Bryan Adams, Wyclef Jean and AHI help turn Toronto into World Cup launch party

TORONTO – As thousands of fans gathered beneath the Gardiner Expressway on Wednesday night to welcome the FIFA World Cup to Toronto, roots artist AHI couldn’t help but think back to his childhood playing soccer in Brampton.

“It’s amazing. It’s a dream come true,” the Ontario performer said before taking the stage with Haitian hitmaker Wyclef Jean at the tournament’s countdown concert. 

“I used to be out there every day just kicking that ball.”

The concert, featuring spirited performances by Bryan Adams, Nora Fatehi, The Beaches and others, marked the start of World Cup festivities in Canada as the tournament prepares to kick off Thursday.

AHI said the event at Toronto’s Fort York Historical Site and The Bentway was about more than music. It was a celebration of a sport that shaped his childhood and a city he believes is uniquely suited to host visitors from around the globe.

“I think we are the most diverse place on the planet. You can go in any pocket and find a different nationality, a different type of food. And I think that’s our strength,” he said.

“Our multiculturalism is our badge of honour.”

Toronto’s countdown concert unfolded simultaneously with companion events in Los Angeles and Mexico City as FIFA sought to showcase the cultural sides of this year’s three host nations.

AHI and Jean performed “Chosen,” a song the Brampton artist originally envisioned as a World Cup anthem.

“I wanted something to inspire the game, inspire the inner kid in me that used to play,” said the singer-songwriter born Ahkinoah Izarh, who also coaches soccer in a kids’ league.

AHI’s wife, who is also his manager, sent an early version of the track to Jean’s team, hoping the “Ready or Not” star would want to collaborate on it.

“The next day I was on a call with him. He was like, ‘Man, I wish I wrote this song. What do you want me to do on this?'”

Jean ultimately produced and sang on “Chosen,” and joined AHI on stage — alongside a group of young breakdancers waving flags from around the world — for a rousing set that closed Wednesday’s concert.

As AHI strummed guitar, Jean broke out into a freestyle shouting out Drake: “Put your hands up if you rep the six and you’re ready. It’s Wyclef Jean. I’m in the Iceman’s city!”

Billed by FIFA as a first-of-its-kind multi-city concert, Andrea Bocelli began the event in Mexico City with an emotional performance of “Nelle tue mani (Now We Are Free),” displayed on a giant screen for fans in Toronto.

Canadian rocker Adams took it from there at Fort York, hitting the stage in a blue tracksuit to play “Roll with the Punches,” the title track from his 2025 album of the same name, and his classic “Summer of ’69,” replete with a crowd singalong.

“Let the games begin!” Adams hollered after his set.

Canadian-Moroccan artist Nora Fatehi kept the energy going with a crowd-raising performance featuring Bangladeshi-American DJ Sanjoy and French hip-hop artist Vegedream.

Toronto rock band The Beaches got fans dancing with a set that included “Edge of the Earth,” their 2023 track that recently enjoyed a streaming boost after being featured in Prime Video’s hockey romance series “Off Campus.”

Fans in Los Angeles enjoyed performances from Major Lazer, Davido, Ava Max and BIA, while Mexico City’s concert also featured Los Ángeles Azules, Belinda and Elena Rose.

The World Cup begins Thursday, with Canada’s first-ever men’s World Cup match on home soil scheduled for Friday against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Footie fans from around the world attended Wednesday’s kickoff event in Toronto.

Kentin Perrig and Baptiste Crittin flew from Switzerland to the city to catch some World Cup action.

“They call it soccer here instead of football, so I don’t think it was the greatest country to host it,” quipped Perrig, 22.

Crittin, 20, jumped in to defend Toronto: “I think it will be good because there’s lots of stuff to do here, even for foreigners. I’ve met people from all around the world here.”

Perrig admitted Toronto has impressed him. “The city is great. In downtown there are some cool events, and we’ve noticed different areas set up with soccer pitches. There’s always something to do here, lots of festivals and parties.”

Throughout the tournament, several Canadian artists will play Toronto’s free FIFA Fan Festival, including Alessia Cara, k-os and Shawn Desman.

“I think these concerts bring more people to the event and make this open to everyone, even if you don’t like soccer,” said Crittin.

“The World Cup is more than just a football championship. It’s a mood.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 11, 2026.