World Cup 2026: Canada making history as they reach last 16

Minutes after the final whistle blew in Canada’s historic match World Cup victory against South Africa On Sunday, coach Jesse Marsch gathered his players and staff in a big meeting and gave them some inspiring words.

He called his team, which won a qualifying match for the first time in the tournament and reached the last 16, “Canadian heroes.”

“The future of sports in this country is huge, thanks to you.”

Marsch is known for his grandiose interpretations that feature exaggerated and emotional expressions for maximum impact.

But his words here seem to be true; Sports in the country are changing.

“It’s starting to be known as football, not football anymore,” one fan told BBC Sport before the match.

“Canada is becoming a football nation.”

That’s the goal Marsch was trying to achieve when he became Canada’s boss two years ago; It was an unlikely goal at the time for a country whose first love was widely regarded as ice hockey.

While Mexico hosted the opening of the World Cup, the USA staged the final. In the preparation phase, interest in the duo was much greater and Canada remained like a forgotten co-host.

But Canada quietly went about its business, generating interest and passion for the tournament and the national team from within.

The country’s captain, Alphonso Davies, is used to football-mad crowds playing for Bayern Munich and the Champions League.

But he noticed the change in Canada after the World Cup started, and said he cried when he saw so many fans wearing red and white in their opening game against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto.

“It was surreal because I’ve never seen so many Canadians in a football game before,” he said before the win against South Africa.

“It brought tears to my eyes.”