People in this N.L. town are cheering for France in the World Cup — because they're neighbours

In the little newfoundland dog ithiel town of lot, some people testament be cheering for France in the semi-finals of FIFA World Cup 2026 on Tuesday — because part of France is right next door.

The French islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon are just a 90-minute ferry ride away, a few dozen kilometres off the coast of Newfoundland.

“If Canada couldn't take it home, why not have our neighbours take it home?” said Ambrose Price, standing by the Canada-France border crossing in Fortune.

Lise Brown will be watching the game from her job at the ferry ticket office. France faces Spain beginning at 4:30 p.m. NT Tuesday.

“I will definitely have my phone propped up while we're working,” said Brown. €œLove to see France go to the finals.”

Despite their geographical closeness, St. Pierre and Miquelon is quite different from rural Newfoundland. They use the Euro, have French electrical outlets, drive French cars, and close stores for two hours over lunch.

“It's actually shocking how different it is when it's so close to here,” said Jennifer Robere, manager of SPM Ferries in Fortune.

But the French islands have a longstanding connection with Newfoundland, linked over the years by marriages, sports, tourism, trade and prohibition-era smuggling.

Robere says many St. Pierre-Miquelon residents buy cabins and spend their summers in Newfoundland.

There’s also a longstanding sports rivalry, says Brian Rose, who grew up playing hockey against St. Pierre.

But during the World Cup, he’s putting that aside.

“We're hoping our friends can have some success,” said Rose, who’ll be colouring his cheeks with the French flag on Tuesday. He runs a tour company, and took some of his guests to watch the France versus Morocco match in St. Pierre.

Across the water in Miquelon, resident Joshua De Lizaraga feels the Newfoundland connection.

“They are islanders there. We are islanders. So there is something special when we are from islands,” said De Lizaraga.

Learn why these N.L. Residents want France to win the World Cup

Rose says living so close to France is “a real blessing.”

“We're still here in Canada, but yet just a short ride in a boat and we're in France,” he said. “Good food, good people, good everything.”

Price calls Fortune, “the most unique border crossing in Canada.” He plans to watch the match with his neighbours in Fortune.

“Team Fortune is cheering on Team France,” he said, adding he hopes the French can “bring home that cup and bring it over to Fortune.”

Laura Howells is a reporter and radio producer in St. John's. She's worked in Toronto, Hamilton and Whitehorse. Get in touch at laura.howells@cbc.ca.

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