After Canada's historic 6-0 victory over Qatar in Vancouver last week—the nation's first-ever FIFA World Cup win—soccer fans in Regina are rallying behind the national men's team ahead of their next match against Switzerland.
Local bars like The Lobby Kitchen & Bar have been filled with supporters wearing red and black jerseys, cheering so loudly that the energy nearly rattled the walls. The atmosphere mirrored the excitement at BC Place Stadium, where the match took place.
Local businesses see surge in customers
"As a fan, I think it's amazing to finally have a World Cup where we have a country that we're all from … a good team and possibly going to go on to the knockout stages," said Kashmir Bahia, owner of The Lobby Kitchen & Bar. "Typically summer is our busy time, but you throw in a World Cup with Canada in it, we've definitely noticed an increase in customer traffic."
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the first to be hosted by Canada, with Toronto and Vancouver co-hosting alongside Mexico and the United States. Canada has only qualified for three World Cups, first appearing in 1986, and has never advanced past the group stage.
Canada's path to the knockout stage
Canada opened the tournament with a 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto, then routed Qatar 6-0. Now, the team faces Switzerland on Wednesday at 1 p.m. in Vancouver in a pivotal Group B match.
A win or draw against Switzerland would secure top spot in the group and an automatic berth in the Round of 32. A loss would likely leave Canada in second place, still qualifying automatically. However, a heavy Canadian loss combined with a large Bosnian win over Qatar—by a goal differential of nine or more—could drop Canada to third place, requiring a wild-card spot.
Local soccer clubs fuel fan excitement
The tournament has sparked enthusiasm in Regina and Saskatoon, where local soccer clubs have created environments for fans of all ages to learn the sport and participate in tournaments. Josh Hartl, technical director for Regina's Queen City United Soccer Club, attended the game against Qatar and was deeply impressed.
"The atmosphere, the sea of red, it sounds crazy but being in the stands and just watching the game, there was legitimate 'pinch me' moments," said Hartl. "I don't know if it's something I'll ever see again."
A growing soccer culture in Saskatchewan
With Canada's success on the world stage, interest in soccer continues to grow in Saskatchewan. Fans are hopeful that the national team can advance further than ever before, bringing more attention to the sport in the region.
