Before there were professional leagues and stadiums packed with FIFA World Cup fans, football (or soccer, as it is known in North America) was a popular game in the military, used to build physical fitness, encourage teamwork and boost morale. It should come as no surprise, then, that the sport was played in Niagara-on-the-Lake by soldiers training here during the First World War and beyond.

During the war, the YMCA sponsored a variety of sporting events, including football matches. Rivalries between battalions at Camp Niagara could be intense. In 1916, the 134th Battalion defeated the 169th Battalion in a much-anticipated match. Following their victory, members of the 134th paraded through the 169th’s camp, accompanied by a brass band, enthusiastically celebrating their triumph at the expense of their rivals. Fortunately for the defeated 169th, the victorious 134th was shipped off to Camp Borden the very next day, bringing the celebrations to an abrupt end. Football continued to be played at Camp Niagara after the war, and in 1934, D Company of the Royal Canadian Regiment was proclaimed champion of that summer’s competition. As Canada welcomes the world’s attention during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the cycle of victory and defeat will once again play out in full force — joy for some, heartbreak for others and celebrations that may occasionally be a little louder than strictly necessary.