{"id":4128,"date":"2026-06-17T19:08:17","date_gmt":"2026-06-17T19:08:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/movinginsiderusa.com\/?p=4128"},"modified":"2026-06-17T19:08:17","modified_gmt":"2026-06-17T19:08:17","slug":"ali-ahmed-and-canada-prepare-for-vancouver-homecoming-at-the-world-cup-in-a-wide-open-group-b","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/movinginsiderusa.com\/?p=4128","title":{"rendered":"Ali Ahmed and Canada prepare for Vancouver homecoming at the World Cup in a wide-open Group B"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"\"<\/figure>\n\n
Canada\u2019s Ali Ahmed works out during a training session during the FIFA World Cup soccer tournament, Monday, June 15, 2026 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (AP Photo\/Abbie Parr)<\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n

VANCOUVER, British Columbia \u2014 Ali Ahmed\u2019s move from the Vancouver Whitecaps to English club Norwich ahead of this year\u2019s MLS season did little to diminish his standing among local supporters.<\/p>

Read more Olympic medalist Jenny Simpson collapses after medical episode while pacing mile group at event<\/a><\/p>\n

While the Canada midfielder was in Toronto for his team\u2019s World Cup<\/a> opener against Bosnia-Herzegovina, supporters who gathered at the fan festival at Freedom Mobile Arch in Vancouver erupted when Ahmed\u2019s No. 20 flashed on the substitution board.<\/p>\n

The fans chanted his name on multiple occasions as Ahmed turned in a respectable performance from the 61st minute on and contributed to his nation’s 1-1 draw.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cI was very impressed by his substitution. He was able to get across his man a lot,\u201d said Adam Lovell, a member of a group of Canadian soccer supporters called The Voyageurs. \u201cI think the home crowd will be definitely a determining factor in helping give him a lift.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the other Group B game, Switzerland was held to a 1-1 draw by Qatar<\/a> , leaving all four teams even headed into the next set of matches. Canada will stay in Vancouver for the rest of the group stage, facing Qatar on Thursday and Switzerland on June 24.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is my home,\u201d Ahmed said after his first training back in Vancouver. \u201cGetting back in the building, sitting in the same changing room that I used to sit in for three years … I love this place.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ahmed added that he attended Vancouver\u2019s first World Cup match, between Australia and Turkey<\/a> , to cheer on Norwich teammate Mohamed Toure.<\/p>

Read more India thumps the Dutch and Australia routs Bangladesh at Women\u2019s T20 World Cup<\/a><\/p>\n

As the Canadian men prepare for the eighth World Cup match in their history, the national team is still searching for its first victory on the sport\u2019s biggest stage. With six losses in its previous six matches, the draw against Bosnia marked the country\u2019s first World Cup point.<\/p>\n

Ahmed understands what it would mean to help Canada secure that elusive first win in the stadium where his professional career began.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope (the BC Place crowd) will be similar to Toronto, just all red. The stadium is closed, so it should be louder,\u201d Ahmed said. \u201cI\u2019m used to a good crowd over here in BC. I know they love their soccer. We really hope that we can give the fans what they deserve.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ahmed won\u2019t be the only former Whitecap to return to Vancouver for Canada. Six players on Canada\u2019s squad have suited up for the Whitecaps, including team star Alphonso Davies, who is still recovering from a hamstring injury, and Richie Laryea, who had a brief loan stint in Vancouver before his return to Toronto FC.<\/p>\n

\u201cKnowing how well the Whitecaps are doing right now and how many local fans will want to come out,\u201d Laryea said, \u201cI think it\u2019ll be a good atmosphere again.\u201d<\/p>\n

___<\/p>\n

Ben Kule is a student in the University of Georgia\u2019s Carmical Sports Media Institute.<\/p>

Read more Golden Knights promote Ryan Craig to head coach from AHL<\/a><\/p>\n

___<\/p>\n

AP World Cup: https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/fifa-world-cup<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Ali Ahmed\u2019s move from the Vancouver Whitecaps to English club Norwich ahead of this year\u2019s MLS season did little to diminish his standing among local supporters<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4126,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4128","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-interesting"],"yoast_head":"\nAli Ahmed and Canada prepare for Vancouver homecoming at the World Cup in a wide-open Group B - Moving Insider USA<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/movinginsiderusa.com\/?p=4128\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Ali Ahmed and Canada prepare for Vancouver homecoming at the World Cup in a wide-open Group B - 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