A Historic Win and a New Era for Canadian Football

Minutes after the final whistle was blown on Canada’s historic World Cup victory against South Africa on Sunday, coach Jesse Marsch gathered his players and staff in a huge huddle and delivered some words of inspiration to them. “Canadian heroes. ” he called his team after they won a knockout game at the tournament for the first time to reach the last 16.

“The future of the sport in this country is huge because of you,” Marsch told the team — Marsch is known for grandiose comments – exaggerated and emotional statements delivered to provide maximum impact. But his words here ring true – the sport in the country is changing.

“It is starting to become known as football now, not soccer,” one fan told BBC Sport before the match. “Canada is becoming a football nation.” That was the objective Marsch set out to achieve when he became Canada boss two years ago, a goal that at the time seemed highly unlikely for a country whose first love is widely regarded as ice hockey.

Forgotten Hosts Making an Impact

Mexico hosted this World Cup’s opener while the USA stages the final, though Attention has been far greater on the two in the build-up, leaving Canada as something like the forgotten co-host. But Canada quietly went about its business, building interest and passion for the tournament and their national team from within.

The country’s captain. Alphonso Davies. Is used to large. Football-mad crowds playing for Bayern Munich and in the Champions League. However, he has noticed the change in Canada since the World Cup got under way, and said he cried at seeing so many fans clad in red and white in Toronto for their opening game against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

“It was surreal because I’ve never seen so many Canadians at a football match before,” he said before the win against South Africa. “It brought tears to my eyes.”

A Free Hit as Canada Eyes More History

Next up for Canada will be a tricky test in the shape of either the Netherlands or Morocco. But whatever happens now, and regardless of how long Marsch is in charge of the national team, football in the country has arguably changed forever.

“I remember going to Canada games in the 1990s with my father and the Canadian fans were in the minority in their home matches,” said fan Harry before Sunday’s game. “It is incredible to see how many fans have come down into the USA to watch us, hopefully that energy can help improve us back home.”

Another supporter, Sean, added: “Places like Toronto have always had that much more following for soccer but hopefully it expands now to some of the cities and provinces outside of the major hubs, where typically Canada can be more of a big hockey country.”

It won’t be easy for Canada to continue their history-making run, with Morocco ranked sixth in the world and the Netherlands seventh. But belief can carry teams a long way and, given how Canada have surpassed expectations so far, it would be foolish to rule them out of causing an upset.

“In general my goal in this tournament, apart from inspiring our nation, was to make a run [so] that we could get to see one of the giants of the world,” Marsch added. “Given Morocco’s last six years they are a modern giant and given the success of the Dutch team for what feels like centuries that is a traditional giant. I feel like it is a free hit and we will go after it and do whatever we can to get a win.”