As Canada prepares to co-host the 2026 World Cup, soccer is enjoying a surge in popularity that few could have predicted a generation ago. Once considered secondary to hockey, basketball, and baseball, the sport is now capturing the attention of fans across every region of the country. A new report from Betano offers a fascinating snapshot of this shift, revealing a fan base that is larger, more engaged, and more knowledgeable than ever before.
A Sport on the Rise
Soccer’s growth in Canada has been remarkable. Driven by rising national team success, global star power, and increasing grassroots participation, the sport is attracting support from coast to coast. What was once a niche interest is fast becoming a mainstream passion.
This momentum reflects a genuine cultural shift. Canadians are not only watching more soccer but engaging with it more deeply, following everything from player performances and transfer values to injury management and tournament preparation.
From Secondary Sport to National Passion
For years, soccer sat in the shadow of Canada’s traditional sporting favourites. That is changing quickly. The combination of a competitive national team, international stars, and a growing base of young players has pushed the sport firmly into the spotlight.
The upcoming World Cup, co-hosted on home soil, has accelerated this transformation. It has given Canadians a reason to rally around the sport and a stage on which to showcase their growing enthusiasm.
What the Report Found
Betano’s soccer culture report paints a clear picture of a nation embracing the game. Using a social listening tool called AskPolly.ai, Betano analysed thousands of anonymized online conversations to understand how Canadians talk about and engage with soccer.
The findings reveal not just who Canadians support, but how they think about the sport. From favourite players to views on injuries and tournament preparation, the data captures a fan base engaging with soccer on a deeper level than ever.
Jonathan David Leads the Way
According to the report, Jonathan David is Canada’s most popular soccer player, earning support from 27.7 per cent of Canadians. His rise reflects the growing prominence of homegrown talent in the national conversation.
Alphonso Davies is also singled out as one of the country’s most important and irreplaceable players as Canada prepares for the World Cup. Together, these stars embody the new generation driving Canadian soccer forward.
Messi and the Global Stars
Canadian fans are not only following homegrown heroes. Lionel Messi emerged as the most popular international player among Canadians, resonating with 35.5 per cent of fans. His enduring appeal underlines the global nature of modern soccer fandom.
This blend of local and international support shows how connected Canadian fans are to the wider soccer world. They celebrate their own stars while embracing the icons of the global game.
Victoria: Canada’s Soccer Capital
Perhaps the most surprising finding is the strength of soccer in Victoria, British Columbia. The city ranks as Canada’s strongest soccer market, posting a net favourability score of 69.9 per cent.
Victoria’s position highlights how soccer enthusiasm is flourishing well beyond Canada’s largest cities. Vancouver and Toronto also rank among the most active soccer hubs, but Victoria’s lead points to the strength of grassroots participation and community engagement.
The Injury Factor
The report also reveals how closely Canadians follow the finer details of the game. Nearly four in five, or 78.5 per cent, believe injuries have a significant impact on tournament performance.
Player fatigue emerged as the top injury-related concern among Canadian fans ahead of the World Cup. When it comes to managing injuries and squad rotation, Germany and Spain are viewed as the nations best equipped to cope during major tournaments.
A More Knowledgeable Fan Base
Beyond player popularity, the data shows Canadians engaging with the tactical and strategic aspects of soccer. Growing interest in squad depth, player development, transfer values, and injury management points to a maturing fan culture.
Fans are evaluating players not just on popularity and performance, but on leadership, consistency, fitness, and their ability to influence results. This depth of engagement marks a genuine evolution in how Canadians follow the sport.
How the Study Was Done
The research was conducted using AskPolly.ai, an AI-powered social listening and sentiment analysis platform. The study analysed thousands of anonymized online conversations from Canadians discussing soccer.
By examining how Canadians talk about and engage with the sport across digital platforms, the analysis offers insight into the trends, attitudes, and discussions shaping soccer in Canada today.
Playing Responsibly
Betano offers this report as a licensed operator. In Ontario, Betano operates under a licence issued by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. To be eligible to play, players must be over 19 years of age and physically present in Ontario.
Players are always encouraged to play responsibly. Betting should be treated as a form of entertainment, never as a way to make money, and staying within your limits is essential.
A Nation Ready to Celebrate
With the World Cup approaching, anticipation across Canada is building. The tournament offers a rare chance for the country to celebrate soccer on the biggest stage of all, and fans are ready to embrace the moment.
That sense of occasion is helping to unite supporters old and new. For many Canadians, this World Cup represents the start of a deeper, lasting relationship with the sport.
Betano’s report captures a defining moment for Canadian soccer. With rising stars, passionate regional support, and an increasingly knowledgeable fan base, the sport is enjoying unprecedented momentum ahead of the World Cup.
As Canada prepares to co-host the tournament, the findings suggest the country is on the cusp of turning growing enthusiasm into a lasting legacy for soccer, both on and off the pitch.