Croatian-Canadian soccer fans get ready for Canada’s match against Croatia at World Cup

While many Canadians will be cheering on their men's soccer team, numerous Canadians of Croatian descent say their loyalties lie with the opposing team.

Marinko Buric and his family have their red and white Croatian soccer jerseys ready for when they’ll visit a friend’s house to watch Canada and Croatia play at the World Cup this Sunday.

Buric expects it to be a noisy morning, with a big breakfast and lots of cheering for the team from Croatia, despite the fact that it’s Canada’s first time at the tournament in decades.

“I have always been much closer, when it comes to soccer, to the Croatian national team than the Canadian one,” said Buric, a Halton Hills, Ont., resident who was born in Canada and is of Croatian descent.

“Soccer is a big part of the culture in Croatia.”

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While many Canadians will be cheering on their men’s soccer team, numerous Canadians of Croatian descent say their loyalties lie with the opposing team.

Susan Katana Cork said it had been hard for her to choose between the two teams but she ultimately decided to cheer for Croatia.

“I am almost torn in a sense because I am a Canadian, but I am also Croatian because of my family heritage,” said the Markham, Ont., resident.