Thousands of fans gather in Vancouver ahead of Team Canada versus Switzerland match today.
Riding high on last week’s incredible win, Canada fans are electric and are bringing the energy ahead of today’s World Cup game.
Canada is set to face Switzerland today, playing their third match, and right at home at BC Place in Vancouver.
Last Thursday, Canada defeated Qatar 6-0 which sent the country and fans into an uproar of excitement.
The team had a day of many firsts that game, including Canada’s first-ever win in a men’s FIFA World Cup match, and Jonathan David became the first Canadian men’s soccer player to score a hat trick at the World Cup.
After Team Canada’s outstanding success in Thursday’s game, they’re currently leading Group B in the World Cup standings.
Switzerland also defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 4-1 in their last game on June 18.
Prior to today’s kickoff, The Brandon Gonez Show caught up with Canada fans in Vancouver, who expressed their unwavering confidence that the team will secure a victory today.
“[I’m] really impressed so far with our performances, our grit, stepping in, challenging hard, pressing hard,” Canada fan Bruce told The Brandon Gonez Show. “In our previous game, I mean, we didn’t let off the throttle, we really kept going for the win. And I think now that it’s going to open up a little bit against Switzerland.”
Team Canada fan Spencer also believes Canada will defeat Switzerland, especially if team captain Alphonso Davies has play time today. He believes Canada will win 3-1.
“We’re gonna win. I don’t know how, and I don’t care, but we’re gonna win. We got this,” says Spencer.
Alphonso Davies did not play last game despite getting medical clearance.
Canada fans are covering Vancouver streets in red and white ahead of the march towards BC Place.
Which host city is more hyped: Toronto or Vancouver?
Canada fans in Vancouver celebrated last week’s win with thousands gathering to the streets to celebrate.
Team Canada fan Bruce, shares that the game hosted in Toronto on June 12, didn’t bring the energy like Vancouver did last week.
“Did you see the empty seats in Toronto? Come on Toronto, let’s go, pick it up,” says Bruce. “I’m just disappointed in the fans, or maybe FIFA for the prices. But you know what, we need to fill those stands, we need to support our team, so that’s the important part. They need to know that we’re behind them.”
To witness the historic World Cup tournament being hosted in Canada, numerous supporters from Toronto have made the journey to Vancouver to see their national team compete at BC Place.
“I wanted to bring the energy, support the boys, be there as many games as I can. Like, we’re never gonna get another World Cup in our country, probably in our lifetime or at least, while we’re young and we can party,” shares a Toronto-based fan who is visiting Vancouver for the game.
Fans show their support for Koné
The Vancouver streets already have thousands gathering in red to begin marching to BC Place before the game.
Handheld signs of the number eight are being handed out in support of Team Canada midfielder Ismaël Koné, who suffered a leg fracture during last week’s game.
There are around 8000 signs being given out ahead of the game, and a banner is also being signed by fans for Koné.
“We just want to show our support, and seeing what happened to him was just tragic, and it upset everybody. And we just want to say, thank you for being there,” a leader of the initiative, Jamie Macleod told The Brandon Gonez Show.
Signs with the number eight are being handed out in support of Team Canada midfielder Ismaël Koné, and fans are signing a poster for the player.
Adam van Koeverden, the Secretary of State for Sport of Canada shared a sweet message for Koné with The Brandon Gonez Show.
“I’d give him a hug, and I’d tell him we love him, and I’d tell him that we want to see a full recovery, and we want to see him back in the World Cup in four years,” says van Koeverden.
He also said Koné displayed a great example for children watching the game because of how well he carried himself after his injury.
“I think he’s gained a lot of fans because of the way he sat up in that stretcher and applauded the fans for cheering the way they did. And he went over and he shook the hands of his opponents, which just demonstrated such class and character,” he added.
Brandon Gonez and Adam van Koeverden, the Secretary of State for Sport of Canada in Vancouver.
Soccer ‘runs in Canada’s veins‘
According to van Koeverden, the idea that Canada isn’t a nation with a deep passion for soccer is a common misconception.
“You know a lot of these interviews are sort of prefaced with, ‘but like, Canada’s not a soccer nation.’ Like hell yeah, we’re a soccer nation, we have an Olympic gold medal in soccer. Canada is a great soccer country, whether you call it soccer, football, I don’t care. But this is a sport that we love. This is a sport that runs in our veins,” he says.
