The forgotten co-host

Mexico hosted the World Cup opener. The USA stages the final. In between, Canada has been something like the forgotten co-host.

But after Sunday’s dramatic 1-0 win over South Africa in Los Angeles, nobody is overlooking Canada anymore. Stephen Eustaquio’s stoppage-time winner sent Canada into the last 16 of a World Cup for the first time in history.

A team on a mission

Canada’s World Cup record before this tournament was brutal: played six, lost six. But Jesse Marsch’s side has rewritten history in just three group matches.

Their tournament so far:

  • Matchday 1 — Drew with Bosnia-Herzegovina (first-ever World Cup point)
  • Matchday 2 — Thrashed Qatar 6-0 (first-ever World Cup win)
  • Matchday 3 — Lost to Switzerland but still qualified
  • Last 32 — Beat South Africa 1-0 with a 96th-minute winner

That is four historic firsts in two weeks.

Canadian heroes

After the final whistle against South Africa, Marsch gathered his players in a huddle on the pitch.

“Canadian heroes,” he told them. “The future of the sport in this country is huge because of you.”

The coach added: “It is a shame we couldn’t do it in Vancouver, in front of our fans, but nevertheless I think you saw the character of the team, the quality of the team, the mentality of the team and the togetherness of the team.”

A football nation is born

The cultural shift in Canada is real. Captain Alphonso Davies, who plays for Bayern Munich and is used to massive crowds in the Champions League, said he cried seeing so many fans in red and white at Canada’s opening game in Toronto.

“It was surreal because I’ve never seen so many Canadians at a football match before,” Davies said. “It brought tears to my eyes.”

Fans have noticed the change too. “It is starting to become known as football now, not soccer,” one supporter told BBC Sport. “Canada is becoming a football nation.”

Making history as hosts

Canada became the first World Cup host nation to play a match outside their own country when they faced South Africa in Los Angeles. Switzerland’s win over them denied them a last-32 game on home soil.

But their fans travelled in huge numbers anyway. Despite playing thousands of miles from home, it felt like Canada were the home team at the Los Angeles Stadium.

“I remember going to Canada games in the 1990s with my father and the Canadian fans were in the minority in their home matches,” said fan Harry. “It is incredible to see how many fans have come down into the USA to watch us.”

What’s next?

Canada face either the Netherlands or Morocco in the last 16. Both are tough opponents — Morocco are ranked sixth in the world, the Netherlands seventh.

But Marsch is embracing the challenge. “I feel like it is a free hit and we will go after it and do whatever we can to get a win,” he said.

“I remember going to Canada games in the 1990s with my father and the Canadian fans were in the minority in their home matches,” one fan recalled. “It is incredible to see how many fans have come down.”

Whether Canada’s run continues or not, the impact is already clear. Football has arrived in Canada — and it might be here to stay.