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Canada’s emphatic 6-0 victory over Qatar at FIFA World Cup 2026 sent shockwaves across the country, including to fans in Newfoundland and Labrador.
At a soccer pitch in Paradise, N.L., rain couldn’t stop the excitement on Friday.
“I was shocked. Because I thought they were going to win. But, like, not by that much,” Jack Perry, 12, told CBC News. He and his teammates play for the U12 Paradise Soccer Club team.
Canada secured the country’s first win at a World Cup. Half of their goals came from striker Jonathan David, who became the first Canadian to score a World Cup hat trick.
Canada’s next match is against Switzerland on June 24. The two nations are tied at four points in Group B standings, but Canada leads the group on goal differential.
Because of that, Canada only needs a tie to win the group. The top two teams from each group automatically advance to the Round of 32.
From left: Paradise U12 soccer players Eric Murphy, Jack Perry and Parker Crane said it was crazy to see Canada win a match at the World Cup. (Laura Howells/CBC)
Jack’s teammate, Parker Crane, believes Canada can go further.
“I think it’s gonna be a close game, ’cause they got a lot of momentum from the last game,” he said.
Win shows dreams can come true: N.L. soccer association
Charlie Reid, executive director of the Newfoundland and Labrador Soccer Association, said Canada showed tremendous heart in their victory. That was most evident when Canada midfielder Ismaël Koné had his left leg shattered during play.
“Seeing those Canadian players, you know, step up and step forward and represent the country the way they have has been special. And I think the country’s rallying behind them now. I think their momentum’s building,” Reid said Friday.
Charlie Reid, executive director of the Newfoundland and Labrador Soccer Association, says the World Cup has excited young players in the province. (Alex Kennedy/CBC)
Paradise soccer player Eric Murphy said his favourite moment of the game was seeing how the team rallied around Koné.
“That was pretty crazy. [There] was some good sportsmanship after the game, because one of his teammates held up the jersey after the game.”
WATCH | A historic moment could pay off for soccer in N.L.:
Canada’s first World Cup win could boost soccer in N.L.
A historic moment for soccer in Canada. A first-ever world cup game win. And as CBC’s Laura Howells reports, this World Cup run could mean a boost for soccer in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Reid said he’s already seen that passion for the game grow among the province’s young players.
Players have been keen to see the action, he said, and soccer clubs have been scheduling practices around matches so that kids can take part in watch parties.
He called Friday’s win a galvanizing moment for soccer in the country, and hopes it can lead players to dream even bigger.
“I think that puts some great ideas in kids’ heads to say ‘Hey, that can be me someday,” Reid said. “I don’t think there’s any reason why a player from Newfoundland and Labrador can’t be on that stage at some point in the future.”
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