Hundreds line up for Canada/Italy jersey swap in Toronto but it didn't go as advertised

It was the dream matchup that wasn't meant to be.

Italy was one game away from securing its ticket to FIFA World Cup 2026, where they would have faced Canada in the opening match.

But after losing to Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday, Italy's FIFA World Cup dreams are over, prompting Canada to have some fun at their expense.

Canada Soccer announced on Thursday that Italian soccer fans in Toronto would have the chance to trade in their Italy kits for Canadian ones at Cafe Diplomatico.

Dear Italian soccer fans,
Don’t wait four more years. Swap your jersey for Canada. Find us outside @cafedipTO tomorrow, April 4 2026, between 10 am to 2 pm pic.twitter.com/ZBDElZLWd9

— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) April 3, 2026

The subtle jab from Canada Soccer prompted some online to voice displeasure with the event.

"Lovely way to ostracize yourselves from a community that could have thrown their support behind the home cause without being shamed into it," one person wrote.

Well, despite some criticism, hundreds attended the event in Toronto, according to TSN's Matthew Scianitti.

And, as a long line of Italian soccer fans outside Cafe Diplomatico in Toronto came ready for a jersey swap, they were treated to a surprise.

"We're actually not going to take your jersey," a representative at the event said to one of the fans ready to give up his Italian jersey.

Instead, Canada Soccer handed out free jerseys and posters to those in attendance, according to Scianetti.

 

 

 

 

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Canada's new jersey for FIFA World Cup 2026 was officially unveiled in mid-March. A nameless replica jersey, which was seen being handed out for free, is valued at $134.99 online.

Italy has now missed out on qualifying for the World Cup on three consecutive occasions. The last time Italy participated in the World Cup was back in 2014, but they failed to advance past the group stage after losing to Uruguay and Costa Rica. 

Their failure to qualify for the FIFA World Cup in 2026 carries extra disappointment, considering that there are now 48 teams in the tournament, compared to 32 in previous iterations.