The draw for next summer’s World Cup has opened the possibility that Canada will face Italy in its June 12 opener in Toronto, and hopes in the city’s Little Italy neighbourhood are running high.

The Canadian men’s soccer team drew Switzerland, the fifth-ranked team in Pot 2, and Qatar, the 10th-ranked side in Pot 3. A still-to-be-determined European opponent from Pot 4 could be Italy, which has yet to qualify for the tournament.

“I literally have butterflies in my stomach,” said Rocco Mastrangelo, co-owner of Cafe Diplomatico, which is known for its pizzas, pastas and soccer watch parties on College Street, in the heart of Little Italy.

“Right now I’m sure that all the Italians in Toronto have gone to the church and lit a candle and are praying that we qualify,” Mastrangelo said after F

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