Windsorites take in more World Cup action, resident travels to Qatar for match
The Manchester Pub in downtown Windsor filled up early ahead of Canada's World Cup match against Croatia.
About 20 fans waited in the rain before doors opened at 10 a.m. Sunday.
Soccer fans wait in the rain to get inside The Manchester Pub to watch the game in Windsor, Ont. on Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor)
Soccer fans came out in droves last week on Wednesday for the first game in Canada’s historic return to the World Cup.
The Manchester Pub has been playing the other matches since the tournament started one week ago and say crowds get continue to be large even when Team Canada isn’t playing.
Staff add they’re ready to welcome back fans when Canada plays its final group match against one of Africa’s best in Morocco on Thursday, December 1 at 9:45 a.m.
Tecumseh’s Marcela Diaz said it was necessary to witness the game, donning an Osorio jersey.
“We're being part of history here in the Manchester Pub,” Diaz exclaimed. “Canada's first goal in the World Cup soccer it’s just amazing!”
Soccer fans fill the Manchester Pub to watch Canada's World Cup match against Croatia in Windsor, Ont. on Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor)
Harry Baumann tried to leave the bar on a positive note after Canada’s defeat, still feeling a sense of pride for what Team Canada had accomplished.
“If you had told me four years ago that Canada would be competitive with Croatia, I would have said you're crazy. You don't know anything about soccer,” Baumann told CTV News. “But they were competitive today.”
“Amazingly exciting to see Canada score a goal and to see all the loyal fans that have come out here and packed the place today lose their minds with joy and delight,” said Stephen Hargreaves who does special events and promotions at the Manchester. “That's the best part about it.”
Soccer fans fill the Manchester Pub to watch Canada's World Cup match against Croatia in Windsor, Ont. on Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor)
“Canada did not have an easy group. We're not playing easy teams. Even the next game is probably one of the best, definitely in the top three in Africa.”
Hargreaves said he anticipates large crowds to continue throughout the rest of the tournament.
“Luckily we won't have to wait a lifetime till the next World Cup,” he said. “In four years it will be here in Canada and in the US and Mexico. I know a lot of these young stars will be even better.”
Canadian-Croatian Windsor resident Natasha Feghali went to Qatar to watch the game in person.
Windsor resident Natasha Feghali in Qatar to watch the World Cup Canada-Croatia game. (Courtesy: Natasha Feghali)“It's been wonderful so far! We've had an excellent, excellent time,” Feghali said from inside the stadium.
“Very safe, very organized. I actually chose to stay in the fan village to get the whole experience and it's been fabulous.”
Feghali told CTV News whatever the outcome, it was worth the weekend trip, noting Canada was well represented by a large number of Canadian supporters in the crowd.
“It’s win-win for me! Whoever wins I’m good! I’m on both sides and you know, we're all looking forward to the World Cup in Canada as well and it’s going to be awesome!”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
W5 EXCLUSIVE | Interviewing a narco hitman: my journey into Mexico's cartel heartland
W5 goes deep into the narco heartland to interview a commander with one of Mexico's most brutal cartels. W5's documentary 'Narco Avocados' airs Saturday at 7 pm on CTV.

Tyre Nichols' brutal beating by police shown on video
Memphis authorities released video footage Friday showing Tyre Nichols being beaten by police officers who held the Black motorist down and repeatedly struck him with their fists, boots and batons as he screamed for his mother and pleaded, ''I'm just trying to go home.'
OPINION | Selling a home? How to know if you qualify for a capital gains exemption
When selling a home, Canadians may be exempted from paying capital gains tax on a residential property -- if it's their principal residence. On CTVNews.ca, personal finance contributor Christopher Liew explains what's determined as a principal residence, and what properties are eligible for the exemption.
Inflation-focused Pierre Poilievre back to Parliament as health-care talks loom
With a deal under negotiation between Ottawa and provinces, and premiers invited to a meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in early February, the issue remains one where the Tory leader's position appears somewhat murky, including to some inside his own party.
CRA head says it 'wouldn't be worth the effort' to review all ineligible pandemic payments
The head of the Canada Revenue Agency says it 'wouldn't be worth the effort' to fully review $15.5 billion in potentially ineligible pandemic wage benefit payments flagged by Canada's Auditor General.
Lifelong Toronto Maple Leafs fan fulfils dream of seeing first game, passes away next day
Mike Davy always dreamed of going to a Toronto Maple Leafs game, and once it finally happened, he passed away the night after.
Aryna Sabalenka beats Elena Rybakina for Australian Open women's title
Aryna Sabalenka, a 24-year-old from Belarus, who won her first Grand Slam title by coming back to beat Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 at Melbourne Park on Saturday night, using 17 aces among her 51 total winners to overcome seven double-faults.
How to fix a howitzer: U.S. offers help line to Ukraine troops
Using phones and tablets to communicate in encrypted chatrooms, a rapidly growing group of U.S. and allied troops and contractors are providing real-time maintenance advice -- usually speaking through interpreters -- to Ukrainian troops on the battlefield.
'This is too much': B.C. mom records police handcuffing 12-year-old in hospital
A review has been launched after police officers were recorded restraining a handcuffed Indigenous child on the floor of a Vancouver hospital – an incident the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs has denounced as "horrendous."