The draw for the upcoming summer World Cup has sparked excitement in Toronto, particularly within the city's vibrant Little Italy neighborhood, as Canada could potentially face Italy in its opener on June 12. The Canadian men’s soccer team was drawn against Switzerland, the fifth-ranked team from Pot 2, and Qatar, ranked 10th in Pot 3. A yet-to-be-determined opponent from Pot 4 could be Italy, which has not yet secured qualification for the tournament.
Rocco Mastrangelo, co-owner of the renowned Café Diplomatico known for its pizzas and soccer watch parties, expressed his anticipation, saying, "I literally have butterflies in my stomach." He speculated that many Italians in Toronto would be lighting candles in prayer for Italy's qualification following the recent draw.
Italy, currently ranked 12th, is participating in a European playoff in March alongside Wales, Northern Ireland, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The winner of this playoff will face Canada on June 12 at BMO Field in Toronto, heightening the stakes for fans in the region.
Mastrangelo described a potential Canada-Italy matchup as “electric,” foreseeing an energized atmosphere in the city as well as within the large Italian Canadian community in the Greater Toronto Area. He noted that preparations for viewing parties and barbecues would commence immediately, with many eager to secure tickets for the game at BMO Field, especially since it coincides with the popular Taste of Little Italy street festival.
Jordan Nunes, an employee at Danny’s Pizza Tavern nearby, expressed his excitement, stating, "I’m very, very excited about the prospect of Italy playing against Canada." He emphasized that the city would likely be bustling with activity, with every bar packed and potential pop-up patios featuring large screens for viewing the match.
While Mastrangelo felt conflicted about whom to cheer for in such a matchup, Nunes unapologetically declared his support for the home country, Canada. Nader Ibrahim, a resident of Toronto who previously lived in Little Italy, shared that the excitement of the tournament would be felt across the city, regardless of the matchups. "A World Cup brings all the nationalities together," he noted, highlighting Toronto's diverse community.
As a co-host for the expanded 48-team World Cup alongside the United States and Mexico, Canada will host a total of 13 matches in the tournament. The distribution includes seven games in Vancouver and six in Toronto. The complete tournament schedule was released following the draw, further building the excitement surrounding the event.
