Dwayne De Rosario’s World Cup Moment: The Canadian Soccer Legend on Legacy, Style, and the Future of the Game
Canadian soccer has reached a moment that once felt impossible. With the FIFA World Cup now on home soil, the sport has moved from the margins to the centre of the national conversation. Few people understand that evolution better than Dwayne De Rosario.
A pioneer of Canadian football and co-host of GLORY’s DeRo & the Diehard podcast, De Rosario has lived every chapter of the game’s growth. We caught up with him at Atelier Munro in Toronto’s Yorkville neighbourhood while he was being fitted for a custom suit, reflecting on the significance of this World Cup, the future of Canadian soccer, and the parallels between personal style and athletic confidence. In both football and fashion, success comes down to preparation, precision and finding the confidence to step into the moment.
Interview: Ben Botelho
Photography: Dimitri Aspinall
What’s been your most memorable moment of the World Cup so far?
Dwayne De Rosario: June 12, the kickoff. That was the launch of something very special in this country. It wasn’t just the start of the World Cup in Canada, it was a statement about how much this game has grown here. The contributions of players like myself, the players before me, coaches, referees, and everyone who’s been involved in the game—it was a special moment for all of us and touched me in a way that no one could really comprehend. When I think about a young DeRo growing up in metro housing, then seeing the world come to your country for a sport that wasn’t always supported the way it should’ve been, it was historic. You could feel this was on another level. I think it was important for all of us to witness that and embrace it.
Having the World Cup kick off in Toronto was incredibly memorable.
Have the expectations matched what’s actually happened?
Dwayne De Rosario: I’m loving it. The World Cup is the World Cup. The excitement, the emotions, and the passion moves people. Seeing fans from all over the world travel to our cities has been incredible. People don’t realize that supporters follow their teams from city to city. That fan culture transcends borders.
It’s also teaching us something as Canadians. You see traditions like the Viking clap or the different supporter cultures every nation brings, and you realize how powerful that connection is. It was amazing seeing Canadian fans come out in Los Angeles and wherever the team travelled. That’s important, not just for the fans, but for the grassroots movement and for kids growing up today.
Now they have players like Jonathan David, Alphonso Davies, Tajon Buchanan, and Stephen Eustáquio to look up to. They can see someone who came from a community like theirs and believe they can be next.
You’ve often said, “Look good, feel good, play good.” Why has that philosophy always resonated with you?
Dwayne De Rosario: I’ve lived it.
When you’re wearing a jersey that’s light and looks good, you feel good. I remember growing up playing in Malvern. We had this bright yellow Brazilian kit, and we only wore it for cup finals or the biggest matches. My dad made sure of that.
Every time we put that jersey on, it felt like we transformed. We played differently. I understood that even as a young kid.
Then I remember playing basketball. The first time we won the bantam championship and went to the junior finals, we got brand-new silk tearaway warmups. Back then, those were everything. You came onto the court, ripped them off and just felt ready.
Those little things stay with you. As you get older, they evolve, but the feeling never changes. When I put on a suit like this, I feel on top of the world. I feel ready. I feel light. I feel comfortable.
There’s an elegance to it, but there’s also responsibility. When you wear a suit, there’s a certain way you carry yourself. Your posture changes. Your attitude changes. That confidence affects performance, just like wearing boots that fit properly or a uniform that’s designed well. Today our national team dresses with style, and I think that absolutely translates to confidence on the field.
What do you look for in a suit?
Dwayne De Rosario: A suit is a reflection of how you’re feeling. When you wear certain suits, you carry yourself differently. I like taking subtle risks with my suits. I like the sharp look and the clean look, but I also like a little edge: a pop of colour, a bit of swagger.
For me, comfort comes first. The material has to move with you. You know you’re wearing a suit, but you’re still relaxed in it.
What do you enjoy about the custom suit experience?
Dwayne De Rosario: I love it because it’s made for you.
As we get older, our bodies evolve. Your fit changes. You start noticing little things. Maybe your arms are getting bigger because you’ve been in the gym. Maybe your chest has changed. Maybe your thighs have gotten bigger. A custom fitting teaches you things about your own body.
I compare it to buying a new home or car. You want something that’s versatile and built to last. When you’re test-driving a car, you’re looking for comfort, durability, and performance. A great suit is no different.
Michael Truong (Atelier Munro): One thing I’ve always loved about working with Dwayne is that he isn’t afraid to experiment. He’s a blank canvas who’s open to trying different fabrics, textures, and designs. That’s what makes creating clothing for him so enjoyable.
Why do football and fashion seem to overlap so naturally?
Dwayne De Rosario: Football is a global game, and it’s always represented in style.
Even if you just look at the jerseys, they’ve changed sports fashion. Every World Cup, people want to see the new kits, materials, and designs. That passion carries over off the pitch.
Fashion is important. Style is important.
I grew up in a time when everybody wore suits to the stadium. That was just part of football culture. Today it’s different. Everyone’s photographed arriving in their own outfits, and that’s great. Personally, I still love the tradition of players arriving in suits because, at the end of the day, it’s business. When you walk into a stadium wearing a great suit, you feel confident. You feel ready to take care of business.
Michael Truong: I think soccer has always had a strong European influence, and European men traditionally take pride in how they dress. That doesn’t stop once they leave the pitch; it carries into their everyday lives.
That influence has gradually made its way into North America as well, and we’re seeing more people appreciate tailoring again.
After the pandemic, everyone leaned into athleisure because they were working remotely. Now people are returning to offices and events, and classic tailoring is making a real comeback. Luxury heritage brands are becoming more relevant again, and I think custom suiting is benefiting from that shift.
How would you convince someone that investing in a custom suit is worth it?
Michael Truong: Today, everything is built around instant gratification. You click a button and something shows up at your door. What gets lost is the relationship.
Working with a style advisor means building trust. We learn about your lifestyle, what you need your wardrobe to do and how you actually live. That allows us to guide you toward pieces that genuinely fit your life instead of simply selling you clothing.
What’s one piece of advice for someone looking to elevate their style?
Michael Truong: Sit down with someone who knows how to ask the right questions. Once you understand what you’re actually trying to achieve with your wardrobe, a style advisor can help guide you toward those goals. That’s my process. I learn about the client first, then I use my experience to help build a wardrobe that’s authentic to who they are.
You’ve experienced that process firsthand. Why would you recommend it?
Dwayne De Rosario: Because it really is an experience. You’re choosing the fabric and figuring out what fits your body, your posture, your personality and even your skin tone. All of those things come together to reflect who you are as a gentleman.
Even when my kids put on a tailored suit, you can see it immediately. Their posture changes. Their body language changes.
If you’ve never had that tailored experience, I’d absolutely recommend it. It transforms you.
What I’ve experienced with Atelier Munro isn’t just fashion or design. It’s working with people who are genuinely passionate about what they do. I’m passionate about football and giving back to my community, so when you find a brand whose passion matches yours, you create something special.
