Canada’s basketball stars watching, supporting men’s soccer World Cup team

By: John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press Posted: 10:22 AM CDT Monday, Jun. 29, 2026

TORONTO - Canada's other men's World Cup team is paying close attention to the success of the national soccer team.

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TORONTO - Canada's other men's World Cup team is paying close attention to the success of the national soccer team.

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TORONTO – Canada’s other men’s World Cup team is paying close attention to the success of the national soccer team.

Basketball stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Dillon Brooks and Nickeil Alexander-Walker all said they were getting inspiration from Canada’s men’s soccer team advancing to the Round of 16 at the World Cup. The trio spoke before Canada’s men’s basketball team opened up its training camp ahead of two FIBA Americas qualifying games that could send them back to the 2027 Basketball World Cup.

“Watching their games, their success, it’s been inspiring to see the growth of that program and where it’s come from in just a short amount of time, the growth of the players,” said Gilgeous-Alexander, a two-time NBA MVP with the Oklahoma City Thunder. “It’s been inspiring.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander speaks to media at the training camp roster announcement for the FIBA Men’s World Cup Americas Qualifiers, in Toronto, on Monday, June 29, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sammy Kogan

“It’s been fun, and makes you proud to be Canadian.”

Canada beat South Africa 1-0 on Sunday in a Round of 32 match in Los Angeles. It’s the first time the Canadian men have won a knockout match at the World Cup.

Brooks said he attended two of Canada’s group-stage matches in Toronto and Vancouver before reporting to the basketball team’s training camp in Toronto.

“I know they’re probably ecstatic for the success that they had, and support is fully here throughout the whole country, no matter what,” said Brooks, a small forward with the Phoenix Suns. “I can’t wait to see who they play next in the next round.”

Canada’s men’s basketball team will face Puerto Rico on Friday and Jamaica on July 6 at Hamilton’s TD Coliseum as they continue their drive to qualify for the FIBA World Cup. Canada is atop Group B with a perfect 4-0 record with the two games left in the qualifying stage.