As the World Cup approaches, there is a particular sense of pride taking hold in Quebec. CBC News reported that several members of Canada's squad are feeling it especially keenly because they are competing on home soil in the province where they grew up, turning the tournament into a moment of recognition for Quebec's soccer community.
One of those players is 22-year-old Nathan Saliba, who cracked the roster as one of five Quebecers to make the team, or six if you count a British player whose father is from Montreal. For Saliba, simply being there is meaningful, a sign of how far the sport has come in a place he calls home and a chance to represent his province on the biggest stage.
Saliba framed the strong Quebec presence as a testament to the development of soccer in the province. It shows there is real talent locally, he said, and that Quebecers are hardworking people who can make an impact on the rest of the country, casting the players as ambassadors for a scene that has often gone underappreciated nationally.
Part of that story is institutional growth. While Montreal has long been home to the Major League Soccer side CF Montreal, the past year has seen two new professional clubs launch in the province, Roses FC in the women's Northern Super League and FC Supra in the men's Canadian Premier League, broadening the professional pathways available to local players.
Those involved also point to the province's diversity as a strength. As one voice in the report put it, the beauty of Quebec is that it is home to so many different nationalities, and many of the immigrants who come to the province arrive with soccer already in their DNA, feeding a deep and varied pool of talent.
A clear example is midfielder Ismael Kone, who moved to Quebec from Ivory Coast when he was seven years old. Now 23, he is set to take part in his second World Cup, having already played for the Canadian men's team in 2022, a trajectory that underscores how local development can carry players onto the international stage.
His former youth coach, identified as Placentino, said Kone earned everything he has today through his own work, with the program simply giving him the chance to believe in himself. Beyond individual stories, those in the game credit sustained investment in programs and infrastructure for the rise, suggesting Quebec's moment in the spotlight has been built over years rather than arriving by chance.