Rock around the flags.
On Friday evening, Canadians with Bosnian roots will be watching the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The rest of Canada, of course, does exactly the same thing. Canada versus Bosnia won’t be an either-or. Canada, the country of immigration par excellence, will be cheering for both sides. When Switzerland plays Qatar tomorrow afternoon, I too will carry full sympathy for both teams in my pocket.
Because it’s a game. And I like to play.
On Friday evening, Amir Hadžić will be sitting in his living room in Mississauga wearing two jerseys, one on top of the other — the red one with the maple leaf and the blue one with the lilies. And two brothers will hang a Bosnian flag next to the Canadian one outside their produce shop in Etobicoke. Asked who should win, both say: a draw would be perfect.
A Swiss fellow in Newmarket will be heading to the local stadium tomorrow afternoon for a public viewing of the Switzerland–Qatar match.
Fans in Canada tick a little differently at sporting events. The joy of the game dominates over the fear of losing. After all, immigrants like me carry a hefty portion of history from two countries in their bags. Whether Bosnia or Switzerland or Canada — the mix adds spice.
For this World Cup of kicking, I keep having to remind myself that the unsavoury circumstances surrounding this tournament shouldn’t be allowed to dominate. But no, not ignored either. There is still something fundamentally good in the idea of teams from across the world meeting on a pitch, fighting over a single ball for ninety minutes or more. Mostly peaceful. Mostly fair. As a spectator, I’m either trembling with suspense or suffering through boredom.
Yes, I’m looking forward to the matches.
Ninety minutes without toxic political aftertaste — that’s worth an awful lot.
I won’t let anyone take that away from me, not the pre-match punditry, not the stadium.
Go, Canada, Go!
Hopp, Schwyyz!
The rest of Canada, of course, does exactly the same thing
.