Jakarta. Canada’s historic run to the round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup inspired a nation and fueled football fever across the co-host country, Canadian Ambassador to Indonesia Jess Dutton said, as the team celebrated its best-ever performance in the tournament.

Canada reached the knockout stage for the first time after securing its first-ever World Cup victory and winning more than one game during the tournament. Its campaign ended with a defeat to Morocco in the round of 16, although Dutton described the match as a closely fought contest.

“We feel really, really good. Canada had a number of firsts. We won our first game, and we won more than one game. We made it to the round of 16, which is farther than we’ve ever made it before,” Dutton told the Jakarta Globe.

“The game against Morocco was a really close game, so we’re really, really thrilled with our team. I think they really inspired a nation,” he added.

As one of the tournament’s co-hosts, Canada has seen widespread enthusiasm for the World Cup, with Dutton describing the atmosphere back home as lively and energetic.

Canada hosted 13 World Cup matches across Toronto and Vancouver as part of the expanded 48-team tournament, the first edition jointly staged by three countries. The Canadian government projected the event would add about $2 billion to the economy, create nearly 25,000 jobs and attract more than one million visitors.

“People were really, really excited that Canada was co-hosting the World Cup and that we were welcoming the world to Canada. I would say we had football fever, which continues until the very end,” he said. “There was a great deal of excitement and passion for the game and the sport.”

The enthusiasm also reached Jakarta, despite the time difference that forced Canadian fans in Indonesia to stay up late for matches.

“My one complaint about being in Indonesia during the World Cup is that all of the games are in the middle of the night,” Dutton joked.

The Canadian Embassy organized a watch party at a theater in Senayan for Canada’s round-of-16 match against Morocco, which kicked off at midnight Jakarta time.

“There were a lot of people. It was midnight when the game started, so it was a little late, but some football fans turned out,” Dutton said, adding that the tournament had also been a constant source of discussion among colleagues at the embassy.

Dutton also highlighted a football connection between Canada and Indonesia through the current coach of Indonesia’s men’s national team, who previously coached both Canada’s women’s and men’s teams.

“That’s an important connection. We’re happy to share our experiences as a host and in hosting major events. But we’re both sporting nations, and hopefully next time we’ll play against each other,” he said.

When told of hopes that Indonesia could one day qualify for the World Cup, Dutton expressed his support. “I hope so, too. I’ll be supporting them. That’s for sure,” he said.

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