World Cup fever takes over Toronto with fan marches downtown

Toronto —
Downtown Toronto witnessed exceptional atmospheres with football fans flooding the streets surrounding the celebration areas and Toronto Stadium, coinciding with the start of the Canadian national team's journey in the 2026 World Cup.

Canadian national team supporters gathered in fan marches raising flags and chanting slogans, before heading towards the stadium hosting Canada's first match in the tournament against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The downtown areas turned into open celebration squares, where the sporting atmosphere blended with family and tourist presence, in a moment described as historic for Canadian football.

These celebrations come as Toronto hosts the first men's World Cup match on Canadian soil, in an edition held in partnership between Canada, the United States, and Mexico.

Local authorities enhanced their presence around the events and crowded areas, with calls for fans to use public transportation and avoid driving near the stadium due to congestion and road closures.

Toronto is hosting six matches during the tournament, but Canada's opening match carries special symbolism as it marks the country's official entry into the heart of the global event, in front of its fans and on its soil.

The scenes in downtown reflect the level of enthusiasm accompanying the tournament, as Toronto has turned into a large festive center bringing together fans from various backgrounds in a global football atmosphere.