Canada reaches World Cup last 16 at home as hosting boosts fan interest and local business

Canada’s men’s national team reached the World Cup round of 16 in Vancouver, coach Jesse Marsch said after the match in June and July, marking the furthest the side has advanced and producing the tournament’s most significant result for Canadian football.

The team’s run included the country’s first World Cup point, first match win and first knockout-stage victory, culminating in a round-of-16 defeat by Morocco. Fans and officials described the performance as a landmark moment for Canadian soccer.

Across host cities Toronto and Vancouver, public enthusiasm grew during the shared North American staging of the tournament. Toronto and Vancouver together hosted 13 of the 104 matches, and local streets, bars and stadium approaches filled with fans during matchdays.

Prime Minister Mark Carney, who attended stadium games, congratulated the team after the 6-0 win over Qatar in Vancouver and visited the locker room to praise players’ character. Sports minister Adam van Koeverden said hosting the event was a privilege and defended public spending as supporting local economic activity.

Local business groups reported upticks in trade. Ian Tostenson of the British Columbia Restaurant and Foodservices Association noted higher sales during the event and said the World Cup lifted spirits and consumer spending in the province.

Municipal spending drew criticism as well. Taxpayers funded an estimated C$1.1bn to prepare Canada’s venues, with Toronto alone spending about C$380m. City councillor Josh Matlow questioned whether the costs improved the city’s financial position.

Attendance and broadcast figures were strong: Fifa reported more than a million attendees at the first 16 matches across the three host countries, and Bell Media said Canadian viewership for the Morocco match peaked at 11.7 million unique viewers, a record for a non-final match.

Canada Soccer reported significant fundraising gains tied to the tournament, meeting a C$25m target months early. The governing body plans to use the funds for youth participation, coaching development and support for national teams, and officials hope the on-field success and fresh interest will strengthen domestic football infrastructure.

Visitors and opponents commented on the host cities’ atmosphere. Portugal manager Roberto Martinez likened Toronto’s stadium to traditional English grounds, while attending fans praised sightlines and the matchday experience.

Supporters surveyed in Calgary and other cities said the team’s performance united diverse groups of fans and could expand soccer’s following in a country where ice hockey remains the dominant sport.