Canada soccer fans tore into Michael Buble for his brief opening ceremony performance before the host country kicked off their hugely anticipated World Cup campaign on Friday afternoon.
The singer headlined the show before Canada’s first game of the tournament against Bosnia and Herzegovina, performing his 2022 song ‘Bring It On Home To Me’.
Flags for every team in the competition were brought onto the field before the 50-year-old Buble, stood in the center circle, burst into song just minutes before the start of the game.
Millions of fans had tuned in to watch the historic moment in Canada’s soccer history and were left bemused by Buble’s appearance in what was otherwise an electrifying atmosphere in the 43,000-seater stadium.
‘I have lived in Canada my whole life, we don’t care about Gospel and it’s nowhere near our identity,’ one fan wrote. ‘What is that garbage song choice and who gives a f*** about Michael Buble?’
Another said: ‘Welcome to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Now here’s Michael Buble to put you to sleep.’
Canada soccer fans brutally savaged Michael Buble for his World Cup ceremony performance
The 50-year-old took to the field minutes to headline his country’s World Cup party
A different, but equally brutal take, read: ‘Good grief. If you want to watch Michael Buble, go and watch him on Youtube or something.’
Many other fans made the very obvious joke about Buble’s reputation as a Christmas singer.
One said: ‘Just seen Michael Buble singing on TV and he’s not trying to sell a Christmas album. I’m so confused.
Another joked: ‘Canada defrosted Michael Buble before Christmas to be at the opening game.’
Others were bemused by Buble’s song choice, with one saying: ‘I don’t understand why Michael Buble is singing this particular song at this particular time.
Buble wasn’t the only star on show before the game got underway. The World Cup stage was so enticing, in fact, that the notoriously camera-shy singer Morissette even made an appearance, singing the Canadian national anthem, O Canada.
Canada, hosts of the tournament for the first time, headed into the game desperately looking for their first ever win in the competition.
The team is considered Canada’s ‘golden generation’, spearheaded by star striker Jonathan David and Alphonso Davies – the latter unfortunately absent from the opening game due to injury.
They are managed by Jesse Marsch, a former USA international who, much to his fury, was overlooked to coach his country in favor of Mauricio Pochettino.
He then took over Canada and is desperately looking to prove to his home country that they made a big mistake.
It was a terrible start, though – they fell 1-0 down after 21 minutes through a header by Jovo Lukic.
