Rob Notenboom, president of the Voyageurs, has witnessed an unprecedented embrace of Canadian soccer during the World Cup. He notes, "Interest has never been higher. We can kind of barely keep up with it."
Thousands have joined Voyageurs-led marches in Toronto and Vancouver, showing solidarity for the team, especially for injured midfielder Ismaël Koné, with 3,000 prints of his number 8 to honor him.
Notenboom emphasized the group's commitment to support the players and foster camaraderie: "We want to ensure they understand that we recognize their sacrifice."
The energy from the fans has been incredible, with an overflowing crowd at a recent march, embodying the community's spirit.
The Voyageurs, founded in 1996 to support Canada’s soccer ambitions, reports approximately 3,000 members today. Their membership, which costs $30 annually, surged after the men’s national team's qualification for the 2022 World Cup and as interest builds for the 2026 tournament.
They aim to sustain this momentum beyond the tournament, fostering a welcoming community for all soccer enthusiasts.
