The wait is finally over for soccer fans across Canada as Toronto hosts its first FIFA World Cup 2026 match Friday afternoon, with Canada set to face Bosnia and Herzegovina in a historic opening game at Toronto Stadium.
Excitement has swept across the city, with supporters from both communities organizing watch parties, fan marches, and cultural celebrations ahead of the 3 p.m. kickoff. From Etobicoke to downtown Toronto, fans have been gathering in anticipation of a moment many have waited decades to witness.
Bosnian-born, Canadian-raised supporter Adis Mrakovic said he is hosting a community watch party featuring traditional Bosnian dishes such as cevapi.
“It’s going to be a very emotional game for me,” he said, expressing hopes for a high-scoring match between the two nations.
Canadian supporters are also planning a major pre-game celebration. Fans dressed in red are expected to march from Trinity Bellwoods Park to the stadium in what organizers are calling a “Sea of Red” celebration marking the 40th anniversary of Canada’s first FIFA World Cup appearance.
The atmosphere around the city has already been electric. Thousands of supporters streamed into the FIFA Fan Festival at Fort York National Historic Site on Thursday to watch the tournament opener, despite severe weather briefly disrupting festivities.
Toronto is scheduled to host six World Cup matches during the tournament, including group-stage clashes featuring Germany, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Panama, Senegal, and Iraq, along with a Round of 32 knockout match in early July.
Before kickoff, fans will be treated to a star-studded opening ceremony featuring performances by Canadian music icons Alanis Morissette, Michael Bublé, Alessia Cara, Jessie Reyez, William Prince and Sanjoy.
Tourism officials say nearly half of all tickets sold for matches in Toronto have been purchased by international visitors, highlighting the tournament’s global appeal and economic impact on the city.
Canada Soccer CEO Kevin Blue said the national team will benefit tremendously from playing in front of a home crowd.
“The benefits from the home crowd are going to hopefully help push the team forward,” he said.
City officials are warning residents to expect significant traffic congestion and road closures around the stadium and fan festival areas throughout match days. Fans are being encouraged to use public transit, with additional GO Transit and TTC services operating to accommodate the influx of visitors.
As supporters flood downtown Toronto wearing jerseys from around the world, many believe the tournament represents a defining moment for soccer in Canada — one that could inspire a new generation of players and fans long after the final whistle blows.
