What to know
- Canada faces Qatar at BC Place in Vancouver on June 18.
- The match marks Canada’s first World Cup game in Vancouver after opening the tournament in Toronto.
- Canada earned a 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina in its first match.
- Fans are optimistic Canada can secure its first win of the tournament.
- Supporters are hoping stars Jonathan David and Alphonso Davies can make a major impact.
The World Cup spotlight is shifting from Toronto to Vancouver.
After opening its tournament with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina at Toronto Stadium, Canada now heads west for a crucial matchup against Qatar at BC Place on Thursday.
And if the fans are any indication, confidence in the home side remains high.
Now Toronto hit the streets to ask supporters who they think will come out on top—and many believe Canada’s first World Cup win is right around the corner.
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Here’s who FIFA fans are supporting and their predictions
U.S.-born Shane A. is supporting Team Canada in their game against Qatar.
“Canada, go Canada all day, every day. Yes, they’re gonna win for sure. They’ve been practicing hard, they want it, and they know that we need it as a country, so all the way, Canada, we have faith in you,” she told Now Toronto.
Shane’s optimistic that Canada will beat Qatar by two points, calling it a “need.”
She’s hoping for injured players to “pull it together and be able to play,” Shane said.
Toronto resident Steven L. was caught wearing a U.S. jacket but is still rooting for Canada to beat Qatar.
“I think we’re just a better team. I actually went to the Bosnia game. We dominated, especially in the second half. I think we got this one, Canada’s first win of the World Cup,” he told Now Toronto.
He thinks Canada has the skills to win 2-0.
Toronto resident Montel F. believes Team Canada’s star players will take the win home.
“Because the promise, David, and Jonathan David, and hopefully Alfonso Davies makes an appearance,” he told Now Toronto.
Montel believes it will end 2-1.
Whether it’s Jonathan David finding the back of the net, Alphonso Davies making an impact, or simply the boost of playing before another packed Canadian crowd, supporters believe Canada’s first World Cup victory could be coming sooner rather than later.
Now they’ll find out if their predictions hold up when Canada takes the pitch at BC Place on Thursday night.
Canada looking to build on opening result
Canada’s tournament began with a draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the first men’s World Cup match ever played on Canadian soil.
While some fans were disappointed not to come away with all three points, many left Toronto encouraged by Canada’s performance, particularly during stretches of the second half when the team controlled possession and created several scoring chances.
A win against Qatar would significantly strengthen Canada’s chances of advancing to the knockout stage.
Vancouver hosts Canada’s next World Cup test
The match will be Canada’s first World Cup game at Vancouver’s BC Place, one of two Canadian venues hosting matches during the tournament.
The stadium is expected to welcome more than 50,000 fans as Canada takes on Qatar, which hosted the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The game also represents a chance for Canada to build momentum before its final group-stage match.
