Canada's men's national team is making history at the current World Cup, reaching the knockout stage for the first time. Coach Jesse Marsch has hailed the team as "Canadian heroes," stating that their performance will significantly impact the future of soccer in the country. This achievement is contributing to a growing passion for the sport, with fans noting a shift in perception, increasingly referring to the game as "football" rather than "soccer."
When Marsch took over as Canada's head coach two years ago, his stated objective was to elevate the sport's status in a nation traditionally dominated by ice hockey. While Mexico and the United States are hosting key matches of the tournament, Canada has been building interest and support for its national team from within.
Alphonso Davies, the team's captain, who is accustomed to large crowds from his time playing for Bayern Munich, has observed a marked change in Canada since the World Cup began. He described being moved to tears by the sight of numerous Canadian fans in red and white at their opening match in Toronto against Bosnia-Herzegovina, calling the experience "surreal."