Many of Canada’s players come from Brampton, Ont., where Adrian Ghobrial is enjoying the atmosphere at a World Cup watch party.
BRAMPTON, Ont. – Is Brampton Canada’s unofficial soccer hub? You bet it is.
Just northwest of Toronto, this suburban city with around 800,000 residents is where a group known as the Brampton Six began their journey. These Canadian soccer players are now motivating a new generation.
Midfielders Jonathan Osorio, Tajon Buchanan, Liam Millar and Jayden Nelson from Canada’s men’s national team, along with forwards Cyle Larin and Promise David, all hail from Brampton.
That accounts for nearly a quarter of Canada’s men’s national team, making Brampton the leading talent producer ahead of bigger cities like Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.
“We just tell everybody to drink the water. The water is great in Brampton,” joked Paula Phillips, executive director of the Brampton Soccer Club. She reminisces about watching all six players start playing at a young age.
“They kicked off in our grassroots program and played in house league. They just wanted to kick the ball around,” said Phillips.
Canada soccer Brampton The Brampton World viewing party on June 24, 2026. ( )
From there, she explains that positive influences from coaches, clubs and parents-along with extended family members and neighbors-helped guide these players forward; it’s truly a community effort.
“You know what they say: ‘it takes a village.’ Well, we’re part of that village,” said Phillips.
In Garden Square downtown on Wednesday night, hundreds of fans watched proudly as David scored during a tough match against Switzerland.
Among those fans was retired gym teacher Ed Mc Mahon who remembers how several coaches pushed soccer among kids growing up in an area dominated by hockey and basketball.
“Thanks to this push by dedicated coaches and clubs, many kids started playing soccer,” Mc Mahon explained. “We shifted them away from high school football programs and other activities because they were doing so well. They won quite a few Ontario championships, so I’m not surprised to be here today seeing their success on such a big stage.”
Canada soccer Brampton The Brampton World viewing party on June 24, 2026. ( )
In the crowd at the viewing party near Main Street were kids who were amazed not only by the live game but also by the fact that these World Cup players grew up nearby-they went to school together and played on local fields.
“Seeing them inspires me to go play too,” said 12-year-old Ashwin Kajanthan. “When I see people from my community succeed it makes me think I can do it too.”
The real win for Canada this World Cup might be happening right now as children across communities realize their own potential while cheering for their country making history.
“I love shooting and dribbling and scoring,” shared six-year-old Chance Taylor who came straight from school wearing his red-and-white Team Canada jersey.
Looking into the crowd in Brampton shows that even the youngest fans are watching neighborhood players compete on an international level.
They now have their eyes set on goals-both literal and metaphorical-as they dream about future possibilities yet to unfold.
Source link
Canada soccer Brampton The Brampton World viewing party on June 24, 2026. ( )
In the crowd at the viewing party near Main Street were kids who were amazed not only by the live game but also by the fact that these World Cup players grew up nearby-they went to school together and played on local fields.
“Seeing them inspires me to go play too,” said 12-year-old Ashwin Kajanthan. “When I see people from my community succeed it makes me think I can do it too.”
The real win for Canada this World Cup might be happening right now as children across communities realize their own potential while cheering for their country making history.
“I love shooting and dribbling and scoring,” shared six-year-old Chance Taylor who came straight from school wearing his red-and-white Team Canada jersey.
Looking into the crowd in Brampton shows that even the youngest fans are watching neighborhood players compete on an international level.
They now have their eyes set on goals-both literal and metaphorical-as they dream about future possibilities yet to unfold.
Related Stories
Source link
