point at a FIFA World Cup game.

Canada has only played in the World Cup twice before, in 1986 and in 2022. In both those cases, the squad wearing the Maple Leaf finished fourth in their division and were eliminated during the qualification round.