nova scotia soccer fans come together for local hero jacob shaffelburg's historic world cup run with team canada
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nova scotia's jacob shaffelburg is a member of team canada at the world cup. - postmedia
soccer fanatics from across nova scotia will come together to cheer on local star jacob shaffelburg on saturday.
the 26-year-old from port williams is a member of the canadian team that is making a historic run at the world cup, so there are numerous watch parties scheduled around the province for the 2 p.m. elimination game against morocco. among them is a huge event at the port pub and bistro in shaffelburg’s hometown.
“in the port itself, in our taproom side where we have a tv, we’ll probably have 150 to 200 people there, inside and outside,” said rob webb, one of the pub’s owners.
“we’re also going to put some extra tvs on our deck. and then for half of our parking lot, we’re going to cordon it off. there’s another brewery right next to us that used to be called wayfarer’s (ale ltd.) and now is called bay of fundy (brewing company), but on the side of their building there’s going to be a 100-inch tv and an 85-inch tv. that’ll be for anybody that doesn’t want to come in and eat and have drinks.
“there will be food and live music out in the parking lot, so people will have a watch party out there, as well. we’re not sure, but it could be between 500 to 1,000 people here to watch the event.”
strong connection to shaffelburg
a sign at the port pub and bistro in port williams supporting hometown soccer player jacob shaffelburg. – supplied by the port pub and bistro
shaffelburg grew up a short walk from the pub, and webb said one of shaffelburg’s mother linda’s best friends, pam smith, is one of his employees.
“his father michael is a dermatologist in kentville, so a lot of people also know him that way,” webb said. “the family drops in here from time to time, but pam keeps us up to date with exactly what’s going on in jacob’s life.
“it’s pretty special that jacob is from our community here. everyone here is really proud of him, so it’s pretty exciting down here to see what he’s doing at the world cup.”
the port pub held watch parties for canada’s other world cup games, but this one is at a whole other level because of what it means to the nation and its place in global soccer. the team’s 1-0 win over south africa in the previous stage put canada into the round of 16 for the first time.
port williams’ jacob shaffelburg is a winger with team canada at the world cup.- supplied by canada soccer
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shaffelburg made the pass that led to stephen eustaquio’s dramatic winning goal, so he isn’t just on the team but making a meaningful contribution.
the speedy winger’s shot in a 6-0 round-robin win over qatar also found the net but was officially recorded as an own goal.
he is the first nova scotian ever to play for canada at the world cup.
“two years ago with team canada at the (copa america tournament) he scored a few goals for canada, so they nicknamed him the maritime messi,” webb said. “it’s pretty neat that the whole (annapolis) valley is behind him, and the whole province, as well.”
more shaffelburgs in soccer
canadian national team player jacob shaffelburg signs a jersey for local soccer player carter conrod during an event at the bmo soccer centre in clayton park on june 4, 2025.
ryan taplin
/
chronicle herald
the shaffelburg family has extensive soccer roots in the valley. michael was a striker for acadia and oldest son zach followed in his footsteps with the axemen. daughter jessica played four seasons of ncaa division 1 soccer at jacksonville university in florida, serving as team captain in her final year.
the halifax wanderers will also host a watch party in downtown halifax. the canadian premier league team will convert a section of a lower water street parking lot at the salter street block to a festival-style venue for the big game. doors will open at noon and the event is free and open to all ages.
canadian national team player jacob shaffelburg meets with local soccer players during an event at the bmo soccer centre in clayton park on june 4, 2025.
ryan taplin
/
chronicle herald
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