World Cup excitement bringing local families together after pandemic quiet

For many soccer fans in Waterloo region, the fast-approaching World Cup is a time when families come together to bond over their love for the sport. 

The tournament's even more significant now that the Canadian men's soccer team secured their spot in the World Cup by beating Jamaica on Sunday. Wednesday's game against Panama is the team's final one in the qualifying round. 

"I'm excited that Canada ... has a chance and there are some good players there. That's what's kind of piquing my interest," said Christine Karunananthan.

"We really enjoy watching the finals. That's kind of like what we've done every time it's on and it's more of a family bonding thing, and we just enjoy that," she added.

Karunananthan's six-year-old son, Jack Inoque, is part of youth soccer skills club Soccer Shots in Kitchener. He said he's looking forward to watching the tournament in November. 

"It might even be my first time watching," he said.

Gladys Dibia, whose son Godwin Odoemelam is also learning to play the sport through Soccer Shots, said the excitement is building after years of pandemic quiet. 

"I think we have been home and we want to see some things getting to normal. Having [the World Cup] ... it's a way to feel like we are getting back to how normal life used to be," she said.

Her husband Stanley Odoemelam, who was a former soccer player in Nigeria, said it's been a thrill watching Canadian players win their way to the final.

"They are really impressive. They are trying now. They have soccer techniques and the coach right now is doing a great job," he said. He said he hopes to see his son one day join the Canadian team.

"I was a very, very good soccer player. Very, very good ... And I believe that my son will do better than me and