Edmonton school hosts World Cup watch party to cheer on hometown hero Alphonso Davies

At St. Nicholas Catholic Junior High in Edmonton, where Davies attended and played in the school's soccer academy, students filled a gym.

It was a moment some Canadian soccer fans said they’d been waiting for their whole lives: seeing their country in the World Cup.

At watching parties across the country Wednesday, fans gathered to cheer on the national team as it made its first appearance since 1986 in the international soccer tournament.

Morgan Stacey, who was not born the last time Canada was in the World Cup, said it feels “pretty incredible” to cheer on Team Canada.

“It’s the first time in my life that I have ever gotten to see them compete in this tournament,” he said. “I’m pretty excited!”

Stacey, 28, was among at least 150 people watching Canada take on Belgium at the Burgundy Lion Pub in Montreal.

“We have been waiting for this day for so long,” said Tristan Scandar, 23, who travelled to cheer on the Canadian team in person at a qualifying match against Honduras. “A lot of Canadians have been waiting for a long time. So, let’s hope we do well today.”

As Canada prepared to take a penalty shot early in the game, fans were on the edge of their seats, screaming and shouting as star winger Alphonso Davies lined up for the shot. The excitement turned to dismay when the Belgian goaltender stopped the attempt.

For some fans, including members of Montreal’s large Belgian community, there were divided loyalties. Noel Fourcroy, 42, a Belgian who has lived in Montreal for 15 years, said he was rooting for his home country.