In multicultural Toronto, World Cup loyalties stretch beyond Canada | TheBriefWire
In multicultural Toronto, World Cup loyalties stretch beyond Canada
Published 7 June 2026 · sports
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is coming to North America, and Canada — as a host nation — is fielding its own team for the
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is coming to North America, and Canada — as a host nation — is fielding its own team for the first time in decades.
Yet in Toronto, one of the world's most multicultural cities, where more than half of residents were born outside Canada, loyalties are rarely straightforward. From Croatian cultural centres to Italian neighbourhood cafés, many fans will be cheering for the countries their families came from — without abandoning Canada.
Al Jazeera's Ian Wood reports from Toronto, Canada. Find us on Check our website Check out our Instagram page Download AJE Mobile App
Published: June 7, 2026 • 5:30 PM IST · Updated: June 7, 2026 • 8:10 PM ISTBy TheBriefWire Editorial Team
Key points· Video
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is coming to North America, and Canada — as a host nation — is fielding its own team for the first time in decades.
Yet in Toronto, one of the world's most multicultural cities, where more than half of residents were born outside Canada, loyalties are rarely straightforward.
From Croatian cultural centres to Italian neighbourhood cafés, many fans will be cheering for the countries their families came from — without abandoning Canada.
Al Jazeera's Ian Wood reports from Toronto, Canada.
Find us on Check our website Check out our Instagram page Download AJE Mobile App
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