Team Canada fell behind 2-1 in their final match at the World Cup in Qatar on Thursday, leaving Moroccan supporters delighted and Canadian fans disappointed but still filled with pride that their team won the title for the first time since 1986. Made it to the bar tournament.
At Cafe Sable d’Or in Montreal Little Maghreb neighborhood – home to a large Moroccan population – dedicated soccer The fans clapped, sang and chanted every time Morocco Took possession of the ball.
“I am here to support Morocco; I’m Moroccan,” said Bouzid Esakhi, 60.
“Canada has a great team and great players, but they seem to be missing a coach. As long as Belgium doesn’t win, that’s all that matters,” he said of the other members of Group F: Belgium and Croatia. Said in reference to the last game between
When Morocco scored their first goal four minutes into the game, there was a wave of jubilation in the audience and the enthusiastic fans sang the country’s national anthem.
“I’m Moroccan, and I don’t have my Canadian citizenship yet, so I’m supporting Morocco,” said 27-year-old Mehdi Fadrique. “So far, I’ve been very surprised by Canada’s performance because they have a really good team.”
FIFA World Cup: Canada leaves Qatar without points after 2-1 loss to Morocco
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For some fans, it was difficult to decide between their homeland and their adopted country.
“I am supporting Morocco,” said 26-year-old Chhab Balara. “It is tough to be the last match against Canada. We love this country very much. It is what it is. Sometimes you have to choose.
Meanwhile, in Newfoundland and Labrador, there were screams of agony at the St. John’s Bar when the ball bounced over the goal line after a header by Atiba Hutchinson – nearly giving Canada their second goal.
Earlier in the match, fans on the Duke of Duckworth cheered as Canada scored.
“It’s in!” Nick Whelan, a former Member of Parliament who plays on the local senior men’s team, made it 2–1 when Canada fired the ball past the Moroccan goalkeeper.
Whalen’s team often gathers at the bar for post-game drinks.
Whelan said, “It’s great to see Canada in the World Cup.”
“A lot of these young players are going to host Canada in 2026. And they’ll be even better then.”
More than two dozen people huddled under large television screens in the darkened bar, sipping pints slowly and occasionally nodding their heads.
Sarah Dominic, who has played football since the age of five, was also looking forward to the next World Cup.
“They are a great team,” said Dominic. He played brilliantly against Belgium. I think they’ve had some unfortunate results in this tournament, but I think we can definitely play at this level and show the world how great we are in 2026.”
Canada was playing for pride on Thursday after losing to Croatia on Sunday and missing out on its first World Cup knockout round appearance since 1986. But Morocco – who are making their sixth appearance at the World Cup – are in a strong position to make it to the knockout stage.
Melanie Bradley, general manager of the Brams United Girls Soccer Club in Brampton, Ontario, said she was proud to play in the World Cup for Team Canada, despite the fact that the team would not make it to the knockout stage.
“We are really proud, especially here in Brampton, to have seven players who grew up playing at our arenas across the city, competing at this level and representing the country. It’s a very proud moment for us,” said Bradley before the game. “I think we are really starting to show the world that we are a football nation.”
Some Moroccan-Canadians said they would be happy no matter who won. Abderrahman El-Fouladi, who arrived in Canada 31 years ago, said before the game that he would cheer on both teams surrounded by his Canadian-Moroccan family.
Whatever the outcome, Canada will be represented in some form because Yassin Bounou, the Moroccan goalkeeper, was born in Montreal and is Canadian-Moroccan, he said in an interview.
Canada and Morocco had faced each other three previous times, with Morocco winning twice and the teams drawing once.
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