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HomeCanadaPotential Canada-Italy World Cup matchup in Toronto sets off cheers and jitters

Potential Canada-Italy World Cup matchup in Toronto sets off cheers and jitters

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Soccer fans react as they watch the FIFA World Cup draw during a watch party organized by the City of Toronto at the St. Lawrence Market North Building, on Friday.

Moments after Canada learned – well, sort of – who their first opponent will be at the 2026 World Cup, a loud groan rippled across a FIFA draw watch party in downtown Toronto. Across town in Little Italy, Rocco Mastrangelo Jr. felt something stirring deep within his chest.

Friday’s draw revealed that Italy is the presumptive favourite to face Canada when Toronto plays host to Canada’s first World Cup game on home soil next June, provided Italy − the four-time world champions − can win its playoff bracket against lower-ranked European teams in March.

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Ethan Radcliffe
Ethan Radcliffe is a senior reporter and digital editor at The Toronto Insider, specializing in Canadian federal policy, GTA urban development, and national economic trends. With over a decade of experience in North American journalism, Ethan focuses on translating complex legislative and economic developments into clear, accessible reporting for Canadian readers. Ethan’s work emphasizes policy analysis, government accountability, and data-driven reporting, with a strong focus on how federal and provincial decisions impact communities across the Greater Toronto Area and beyond. He has covered infrastructure planning, housing policy, fiscal strategy, and regulatory changes affecting Canadian households and businesses. A graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University’s School of Journalism, Ethan brings expertise in investigative reporting, long-form analysis, editorial standards, and digital publishing best practices. His reporting is guided by verifiable sources, public records, and transparent sourcing. In addition to reporting, Ethan has experience in newsroom editing, fact-checking workflows, SEO-informed journalism, and audience analytics, ensuring stories meet both editorial integrity standards and modern digital discoverability requirements. Ethan is committed to objective, fact-driven journalism and adheres to established ethical guidelines, prioritizing accuracy, clarity, and public trust in all reporting.

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