Canada – 2022

The anticipation was high. Canada played really well and proved they can compete at the highest level. It was a bummer not to win and not to score a goal. I’d love to go into all the details of the game, but I am shooting a conference early tomorrow and chances are good you watched the game yourself and don’t need to relive it, so I’m going to let all the pictures do more of the the talking for themselves. The photos I took right before and right after the blocked penalty kick are pretty self explanatory. Anyway, this is what Canada World Cup Fans in Toronto finally looks like!

Despite the outcome, it was one heck of an entertaining and impressive game for Canada, and it will only make that first goal on Sunday that much more exciting. I think everyone wanted that first goal to be today, and, you know, capture it on their cell phone (I count at least 15 phones in the photo above… this might be the most documented blocked shot in the history of soccer).

One small note I wanted to make about the shot below. Success breeds success. We’ve seen it with the women’s team in Canada, and there is every reason to believe this showing at the World Cup will only make the men’s team that much more successful. That’s the kind of thing that can happen with that many more kids putting eyes on a sport, knowing that one day they too can play in the World Cup. Is that too corny? Should I keep this paragraph out? Nah, I’ve got a five year-old kid at home, I see what this tournament means to him, I’m going to keep it in!

One other thing, shout out to the opening and post game band Orangeman at Cafe Diplomatico. Really solid and fun and a great addition to a pretty amazing afternoon put on by the Cafe.

Canada World Cup in Toronto Game Details

Date: November 23, 2022
Score of game: Belgium 1, Canada 0
Location: Cafe Diplomatico, 594 College St, Toronto, ON
Estimated number of fans at location: 200

It took me 16 years, but I have finally photographed Canada World Cup Fans in Toronto!