People in this Newfoundland town are cheering for France in the World Cup – because they’re neighbours

In the small Newfoundland town of Fortune, some people will be cheering for France in the semi-finals of FIFA World Cup 2026 on Tuesday — because part of France is right next door.

The French islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon are just a 90-minute ferry ride away, a few dozen kilometres off the coast of Newfoundland.

“If Canada couldn't take it home, why not have our neighbours take it home?” said Ambrose Price, standing by the Canada-France border crossing in Fortune.

Lise Brown will be watching the game from her job at the ferry ticket office. France faces Spain beginning at 4:30 p.m. NT Tuesday.

“I will definitely have my phone propped up while we're working,” said Brown. “Love to see France go to the finals.”

Despite their geographical closeness, St. Pierre and Miquelon is quite different from rural Newfoundland. They use the Euro, have French electrical outlets, drive French cars, and close stores for two hours over lunch.

“It's actually shocking how different it is when it's so close to here,” said Jennifer Robere, manager of SPM Ferries in Fortune.

But the French islands have a longstanding connection with Newfoundland, linked over the years by marriages, sports, tourism, trade and prohibition-era smuggling.

Robere says many St. Pierre-Miquelon residents buy cabins and spend their summers in Newfoundland.

There’s also a longstanding sports rivalry, says Brian Rose, who grew up playing hockey against St. Pierre.

But during the World Cup, he’s putting that aside.

“We're hoping our friends can have some success,” said Rose, who’ll be colouring his cheeks with the French flag on Tuesday. He runs a tour company, and took some of his guests to watch the France versus Morocco match in St. Pierre.

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