'A giant first step': Edmonton soccer super fan already excited for 2026 World Cup
An Edmonton fan who travelled more than 11,000 kilometres to watch Canada play in person remains in high spirits, despite the elimination of the national men's soccer team from the World Cup.
Larry Zima watched Canada's three group-stage matches in Qatar. He was electrified to watch the first two goals in Canadian soccer history at the World Cup, first Alphonso Davies then Sam Adekugbe's sharp cross in Thursday's match with Morocco.
"Both our goals scored at the World Cup were scored by Albertans," Zima said. "They both played in the Alberta Soccer Association."
Zima says the trip to Qatar was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
"I had never hugged so many strangers," he said with a laugh. "Fans from everywhere are so friendly, so open, so happy that Canada is here."
Larry Zima enjoys World Cup action in Qatar (Supplied).
While there was some disappointment in ending Canada's World Cup run with no wins, Zima said the groundwork had been laid for a strong comeback next time.
"The result wasn't what we wanted," he told CTV News Edmonton. "But the boys competed hard."
"We showed we could compete," he added. "It will only help improve us."
- Team Canada reflects on early exit from World Cup
- John Herdman wants to remain as Canada coach through 2026
He's excited to see what another four years of training and competing for the men's squad will do for them when the next World Cup rolls around in 2026.
"Four years from now, we aren't going to be so devastated," Zima predicted. "We're into an exciting cycle for the program."
"(This World Cup) it's a giant step," he added. "It's exciting to know we are on that cusp, that we are that close to moving to the next level."
Fans taking in the action in Edmonton at The Pint agreed.
"It's been so inspirational to see the Canadian men's team come out and play such a strong game," said Silvia Sorensen.
"There's kids out there that are watching this and they want to be the next star to play for Canada," added Jason Sudyk. "I think it's going to be huge."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Indian envoy warns of 'big red line,' days after charges laid in Nijjar case
India's envoy to Canada insists relations between the two countries are positive overall, despite what he describes as 'a lot of noise.'
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
U.S. paused bomb shipment to Israel to signal concerns over Rafah invasion, official says
The U.S. paused a shipment of bombs to Israel last week over concerns that Israel was approaching a decision on launching a full-scale assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah against the wishes of the U.S.
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Northern Ont. woman makes 'eggstraordinary' find
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
Susan Buckner, who played spirited cheerleader Patty Simcox in 'Grease,' dead at 72
Susan Buckner, best known for playing peppy Rydell High School cheerleader Patty Simcox in the 1978 classic movie musical 'Grease,' has died. She was 72.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
Alcohol believed to be a factor in boating incident after 2 men die: N.S. RCMP
Two Nova Scotia men are dead after a boat they were travelling in sank in the Annapolis River in Granville Centre, N.S., on Monday.