Gatineau soccer fans make their way to Qatar for the World Cup
It is the trip of a lifetime for Jose Recinos of Gatineau, Que.
"I’m going to Qatar FIFA World Cup!" the 37-year-old said. "I’m there to support the team and see history in the making. I’ve been following the team closely during the qualification rounds and this will be my fourth game for Canada this year."
Along with his closest friends from the region, Recinos is on his way to witness Canada's opening match in person. The men’s national team's first appearance on the world stage since 1986.
"I wasn’t even born," said Juan Iriarte, joining Recinos on the trip.
"It’s crazy, we’re not used to seeing Canada," said Alexandre da Costa, experiencing the World Cup for the first time.
Those watching from the national capital can still take part in the celebrations. Restaurants have the option to open earlier after the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario extended first call to 7 a.m. during the month-long tournament.
"We never open this early," said David Hania, the general manager for The Glebe Pub Central.
They’re planning to open at 8 a.m. Monday, serving up beers, breakfast and soccer when England faces Iran.
"Typically, we open at 11:30 but we're changing our opening hours to 10:30 on the weekdays and 10 a.m. on the weekends to accommodate the 11 a.m. games," Hania said.
Canada, ranked 41st in the world, will start their campaign for the coveted trophy Wednesday, when they face Belgium.
But the lead up to the tournament has been surrounded by controversy. Host nation Qatar has been plagued by human rights issues, the treatment of migrant workers and its reversal on the sale of alcohol in stadiums.
Recino and his friends say they will exercise caution while away, focused on team Canada and witnessing a special moment in Canadian soccer history.
"Definitely a bucket list trip and to go with close friends makes it special," Recino said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Western University researchers unlock potential 'cure' for ALS
New research out of London, Ont.'s Western University is shedding light on a potential cure for ALS, in which the targeting of the interaction between two proteins can halt or fully reverse the disease's progression.
Police release 3D images of young child found in an Ontario river two years ago
Police have released a three-dimensional image of a young child whose remains were discovered in the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. almost two years ago.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
Kamala Harris drops F-bomb during White House live-stream
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris used a profanity on Monday while offering advice to young Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders about how to break through barriers.
B.C. man fighting for refund after finding someone living at Whistler vacation rental
Edwin Mostered spent thousands of dollars booking a vacation home in Whistler, B.C., for a group skiing trip earlier this year – or so he thought.
Avs forward Valeri Nichushkin suspended at least six months
Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin was suspended for at least six months without pay and placed in Stage 3 of the league's player assistance program.
Collapsed Baltimore bridge span comes down with a boom after crews set off chain of explosives
Crews conducted a controlled demolition Monday to break down the largest remaining span of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.
Security video caught admitted serial killer disposing of bodies in Winnipeg garbage bins
Security video caught admitted serial killer Jeremy Skibicki on multiple late-night outings, disposing of body parts in nearby garbage bins and dumpsters in the middle of the night.
Mortgage companies could intensify the next recession, U.S. officials warn
U.S. officials worry the next recession could be intensified by a cascading series of failures in the mortgage industry caused by crashing home prices, frozen financial markets and soaring delinquencies.