(Corrects spelling of Jamie ⁠MacLeod's name in paragraph six)

VANCOUVER, June 24 (Reuters) - Thousands of Canada supporters marched ‌through Vancouver in high spirits to BC Place for their clash against Switzerland, singing and waving banners as they backed the World Cup co-hosts in their ​bid to reach the knockout rounds ⁠for the first time.

The sea ⁠of red and white demonstrated how the ice hockey-mad nation has ⁠embraced ‌soccer wholeheartedly, with every match in Vancouver drawing a full house.