13 Million Canadians Balance World Cup Loyalties as Canada Opens Against Bosnia
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jun 11
13 Million Canadians Balance World Cup Loyalties as Canada Opens Against Bosnia
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jun 11
Summary
More than 35% of Canadians — about 13 million people — identify with multiple ethnic or cultural origins, a reality on display as Canada opens its home World Cup against Bosnia in Toronto.
Friday's match has sharpened those split loyalties: Bosnian-Canadian fans plan mixed-team outfits and large watch parties, including a 26-foot-screen gathering in Etobicoke expected to draw hundreds.
Canada Soccer has leaned into that diversity as part of the tournament's pitch, with officials casting it as a national strength even as the wider North American event has been complicated by US visa and travel policies.
The celebration comes with limits: Canada is hosting 26 matches across Toronto and Vancouver, but taxpayers face a bill of just over C$1 billion and high ticket prices have left some seats unsold.