‘It’s a true honour’: Team Canada’s B.C. born players prepare for hometown World Cup match against Qatar

With the game against Qatar at BC Place just days away, Team Canada held its first full World Cup practice in Vancouver today.

When Team Canada takes to the pitch at BC Place to face Qatar on Thursday, it will be the realization of a childhood dream for midfielder Niko Sigur.

Born and raised in Burnaby, 22-year-old Sigur was a BC Place ballboy 7 years ago.

“It’s a stadium I grew up going to, watching the Whitecaps, being a ballboy for the national team back in 2019. So I just want to enjoy it and give everything and repay the fans for all the support they’ve given us,” said Sigur at the team’s first Vancouver practise at the National Soccer Development Centre at UBC on Monday.

Defender Joel Waterman grew up in Aldergrove.

“I’m only an hour from my hometown. And this is obviously the province where I’m from, and I have immense pride in representing those people that are from here and in those communities and representing my clubs I used to play for. So it’s a true honour,” said Waterman.

While he was born in Toronto, former Whitecaps player Ali Ahmed considers Vancouver his home. “I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t for this building, if it wasn’t for Whitecaps, if it wasn’t for the city,” Ahmed said.

But he added it’s important to block out all the noise.

“I don’t want to get too caught up in the moment. Of course, it’s special, but just try to treat it like another game.”

“There’s so much excitement from all the fans, all our family, all our friends, obviously the media. But I think Jesse (Marsch) and his staff have done a good job on us as teammates. We’ve talked amongst each other to stay focused, that,m we’re here to do work. We’re here to play,” said Sigur.

The entire Team Canada roster was in full training on Monday except Alphonso Davies, who is still in “return to play”, meaning he wasn’t practicing with the same intensity as his teammates, and it’s not known if he will be available for Thursday’s game against Qatar.

“Fonsi, he is one of the best players on our team. He’s a world-class player. So obviously to have him in the lineup would be amazing,” said Waterman.

All three players say the vibe around the World Cup in Vancouver is electric.

“The city feels alive. The world just feels like it’s stopped, and everyone’s just watching football,” said Ahmed.

“We love seeing our fans and the streets filled and Canadian red jerseys everywhere. That’s what we want out of this country, and that’s what we’re kind of building,” said Waterman.

“I hope we can put some good performances in for the fans, because they were amazing against Bosnia,” added Sigur. “If we win, we put ourselves in a good, good position. We have to take it game by game. Let’s get these three points, and then we’ll go from there.”