Brampton’s Atiba Hutchinson says World Cup team already having an impact back home

Finally at the World Cup, Brampton’s Atiba Hutchinson is getting to reap the rewards after 19 years service in a Canadian shirt. And so is Canada.

“I’ve already seen it sparking a lot of interest in younger players — seven-, eight-year-olds, some in my family, teammates, children,” the Brampton native and veteran midfielder said of Canada’s return to the men’s soccer showcase after a 36-year absence. “The interest that it’s brought to our country is really special to see.

“I’ve been with the national team for a very long time and I’ve never see it get to this level. So it’s great to see and I think it’s going to continue to get bigger and bigger from here on out.”

At 39 years old, Hutchinson is the oldest outfield player at the World Cup. He is also the only Canadian player who was alive when Canada last made the World Cup in 1986.

Hutchinson said the 1994 World Cup in the U.S. was the first for him in realizing how big the event was.

“I was into that one. I followed it a lot and my team was Brazil and they ended up winning it,” said the native of Brampton, Ont. “Just to see all the emotions and what it meant for countries, the fans in the stadium, around the stadium. It was special to see and that kind of sparked a very big interest in me, giving me that feeling of maybe one day playing in a World Cup.”

More than a quarter of Canada’s 26-man team hail from Brampton and will represent the country when they play their first tournament game on Wednesday (Nov. 23).

Tajon Buchanan, Cyle Larin, Liam Millar, Ike Ugbo and David “Junior” Hoilett are all from Brampton and make up the majority of forwards on the team, while midfielder Jonathan Osorio rounds out the squad’s Brampton connections.

Soccer fans can cheer on Brampton’s hometown heroes at World Cup viewing parties at Garden Square.

Canada has been placed in Group F and will play in three group stage matches, starting with Belgium on Wednesday (Nov. 23). Here are the dates and times for all of Canada’s matches at Garden Square:

Wednesday, Nov. 23 v. Belgium – 2:00 p.m. ET
Sunday, Nov. 27 v. Croatia – 11:00 a.m. ET
Thursday, Dec. 1 v. Morocco – 10:00 a.m. ET

Sunday’s broadcast against Croatia in Garden Square will have special guests including Brampton Soccer Club and Brams United Soccer Club, as well as local food vendors where fans can grab a bite to eat.

Canada’s first 2022 FIFA World Cup match will be broadcast this Wednesday at Garden Square at 2:00 p.m. ET.

With files from The Canadian Press