Moments after the final whistle blew on Canada’s historic World Cup victory against South Africa on Sunday, coach Jesse Marsch gathered his players and staff in a huge huddle. “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.”
The win was the culmination of a remarkable turnaround for a team that had lost all six of its previous World Cup matches. Before this tournament, Canada’s record was played six and lost six. They immediately picked up a historic point with a draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina, then thrashed Qatar 6-0 to seal their place in the knockouts. A defeat by Switzerland denied them the opportunity to play their last-32 game in Canada, so instead they travelled to Los Angeles – the first time in history a World Cup host had played a match outside their own country.
“Canada reach World Cup last 16 for first time after beating South Africa, with coach Jesse Marsch calling his team 'Canadian heroes'.”
Despite that, the crowd at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood felt like a home one, with large and vocal Canadian support. Thousands had also packed fan zones back in Canada to cheer on the team. The country’s captain, Alphonso Davies, used to playing in front of massive crowds for Bayern Munich, said he cried at seeing so many fans clad in red and white in Toronto for their opening game. “It was surreal because I’ve never seen so many Canadians at a football match before,” he said before the win against South Africa.
Marsch became Canada boss two years ago with a goal that at the time seemed highly unlikely for a country whose first love is widely regarded as ice hockey. Mexico hosted the World Cup’s opener while the USA stages the final, leaving Canada as something like the forgotten co-host. But Canada quietly built interest and passion from within. “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.”
The transformation is undeniable. Marsch, known for grandiose and emotional statements, saw his words ring true. The win against South Africa – played on Sunday evening UK time, broadcast live on ITV1 and STV with coverage starting at 7.15pm – was more than just a football result. It was a declaration that the sport in Canada is changing, and that the team has become, as their coach declared, heroes.