Canadian fans reach a fever pitch

TORONTO — It’s only appropriate Canada’s opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup took place in the nation’s largest city. It is the World Cup, after all.

The colossal tournament, held simultaneously in Mexico and the United States, kicked off at Toronto Stadium Friday under a bright blue sky.

And it was a thriller.

A raucous crowd of 43,000 fans, most sporting red and white, turned out to see a 1-1 draw between Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The on-field environment was electric for the lucky fans who could afford seats at a revamped BMO Field — which includes 17,000 temporary matchstick-like seats that promised to shake after a home goal. This came true when Cyle Larin hit the back of the net in the 78th minute.

Canada had never hosted a World Cup. Canada had never won a game. Canada’s men had scored just two World Cup goals — only one orthdoxically as the other was an own goal by Morocco in Qatar.

Now Canada has one point in Group B standings — the team’s first point in tournament history.

There was a lot riding on this opening match for Canada, not just for the squad but the sport for generations to come.

After dominating 61 per cent of the play with 13 shots, 38 touches in Bosnia’s box and nine corner-kicks, Canada rose to the occasion with positive attacking play.

While the on-field performance did not disappoint, there were complications off the field.

“Torontonians are disenchanted with FIFA right now,” local fan Peter Lashly said prior to the game. “They are disappointed at the high and unreasonable ticket prices, the cost to run the tournament, and the traffic closures. They are frustrated because they were looking forward to the World Cup and wanted to be able to participate and go to games.”

Momentum for the tournament came late in both Toronto and Vancouver, Canada’s two co-hosting cities. There was no signage or World Cup branding until late May.

“If we were hosting the World Cup in London, there would be signs and banners splashed on every corner for years,” said England native Petra Salva.

The World Cup festivities were disrupted 24 hours earlier, when all outdoor watch parties — including the downtown FIFA Fan Zone — were evacuated due to potential thunderstorms.

Irate fans grumbled as they were forced to leave the watch party for the opening game shortly after celebrating Mexico’s first goal against South Africa. The largely pro-Mexico crowd, many draped in Mexican flags, was singing Cielito Lindo to mariachi music when they received the order.

The lightning never came.

The buzz in Toronto is now officially real. The FIFA Fan Zone blasted off with an opening concert on Wednesday night featuring Bryan Adams, Nora Fatehi, Sanjoy and Vegedream, The Beaches and AHI & Wyclef, alongside live performances from Mexico City and Los Angeles. Twenty thousand fans jammed the corridor between Bathurst and Fort York to celebrate the musical kickoff.

The World Cup scene also came to life in locations throughout the city.

Nathan Phillips Square is host to a viewing screen and is a hot spot for mini-soccer pickup matches on turf fields. Players of all ages, sporting jerseys of their favourite teams, can be seen juggling balls and playing games.

At the Harbourfront, Soccer Canada House was roaring with multiple bars, screens and play stations. The Stackt Market is a viewing-party zone. The CN Tower radiates red. Neighbourhoods like Kensington Market are a mosaic of international flags and soccer pageantry.

Toronto, home to over 200 ethnicities and 150 neighbourhoods, has become a collection of mini villages celebrating the footie party.

Canadian Voyageurs fan Derek Hawsworth was one of thousands of supporters who joined the sea of red march to the stadium prior to the match. The Voyageurs are Canada’s official soccer fan club with more than 15,000 members. Smoke grenades and Maple Leaf flags smothered the streets.

“We’ve only got one shot at this life, so we’ve got to experience these events because, otherwise, it just passes us all by,” he said. “I believe this is one of those events that brings people together, and it will be a fun time.”

The noise in the background suggests many agreed with him.

Canada! (clap, clap, clap)

Canada! (clap, clap, clap)

Allez, allez, allez, les rouges allez!

Allez, allez, allez, les rouges allez!

Hawsworth, who took a month off from his job in Vancouver to watch the tournament, said Canadian organizers could have done more to promote a true celebration.

“Mexico made their opening day of the World Cup a national holiday. I believe Canada could have done the same thing,” he said.

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“Nothing brings a nation together more than a sporting event that everyone can get behind. It would have been a nice way to enjoy it even if you couldn’t go to the game, because everyone is going to be tuned into it, whether on their iPhone, iPad, or laptop, to watch the match.”

“Ooh ah Canada, say ooh ah Canada!”

The chants continued into the stadium, and throughout the match. And the 12th man — those thousands of fans — carried the spark.

The promise is there. But fans will still have to wait for that historic win.

Carrie Serwetnyk is a former Canadian national team soccer player and the first woman inducted to the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame. This is the 10th-straight men’s World Cup that she’s attended.