Canada got their World Cup campaign underway with two of their most famous stars cheering them on from the stands, with Ryan Reynolds and Mike Myers seen going wild as they snatched a late draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Reynolds and Myers, who were both born in Canada despite also being United States citizens, were in Toronto for their country’s highly-anticipated opening match on Friday afternoon.
TV cameras picked out the legendary actors and film producers sitting together in the crowd at Toronto Stadium – which is typically named BMO Field – as Jesse Marsch’s side aimed to get off the mark with a victory.
Myers, 63, was in full soccer-fan mode with his 14-year-old son Spike, wearing a red Canada jersey and matching bucket hat to properly get in the World Cup spirit, while Reynolds, 49, was sat alongside them in a more casual white shirt and shades.
The group were shown on TV just before halftime, when they were seen reacting furiously to a missed chance by the hosts, who went 1-0 down in 21 minutes, as they chased an equalizer.
However, in the 79th of the game Reynolds, Myers and Spike were finally able to celebrate when Cyle Larin brought them level with a terrific right-footed finish from just inside the box.
Ryan Reynolds and Mike Myers were seen celebrating Canada’s opening World Cup draw
The legendary Canadian actors and film producers were in Toronto for their match against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday
Cyle Larin (No 9) earned the hosts a point after equalizing in the 79th minute of the game
The trio were captured savoring the moment after Larin’s leveler, with Reynolds offering high-fives to other jubilant fans in close proximity.
In the end that goal proved the last of the game, with the two sides settling for a point in their opening group match.
Next up for tournament co-hosts Canada is a clash with Qatar in Vancouver next Thursday.
Before the game began on Friday, Canadian icon Michael Buble emerged for a brief opening ceremony performance which was torn apart by fans online.
The singer headlined the show before his country’s first game of the tournament, performing his 2022 song ‘Bring It On Home To Me’.
Flags for every team in the competition were brought onto the field before Buble, 50, 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 had to settle for a draw in Toronto, with Qatar to come next in Vancouver next week
Soccer fans brutally savaged Michael Buble for his performance before Canada’s opener
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.
