‘Canada deserves to be there’: Guelph soccer legend scored Canada’s first World Cup goal
Posted Jun 24, 2026 07:07:17 AM.
Last Updated Jun 24, 2026 12:00:42 PM.
It’s set to be one of the most important afternoons in Canadian soccer history as the men’s national team looks to earn a historic point against Switzerland in Vancouver.
However, 30 years ago, a woman from Guelph helped pave the path to where Canada soccer finds itself today by scoring the first-ever goal for the nation at a World Cup.
Helen Stoumbos, born and raised in Gulph, was at the 1995 World Cup in Sweden and scored a goal directly from a corner kick as her team trailed 3-0 against England.
Although Canada went on to lose the game, the country made it’s mark at the tournament. But the moment didn’t exactly sink in for the Canada soccer hall-of-famer until months later.
“I think I was hosting a TV show,” remembered Stoumbos. “There was a questions and answers part and somebody asked me who scored the first ever World Cup goal for Canada. I literally turned around and said ‘I don’t know, who was it?’ And he was like, ‘It was you!'”
Stoumbos spent plenty of time in Waterloo Region during her career with the Laurier Golden Hawks.
It’s been more than 30 years since that Olimpico goal for Canada, and as Stoumbos explained, support for this version of the team, and the Canadian women’s team at recent tournaments, is night and day compared to the days when she was on the pitch.
“It’s great to see the support, it’s great to see Canada proving they deserve to be there, they’re not just a host nation,” said Stoumbos. “How the fans have embraced them has been slowly building over the last 10 years or so.”
As for Canada’s chances of finding a result against Switzerland, Stoumbos believes this group has what it takes.
“I think it’s going to be a really tight game. I wish I could be in Vancouver for it, but I’ll be watching on my TV at home instead,” said Stoumbos. “I believe they can come away with a tie.”
Fans in Waterloo Region can enjoy today’s match live alongside other fans at Kitchener Market or the Gaslight District.
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