‘don’t Wait Four More Years’: World Cup Co-hosts Canada Offer Italy Fans Free Shirt Swap

Italian shot fans are being encouraged to put their nationalist team’s World Cup 2026 qualification nonaccomplishment down them – by backing co-hosts Canada instead.

Canada Soccer, nan nationalist governing assemblage for nan sport, is offering a jersey switch connected Saturday for fans successful Toronto’s Little Italy district. “Dear Italian shot fans, Don’t hold 4 much years. Swap your jersey for Canada,” publication a station connected X.

Italy would person faced Canada successful Group B had they won their qualifying playoff against Bosnia and Herzegovina – but nan Azzurri mislaid connected penalties, missing retired connected nan men’s World Cup finals for nan 3rd tourney successful succession.

Instead, Jesse Marsch’s squad will look Bosnia and Herzegovina on pinch Qatar and Switzerland successful their group games – and are hoping Canada’s ample Italian diaspora will switch bluish shirts for reddish this summer.

“Canada Soccer is inviting Italian-Canadians to get down nan location team,” publication a further statement. “On Saturday 4 April from 10am to 2pm (EST), Canada Soccer will beryllium extracurricular Cafe Diplomatico connected College Street successful Toronto, offering fans nan chance to switch their Italy colours for a Canada jersey and subordinate nan momentum heading into nan Fifa World Cup 2026.”

“Cost: Free. Bring your Italian jersey, time off pinch a Canadian one,” nan connection added. “Available while supplies last, fans are encouraged to get early to beryllium kitted out.” The connection besides included a connection successful Italian: “Questa volta è il Canada”, which translates to “This time, it’s Canada.”

According to a 2021 census, location are astir 1.5 cardinal Canadians pinch either afloat aliases partial Italian ancestry. Almost a 3rd of them unrecorded successful Toronto and its surrounding areas, and nan city’s BMO Field stadium will big Canada’s World Cup opener against Bosnia and Herzegovina connected 12 June.

Ticket prices for that crippled person soared this week, pinch each unsold tickets listed astatine $3,125 and astir resale seats costing a akin price. Saturday’s free jersey switch whitethorn beryllium nan astir affordable measurement that section Italian fans tin get progressive pinch nan World Cup this summer.