Canada Draws Thousands to Toronto Stadium for 3 p.m. Opener
Thousands of fans filled toronto stadium on Friday as Canada opened its FIFA World Cup campaign against Bosnia-Herzegovina, with the first World Cup match on Canadian soil set for 3 p.m. Friday. The crowd turned the temporarily rebranded BMO Field into a Canada-Bosnia split of red, white, blue and yellow.
Toronto Stadium Opens a First
The opener carried a clear marker in the tournament calendar: it was the first World Cup match ever played on Canadian soil. Toronto Stadium is hosting six games, and Friday’s crowd brought fans from across Canada and beyond to the site before kickoff.
Daniel Klik, a Canadian soccer fan from Mississauga, Ont., got his tickets in February and said the turnout matched what he had hoped to see. “I'm excited to see how the game goes, and it seems to be a great turnout,” he said outside the stadium. He added: “I feel it's very important to wear the jersey to support Canada. Everyone here is really excited for the game.”
Voyageurs and Bosnia Fans
Canada’s Voyageurs supporters group marched from Trinity Bellwoods Park, while Bosnia supporters gathered at Stanley Park before making their way in. Some fans wore Bosnia’s blue and yellow, and the mix of colors made the divided crowd visible well before the match began.
Henoc Muamba joined the Voyageurs as they headed toward the stadium. The route added another layer to the citywide scene, with fans already gathering earlier at the FIFA Fan Festival in Fort York.
Travel From New Brunswick and Boston
Raine Easton flew in from New Brunswick for the tournament and called the World Cup “a great opportunity for Canada.” She added: “I'm super excited. I think it's a great day weather-wise, too, so hopefully it should be good.”
Benjamin Sahacic arrived from Boston on Thursday night with his wife and three kids to watch Friday’s game. He said Canadians had been “super friendly and hospitable” during the visit and called the night ahead “a special occasion for all of us Bosnians who have dreamed of this day.” He added: “We appreciate the opportunity to come to Canada.”
The city’s fan scene was not untouched by the weather. The FIFA Fan Festival in Fort York was cut short on Thursday after rainy conditions, but the Friday buildup still drew thousands to Toronto Stadium as Canada joined the joint-hosted tournament running until July 19.
