The Socceroos have plenty of company in Vancouver before facing Turkey in their World Cup opener. This city, which blends Melbourne-like culture with striking mountain scenery, already featured plenty of Australian accents, and recent arrivals have added thousands more through the airport terminals.

Colby List, a Socceroos supporter touring North America with five companions for the event, found the setting immediately appealing. "It feels quite similar to Australia," he noted. "After spending a week in New York during preparations, Vancouver strikes us as much closer to home."

The Brisbane local sported a Nestory Irankunda jersey at the city's World Cup fan festival, where the North Shore Mountains dominate the outlook. "It comes across as a hilly Melbourne," List observed.

Canada's 2021 census recorded roughly 25,000 residents born in Australia, with nearly half located in British Columbia. Many chose the area due to the extensive mountain ranges spanning the western province.

The ski destination of Whistler, about 120 km distant, is often called "Whistralia." Australians passionate about snow contribute notably to the local alpine scene, aided by an open visa program permitting two-year working holiday visits, exceeding durations in most nations. Numerous individuals choose to remain.

Australian-run venues include the bakery Peaked Pies and the downtown pub Moose's Down Under, which offers a kangaroo burger. The nearby wildlife site Great Bear Lodge is overseen by Melbourne native Marg Leehane, a former software developer who embraced a wilderness lifestyle.

Others prefer urban settings. Melbourne-born Alojz Cuk has resided in Vancouver for 12 years after meeting his Canadian spouse during a snowboarding trip. Their second child is expected near the World Cup final.

"Most Canadians mention some link to Australia upon learning I am from there, such as a relative married to an Australian or time spent visiting," he explained. "My chiropractor today, for instance, studied near Ballarat."

Football Australia anticipates around 10,000 Australians at the opening match, drawn from ticket purchase records on country of origin.

Many attendees resemble List as short-term visitors and dedicated football enthusiasts. Another Australian in an Irankunda shirt was seen conversing with a companion in St Pauli colors.

Some are likely long-term residents. Cuk noted prior support for Croatia at World Cups via family roots, yet he donned a Wallabies jersey on Friday.

One Australian family at the fan festival included a father in a yellow cricket top and an Australian Open cap, while his sons wore blue caps featuring the Calgary Kangaroos logo from neighboring Alberta.

These examples formed part of hundreds of yellow shirts visible in Friday's clear weather, mixed among Canadians viewing the home team's opener against Bosnia and Herzegovina, an engaging game highlighted by the hosts' timely equalizer.

List noted growing Australian numbers over the past day. "We encountered several yesterday during the initial matches, but today the count has risen," he said. The Australian presence is just starting.

The Cat Empire, the Melbourne jazz-funk group, will perform twice, while TikTok creators Those Carter Boys arrived via the tourism board to promote Vancouver to Australians online. The Green and Gold Army plans a march along Robson Street on match day, a key shopping and dining area.

List, who attended World Cups in Brazil and Russia but skipped Qatar, said he and his group have embraced the usual greetings and connections among traveling Australians.

"A nod and wave always follow recognition," he said. "We viewed the Korea match at a Korean eatery. It worked out well despite TV issues, as patrons collaborated. One person used a laptop to cast content, and a group member helped repair a screen. We succeeded in the end."