US EditionSoccer Fans in Toronto Can Swap Their Italian Jersey for a Canadian One
Canada Soccer said 1.5 million Canadians reported Italian ancestry as it tried to turn disappointed Azzurri fans into supporters of the home team.
- On Saturday, April 4, 2026, Canada Soccer staff hosted a jersey swap event at Cafe Diplomatico in Toronto's Little Italy, inviting fans to exchange their Italy kits for new Canadian jerseys.
- Following Italy's elimination from the World Cup after a loss to Bosnia-Herzegovina earlier this week, Canada Soccer launched an initiative to invite Italian-Canadians to support the home team.
- The initiative is part of the 'Our Game Now' branding, with Paulo Senra, chief communications and content officer at Canada Soccer, stating the goal is "honouring a country that allows us to have multiple identities."
- Despite some online criticism, organizers reported a large turnout, with the supply of jerseys exhausted in approximately one hour due to high demand from fans.
- Canada hosts the FIFA World Cup this summer, with the men's national team scheduled to play their first home match against Bosnia-Herzegovina on June 12 at BMO Field.
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Italian residents were able to receive a T-shirt from Canada due to the elimination of their selection in the European repechaje
Fans swap Italy jerseys for Team Canada ones in Toronto’s Little Italy
Soccer fans in Toronto’s Little Italy swapped their Azzurri jerseys for Team Canada gear after Italy’s World Cup exit. The Canada Soccer event outside Cafe Diplomatico Saturday was aimed at encouraging fans to rally behind the home team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, following Italy's loss to Bosnia-Herzegovina in a penalty shootout. CBC Toronto has the reaction from fans making the switch.
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The Straits TimesCanada woos Italy’s crestfallen supporters after World Cup heartbreak
April 4 : Canada Soccer cheekily courted Italy’s crestfallen supporters on Saturday, urging them to swap their Azzurri blue strips for maple leaf red after the four-times champions suffered another World Cup failure."Dear Italian soccer fans, Don't wait four more years. Swap your jersey for Canada," the spo
Hundreds of Italian soccer fans keep their shirts in jersey exchange after 3rd World Cup qualifier loss
Canada Soccer announced Friday it would be hosting a shirt swap -- which entailed trading in an Italian one for a Canadian one. Instead, the frustrated fans were given Canada Soccer kits and posters.
Host country of this World, Canada wants to convince its Italian nationals to support the Canadians this summer, in the absence of the Squadra Azzurra.
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