Canadian soccer fans rejoice as men's team clinches World Cup berth

TORONTO — Canadian soccer fans rejoiced upon seeing Canada's men's soccer team clinch a berth in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after a 4-0 win over Jamaica on Sunday at BMO Field.

This is just the second time Canada's men's soccer team has reached the World Cup in its history and the first time since 1986.

The World Cup is considered to be the most prestigious international soccer event in the world, taking place ever four years.

The 2022 World Cup will take place from Nov. 21 to Dec. 18.

"In a way I've been waiting 36 years (for this moment), but it's been mostly the last 15-20 years when I've been watching it closely," said Rob Nootenboom, who travelled from Regina to witness Canada's clinching moment. "It feels like half my life, and I guess it is half my life, almost."

The scene at BMO Field was a festive one with fans coming into Sunday's game ready to celebrate knowing that Canada only needed to draw or outright beat Jamaica in order to see their team reach the World Cup.

Cyle Larin of Brampton, Ont., scored Canada's first goal in the 13th minute of the 90-minute match and from there the party was on with the BMO crowd erupting into cheers and celebration.

Or rather, it just continued on.

Festivities began well before the game's 4:00 p.m. ET opening kickoff, with fans beginning to arrive at the BMO Field parking lot at noon for tailgating, and to play a few rounds of cornhole while high-energy hip-hop music blasted out of the back of a trunk.

"This is probably going to be one of the biggest sporting moments in the history of our country," said Bruce Rayakovich of Brampton, who jumped onto the bandwagon last June during Canada's World Cup qualifying campaign. "To be here for an event like that is just an unbelievable