OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney's fervent support for Canadian sports teams is stirring controversy amid a string of unfortunate defeats and mishaps. While Carney's enthusiasm at the World Cup is unmistakable, some Canadians are beginning to wonder if his presence might be more of a curse than a blessing.

In a bizarre turn of events dating back to March 2025, Carney participated in a pre-game skate with the Edmonton Oilers, who subsequently suffered a loss to the Winnipeg Jets, accompanied by a series of injuries. The incident, labeled as the "Carney Curse" by former Oiler Ryan Whitney on the social platform X, raised eyebrows across the nation. Whitney's tweet after the game expressed dismay: "The Carney Curse is real for Edmonton. What the hell just happened. Guy is on the ice with the Oil this morning and now everyone is injured."

The curse seemed to have extended to the world of soccer when Canada faced a disappointing defeat against Switzerland in the World Cup, just as Carney stepped away from his box seat at Vancouver's BC Place. The only goal Canada scored happened during his brief absence, fueling speculations about the ominous "Carney Curse."

The nation held its breath last week when Carney skipped Canada's World Cup opener against Bosnia-Herzegovina, which ended in a thrilling victory against Qatar. Optimism surged among fans, hoping the dreaded curse was broken, only to be dashed after the subsequent loss to Switzerland. If Canada had secured at least a draw, they could have faced up to two more elimination games in Vancouver. Instead, they are set to play a knockout-round in Los Angeles against South Africa.

This pattern of misfortune isn't limited to hockey and soccer. The Toronto Blue Jays experienced a similar fate, losing the World Series after Carney's visit. Last summer, the Canadian women's rugby team faced setbacks at their World Cup following his supportive visit to the UK. Even the Montreal Canadiens weren't spared, suffering a series of losses during the Stanley Cup playoffs after being dubbed "Canada's team" by Carney.

As Canada braces for the upcoming match against South Africa, fans and players alike are left wondering: Is the Prime Minister's impassioned support a harbinger of doom or just a series of unfortunate coincidences? As the "Carney Curse" debate continues, the nation remains hopeful yet apprehensive about the future of its beloved sports teams under the watchful eye of their biggest fan—or biggest jinx.