Canada defender Richie Laryea embracing hometown spotlight ahead of World Cup opener

Richie Laryea has played some big soccer games in his hometown of Toronto.

The next one will be by far the biggest.

The Toronto FC defender is expected to be part of Canada’s lineup when the nation begins its FIFA World Cup quest against Bosnia-Herzegovina on June 12.

“It’s pretty surreal to see the World Cup here in our backyard, in Toronto, somewhere that I obviously know very well. I’ve grown up playing here,” he said.

“So to see all the signs, the billboards, the preparation for the World Cup get here, it’s kind of hard to pick a word to describe it exactly. But it is special. It’s definitely going to be probably up there with one of my best memories of my career.”

Laryea hasn’t played an MLS game since April 22 due to a thigh injury, but he’s expected to be fully fit in time for the World Cup.

The 31-year-old homegrown talent heads into the tournament on pace for a career-high season with two goals and two assists across nine games for Toronto.

Canada’s first match takes place at Toronto FC’s home stadium, BMO Field, which is being renamed Toronto Stadium for the World Cup.

It’s a familiar setting for Laryea, who said preparing for the game against Bosnia won’t be markedly different than getting ready for other matchups.

“I think you almost have to treat it like it’s an important match like some of the other ones that we’ve played at BMO Field and not make it bigger than what it actually is,” he said. “So I think within the group we’re pretty good at doing that.

“And I think June 12 will evidently be a very big and special moment for our entire city. But within the group, I think what we’re trying to do is narrow it back down to us and just be composed for when the moment comes.”

Laryea has made 73 appearances for the national team, including 60 starts, and has already experienced one World Cup with Canada. He was part of the roster when the country made its return to the tournament in Qatar in 2022, ending a 36-year absence.

This year feels different, he said.

“I think we just gained experience from the 2022 World Cup,” he said. “I think we showed ourselves really well, but the results didn’t reflect that. So now we have guys that have experience from the group stage games in Qatar that can now bring it here in 2026, which will be good.”

Sixteen cities across Canada, the United States and Mexico will host a total of 104 games across the expanded 48-team tournament between June 11 and July 19.

Toronto will stage six matches, while Vancouver’s B.C. Place Stadium — where Laryea briefly played as a member of the Whitecaps in 2023 — will host another seven, including Canada’s second and third group-stage bouts.

“I think this summer will be special,” said Laryea.

He also believes the World Cup will provide everlasting memories for some kids in Toronto — and he’s looking forward to being a part of them with Quaker Canada’s youth escort program.

The program is selecting about 300 young people from under-resourced communities to walk out onto the field alongside an athlete.

“I remember being a young player and looking up to national team players,” Laryea said. “So the fact that these players now get to walk out with us and experience the energy firsthand is going to be really powerful.”

ALL THAT AND A BAG OF CHIPS

He’s also teamed up with Lay’s Canada. Cartoon images of Laryea and his national squad teammate Nathan Saliba appear on bags of the brand’s latest Canadian-inspired flavour, bacon poutine.

The salty treat tastes exactly as described, Laryea said.

“I have poutine from time to time, it’s one of my cheat meals,” he said. “So I did really enjoy the bacon poutine chips.”

The Lay’s campaign also features global soccer stars Thierry Henry, Lionel Messi and David Beckham on flavours from around the world. There’s cheese soufflé from France, steak and chimichurri from Argentina and cheese and onion from the United Kingdom.

For Laryea, having his face on a chip bag is “pretty cool.”

“From the past, whether it’s Olympics or World Cups, the NBA, NFL, they usually do these things for the players that participate,” he said. “So being able to see my face on the bag is, I guess, a pretty special moment, especially being able to have family and friends in stores seeing them and sending me pictures. It’s pretty cool.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 22, 2026.

Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press