Prime Minister Mark Carney was spotted at BC Place on Thursday night as Canada took on Qatar in a crucial World Cup clash in Vancouver, joining thousands of fans for one of the team’s biggest home moments of the tournament.
When the match kicked off, social media chatter was already leaning into talk of a “Carney curse,” with fans half-joking about whether the prime minister’s presence might influence the match outcome
But as the game unfolded and Canada surged to a commanding 6-0 victory, the tone online shifted quickly, with some supporters suggesting Mark Carney may not be bad luck after all, but instead a surprising lucky charm.
Carney was seen watching the match from a suite alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino, as Canada looked to take a key step toward the knockout stage.
READ MORE: Canada jumps ahead 3-0 with goals from Larin, David vs. Qatar — Live updates from Vancouver
The prime minister could also be seen placing his hand over his heart during the closing refrain of the national anthem, as the stadium erupted in a wave of red and white and fans around him rose to their feet.
Carney’s appearance at the match marked a notable moment in the 2026 World Cup, as he becomes the first leader of a host nation to attend a tournament match. He also congratulated the players in a locker room visit after the momentous victory.
Team Canada’s historic performance against Qatar will be remembered for a number of milestone moments, capping a night that felt like a turning point for the program on home soil.
The game was the most successful ever played by the Canadian men’s team at a World Cup, and with a 6-0 victory it also set a new benchmark as the largest winning margin by a CONCACAF side in tournament history, placing Canada firmly at the top of Group B.
‘Canada is COOKING!!! This team is UNSTOPPABLE’: Fans flood social media
Social media lit up within seconds of the final whistle, as fans reacted in real time to Team Canada’s monumental World Cup victory.
We headed straight for the comment sections to share how Canadians are taking in this history-making moment here on home turf.
Prime Minister Mark Carney could be seen basking in Team Canada’s victory, with both fists raised high in the air and a ginormous smile covering his face.
Canadians from coast-to-coast are taking a moment to celebrate Team Canada’s monumental win.
Even thousands of kilometres away, Torontonians were seen belting out Canada’s national anthem as Canada declared soccer victory over Qatar.
Canadian pride was on full display in the comment sections.
After years of frustration on the world stage and a difficult winless campaign in 2022, supporters were quick to frame the result as more than just a victory, but a statement of how far the program has come.
Canada coach Jesse Marsch gets a standing ovation as Canada dominated Qatar with a record-breaking 6-0 score.
Some are calling Team Canada’s victory the “most dominant performances of the World Cup so far.”
Crowds of Canadian fans could be seen making their way through Vancouver streets, chanting, cheering, and embracing the celebratory spirit.
Some are going so far to call this a “Once in a lifetime kind of day.”
Support was also evident for Ismaël Koné after the Canadian midfielder suffered a horrific injury in the second half.
The prime minister even went so far as to deliver an impromptu speech to the Team Canada victors in their locker room.
As the crowds begin to fade, memories of this night and Team Canada’s victory are sure to linger in the minds of Canadians for years to come.