Meet the families behind Canada’s World Cup squad

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While there might only be 11 Canadians on the soccer field at once, there’s an army of familial support behind them off the pitch.

This World Cup, the Canadian men’s national team have defied the odds and made its first-ever round of 16. Their family members have been following them across the continent, sharing their love for the players. In the wise words of Tate McRae, you know they’re Canada down.

Stephen Eustáquio

The round-of-32 hero, Stephen Eustáquio, was overcome with emotion after Canada’s victory.

“For the country,” he posted on Instagram after the win.

Eustáquio’s older brother, Mauro Eustáquio, was able to speak to the midfielder after the round of 32 and again while Canada was travelling to Houston for the round of 16.

“I said, ‘Dude, has it sunk in?’” said Mauro. “He said, ‘Mauro, now it has. The amount of people that have reached out, the amount of videos that I’ve seen ... I get it.’”

Stephen is also engaged to Constança Damião, and their daughter, Benedita, was born in April, 2024.

Alphonso Davies

Captain Canada may have had limited minutes this World Cup, but his fiancée Sheyenne Jen is still showing him all the love.

The German content creator posted a TikTok of her getting ready for one of Canada’s games, applying lip gloss while wearing a Davies Team Canada jersey.

Maxime Crépeau

Not to be too punny, but Maxime Crépeau’s wife is a keeper.

After Canada defeated South Africa in the round of 32, Crépeau, the starting goalkeeper, was shown running to the stands to celebrate with his wife of more than eight years, Cristina, and his family shortly after the final whistle was blown.

This isn’t the first time Crépeau has jumped into the stands after a game. The 32-year-old also went into the stands to hug and give his jersey to his dad, Rémi.

Alistair Johnston

Despite being American, defender Alistair Johnston’s wife, Peyton, knew all the words to the Canadian national anthem.

“Until we switched to French,” she joked on her Instagram post after Canada’s 1-1 draw to Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The pair married in 2025, with the couple sharing their wedding photos online. Alistair has also posted photos of his parents at his games, alongside with his brother, when the 27-year-old played for Wake Forest University in North Carolina.

Derek Cornelius

Derek Cornelius’ fiancée, Liv, has caught World Cup fever.

On her TikTok, the 28-year-old defender’s partner has posted more than a dozen videos of her getting ready for and attending Canada’s World Cup games. Her recent posts show her in a denim outfit with “Cornelius” in pearls on the back.

With reports from Neil Davidson