Victoria watch party ends in heartbreak as Canada falls to Morocco

Victoria watch party ends in heartbreak as Canada falls to Morocco

Published 2:10 pm Saturday, July 4, 2026

Fans react after Canada falls to Morocco during a packed World Cup watch party. (Nikhil Nikhil/Victoria News)

Canada supporters cheer at Market Square despite a 3-0 World Cup loss to Morocco. (Nikhil Nikhil/Victoria News)

Hundreds gather at Market Square to watch Canada’s World Cup run end against Morocco. (Nikhil Nikhil/Victoria News)

Supporters fill Market Square for Canada’s final FIFA World Cup match on Saturday. (Nikhil Nikhil/Victoria News)

Fans wearing white red fill Market Square for Canada’s knockout-stage match against Morocco. (Nikhil Nikhil/Victoria News)

Victoria soccer fans gather downtown to support Canada during its World Cup exit. (Nikhil Nikhil/Victoria News)

Hundreds of fans packed Victoria’s Market Square on Saturday morning, hoping to watch Canada’s historic FIFA World Cup run continue.

Instead, supporters watched Canada’s tournament come to an end as Morocco earned a 3-0 victory in the Round of 16, eliminating the Canadians from the competition.

Red-and-white jerseys filled the downtown plaza as fans gathered around the giant outdoor screen for another Downtown Victoria Business Association Summer of Soccer watch party. Throughout the match, cheers erupted for every Canadian chance before the mood shifted as Morocco took control.

“It was sad,” said local resident Keysa Mundl. “But we tried, so trying is the most important thing.”

Despite the result, Mundl said the atmosphere throughout Canada’s World Cup campaign has been unforgettable.

“I love when people are able to come out and cheer as a community,” she said. “That’s been the best part of Canada being in it, I think, is the community support and bringing people together.”

With Canada’s tournament now over, Mundl said she plans to support Mexico for the remainder of the competition because of friends with ties to the country.

For Gavin Baerg, who travelled from B.C.‘s South Okanagan, Saturday marked his first visit to one of Victoria’s World Cup watch parties.

“I’m pretty bummed and sad that they lost,” Baerg said. “But I really think we did play pretty hard. I was really happy to see everyone out here.”

Like Mundl, Baerg said he’ll now cheer for Mexico for the rest of the tournament.

Not everyone in the crowd was wearing red.

Mexico supporter Christian Asakura offered words of encouragement to disappointed Canadian fans after the final whistle.

“Don’t give up,” he said. “This is just the beginning. You guys have been growing in football. You already won a Gold Cup and have some of the best players in the continent. Keep looking forward to 2030.”

Although Canada’s World Cup journey ended earlier than supporters had hoped, many fans remained in Market Square after the match, applauding the national team’s performance and reflecting on a tournament that united communities across Victoria.

Throughout the World Cup, thousands gathered downtown for public watch parties, celebrating Canada’s first goal, first victory and first appearance in the knockout stage before Saturday’s elimination. Saturday’s crowd once again showed the growing enthusiasm for soccer in the capital region, even in defeat.