PHOTOS: Hundreds gather in Victoria as Canada earns historic World Cup point

PHOTOS: Hundreds gather in Victoria as Canada earns historic World Cup point

Published 4:40 pm Friday, June 12, 2026

A Canadian supporter proudly waves a large Maple Leaf flag as noise echoes through Market Square during half-time. (Tony Trozzo/Victoria News)

Fans in downtown Victoria react with deafening cheers following Cyle Larin’s clinical half-volley that leveled the match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Tony Trozzo/Victoria News)

Hundreds of soccer fans packed into Victoria’s Market Square on Friday afternoon to watch Canada open its 2026 World Cup campaign. (Tony Trozzo/Victoria News)

Natalija Cavar and Wendy Zelenika, visiting from Australia, were among the few spectators sporting Bosnia and Herzegovina amidst the sea of red Canadian kits at Market Square. (Tony Trozzo/Victoria News)

Jerry Hoult helped lead the crowd in several chants of support for the Canadian men’s national team during Friday’s watch party at Market Square. (Tony Trozzo/Victoria News)

For a few deafening seconds, Market Square disappeared beneath a wall of noise.

Hundreds of fans erupted when Cyle Larin’s late equalizer hit the back of the net on Friday (June 12) afternoon, turning downtown Victoria into a celebration as Canada earned its first men’s World Cup point in history.

The watch party was centred around a 20-by-12-foot screen, marking the opening event of the Downtown Victoria Business Association’s (DVBA) Summer of Soccer series, which will feature 22 screenings at Market Square through to July 19.

And if Friday was any indication, it will be the destination for World Cup action in Victoria this summer.

‘Canada’ chants erupt at ‘Summer of Soccer’ at Market Square, as Canada takes on Bosnia and Herzegovina in their World Cup opener. #yyj #VictoriaBC #worldcup pic.twitter.com/17D75bHCNV

— Victoria News (@VictoriaNews) June 12, 2026

From the get-go, a growing belief captivated the home crowd, with red Canada jerseys blanketing the plaza, sprinkled with a handful of Bosnia and Herzegovina blue.

But the visitors struck first. Jovo Lukić headed home a 21st-minute goal, silencing the square and tightening the atmosphere around the viewing party.

Canada would head to the break down by one.

“I wasn’t born yet in 1986, but remember the feelings of 2022, and this feels similar,” said Kade Warren.

“Regardless, this is great,” he added. “I am here on a Friday afternoon, with my buddies, in the summer sun, rooting on our country on the biggest stage.”

Canada dominated from there, holding 60 per cent possession and earning what felt like a never-ending supply of corner kicks.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 78th minute when Larin met the ball on the half-volley and finished clinically to level the match.

“That was deafening,” said Kiana Little, who is visiting Victoria from Toronto. “My friends and I just looked at each other and screamed, it felt like we all scored.”

“This whole event felt like we were all really connected with each other,” she added. “I didn’t know anyone else here, but we all wanted the same thing. It was pretty cool.”

As the final minutes slipped off the clock, history was made as Canada earned its first ever men’s World Cup point. The 1-1 draw keeps Canada in a strong position to advance through Group B ahead of its next match against Qatar (June 18).

Amongst the Canadian supporters were Wendy Zelenika and Natalija Cavar, Australian’s travelling across North America for the tournament who found themselves backing Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“This is beautiful to be honest, Canada is so into it, and we just love it,” said Cavar.

At halftime, Zelenika joked they would not mind seeing Canada score.

“We’re all about energy, so we wouldn’t be upset.”

That playful wish came true in the second half.

Attending her fifth World Cup, Cavar said the Victoria gathering captured the tournament’s spirit.

“[It’s not] just the atmosphere, [it’s] Canadian friends that we’re sending it to and they’re a bit jealous,” she said. “This is what the World Cup is about.”

From here, the pair will soon depart to watch Australia and Croatia play in person.

The atmosphere at Market Square was exactly what organizers envisioned when Summer of Soccer was launched.

“We want people to say, you know what, the energy, the vibe is great downtown,” DVBA CEO Jeff Bray said when the program was announced at the end of May.

On Friday afternoon, with history on screen and nearly 1,000 fans in Market Square, that vision came to life.

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