EDMONTON - Heavy rain may be in the forecast for Edmonton, but that is not expected to dampen enthusiasm as Canada’s men’s national soccer team takes the field Monday night against Uzbekistan in one of its final tuneup matches before the FIFA World Cup.
For Larry Zima, attending is an easy decision.
The Edmonton resident has followed Canadian soccer for four decades and is a member of the Voyageurs, the national team’s supporters’ group. Inside his garage, Canada jerseys, scarves and flags fill the walls. Dressed in red and white with a Canadian flag painted on his face, Zima is already prepared for kickoff.
“It’s a tight community because soccer in Canada is a tight community,” he said.
“The camaraderie with Canadian fans that I’ve met throughout the world and other fans of other countries, it’s just a fun group and we look forward to getting together.”
Zima has travelled extensively to support Canada on the international stage, including the men’s World Cup in Qatar in 2022 and the Women’s World Cup in Australia in 2023.
His collection of memorabilia reflects those travels.
“The jacket is countries I’ve seen Canada play live,” he said, pointing to patches stitched onto his coat.
“World Cups on this side. And the back is just all the countries that I’ve actually been part of seeing Canada play. Not going to the countries. That’s on a different coat.”
Despite rainy conditions forecast for the Edmonton area, Zima expects a strong turnout.
“I think there’s a lot of excitement, even though the weather may be damping,” he said.
“I think people will be there because they know this is a big event for Canada as a country and the team’s sending them off on the proper steps.”
The last time the Canadian team appeared at Commonwealth Stadium was a memorable World Cup qualifier against Mexico in November 2021. Canada won that match 2-1 in snowy conditions, earning the stadium the nickname, “Iceteca,” a play on the name of the Mexican team’s home stadium, Estadio Azteca.
Monday’s friendly game also comes as Canada prepares to co-host the FIFA World Cup for the first time, with the tournament set to begin in less than two weeks.
National team coach Jesse Marsch recently described his current roster as the strongest group of players Canada has ever assembled, although injuries remain a concern heading into the tournament.
Among the biggest injury concerns heading into the tournament is team captain Alphonso Davies, who is recovering from a hamstring injury.
For Zima, the Edmonton-born star represents how far Canadian soccer has come.
“He’s a proud Canadian boy from the northeast end,” Zima said.
“When he comes back, he goes to the community, does a lot of things. He’s still got his childhood friends there. He’s a good kid.”
Explore Edmonton has called Monday’s match a significant event for the city, estimating more than $20 million in economic impact from a single game as fans travel from across Alberta, Canada and the United States.
More than 46,000 tickets have been sold for the match at Commonwealth Stadium.
Canada will play one final friendly against Ireland on June 5, in Montreal before opening its World Cup campaign on June 12, in Toronto.
With files from CTV News’ Jeremy Thompson and Craig Ellingson
