Canada’s first-ever FIFA World Cup game on home soil ended in a 1-1 draw, earning the team’s first-ever point in the tournament’s history.
More than 43,000 raucous fans—most of whom are draped in red and white—packed Toronto Stadium Friday for the match against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- Traffic, transit and schedules: A guide to navigating the World Cup in Toronto
- IN PICTURES: Canada plays first World Cup on home soil
Jovo Lukic scored Bosnia’s goal in the 21st minute. Cyle Larin scored the equalizer in the 78th minute to tie the match. Canada will now fly to Vancouver to face Qatar and Switzerland.
Before the match, thousands of Canadian soccer fans took over the streets of downtown Toronto as they marched towards the stadium. Bosnian fans also made their presence known as they made their way to the venue.
At the stadium, fans learned about how much they must pay for food and rinks. A bottle of water costs $7 while a beer is $16.75. A bag of popcorn costs $11.75 while a footlong hot dog with chips will run you $19.75.
Soccer fans of both countries who could not go to the stadium attended watch parties across the Greater Toronto, wearing their reds and whites or blues and yellows.
Meanwhile, Toronto police said they arrested two fans from the Bosnia group at Toronto Stadium after they allegedly assaulted officers. Police also intercepted two unauthorized drones.
Here are some highlights:
6:07 p.m. - Packed GO train platform
According to CP24’s Beatrice Vaisman, fans who got off the first train from Exhibition GO at Union Station after the match encountered a “bottleneck” on the platform.
In an interview with CP24, one fan described his experience at the busy Union Station.
“It was actually pretty smooth compared to what we expected,” said one Team Canada fan at Union Station. “We actually travelled all the way from New Brunswick to come to the game.”
“We had been to other events at Rogers Stadium over the summer when transit was not too great, but this was seamless.”
- Joshua McGinnis, CTV News Toronto journalist
5:57 p.m. – Larin on goal: ‘I score when Canada needs me.’
“It was special for me. I was ready to come in and score to help the team, to help the stadium fans to get back with us,” Larin told TSN after the match when asked about his goal.
“I think we had many chances and I told (the team) the goals are going to come. I said that from before. I score when Canada needs me.”
- Bryann Aguilar, CP24 journalist
5:56 p.m. - Jays players tuned in
The Toronto Blue Jays posted a photo on social media showing players watching the game on the jumbotron.
The Jays moved the start of their Friday game against the Yankees due to the World Cup.
5:46 p.m. – Drones intercepted
Toronto police say they intercepted two unauthorized drones near Toronto Stadium and the FIFA Fan Festival at Fort York.
Police say they detected one drone at Coronation Park at 1:15 p.m. and charged one person under the Canadian Aviation Regulations.
The second drone was intercepted in the area of Bathurst Street and Lake Shore Boulevard West at 2:30 p.m.
The drone operator was also charged.
Police are reminding the public that the airspace around the stadium and the Fan Festival are restricted for unauthorized drones.
- Bryann Aguilar, CP24 journalist
5:32 p.m.: Huge crowds leave Toronto Stadium
Chopper 24 captures a sea of red heading towards the Exhibition GO station after the match at Toronto Stadium. More than 43,000 people were in attendance.
There is no public parking around and several road closures are in effect so many fans are forced to take public transit out of the venue.
- Bryann Aguilar, CP24 journalist
5:10 p.m. – ‘The perfect score’
Mrakovic Fine Foods co-owner Amir Mrajovic says that the 1-1 finish to today’s match was “the perfect score.”
CP24 previously spoke with a number of fans at the Etobicoke watch party who conceded that they had mixed feelings about having to choose between Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- Joanna Lavoie, CP24 journalist
5:10 p.m. – Attendance at Toronto Stadium
FIFA announced that 43,002 fans were in attendance at Toronto Stadium to watch Canada play its first World Cup match on home soil against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Toronto Stadium is the smallest World Cup venue with a capacity of 43,036.
- Bryann Aguilar, CP24 journalist
5:05 p.m. – Canada celebrates historic goal
This was the scene at watch parties across Canada when Brampton’s Cyle Larin scored in the 78th minute to tie the first-ever World Cup match on Canadian soil.
- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer for CP24 and CTV News Toronto
4:58 p.m. – Canada gets first World Cup point after 1-1 draw
Canada settles for a 1-1 draw with Bosnia-Herzegovina in its first World Cup match on home soil, earning its first-ever point in the tournament’s history.
- Bryann Aguilar, CP24 journalist
4:47 p.m. – Fan Festival food prices are steep, fan says
Jorge Hasbun says food prices at the FIFA Fan Festival are steep, though he found a meal of three grilled meat skewers and rice for about $23.
He says his only bad experience was when security did not allow him to bring his backpack inside.
- Jermaine Wilson, CTV News Toronto Journalist
4:46 p.m. – No overtime in group stage of World Cup
Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina remain tied 1-1 in the 83rd minute. There is no overtime in the group stage of the World Cup so if the match remains tied at the conclusion of stoppage time, it will go into the books as a draw and both sides will earn a single point.
- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer for CP24 and CTV News Toronto
4:40 p.m - Goal Canada
Brampton’s Cyle Larin scores Canada’s first home World Cup goal in the 78th minute to tie the match.
- Bryann Aguilar, CP24 journalist
4:39 p.m. - Ryan Reynolds takes in game from Toronto Stadium
Actor and Wrexham FC owner Ryan Reynolds is among the stars inside Toronto Stadium for today’s historic match. Edmonton Oilers Captain Connor McDavid and comedian Mike Myers have also been spotted on the broadcast.
- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer for CP24 and CTV News Toronto
4:30 p.m. – Divided loyalties for some Bosnian-Canadians
Bosnia fan Mane Trifunovic is among a crowd of hundreds at Mrakovic Fine Foods in Etobicoke, where a watch party is taking place. He says he is extremely conflicted about today’s match because Canada is his adopted home but Bosnia is where his heart lies.
“It is hard. It is mixed feelings, you know. I wish it was another country that was splaying Bosnia,” he says.
- Joanna Lavoie, CP24 journalist
4:25 p.m. – Canada makes substitutions
Canada has made three substitutions as it continues to trail 0-1 to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 60th minute. Brampton’s Promise David and Toronto’s Ali Ahmed are among the trio taking the pitch. Jonathan David is among the players leaving the match.
- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer for CP24 and CTV News Toronto
4:17 p.m. – Off the crossbar
Richie Laryea had a chance to tie the match but it went off the crossbar. Canada has eight attempts at goal so far.
- Bryann Aguilar, CP24 journalist
3:59 p.m. – Brampton fans cheer on Team Canada
A watch party for today’s match is also being held at Garden Square in Brampton. A total of six players on Canada’s World Cup team trace their roots back to Brampton, accounting for nearly a quarter of the roster.
CTV News Toronto’s Jessica Smith says that there have been frequent cheers of “Let’s go Brampton” from the pro-Canada crowd throughout the match.
- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer for CP24 and CTV News Toronto
3:52 p.m. – Canada trails 1-0 at halftime
There are lots of dejected Canada Soccer fans at the FIFA Fan Fest at Fort York and the Bentway with Canada trailing Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-0 at the half.
- Jermaine Wilson, CTV News Toronto Journalist
3:45 p.m. – Connor McDavid, Mike Myers in attendance
Canada hockey star Connor McDavid and comedian Mike Myers are among the star-studded crowd taking in today’s match from Toronto Stadium. McDavid was Canada’s top scorer at the most recent Winter Olympics.
- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer for CP24 and CTV News Toronto
3:39 p.m. – The view from Vancouver
Not the way Canadian fans wanted this one to start, but the few Bosnians in attendance at Vancouver’s FIFA Fan Fest are absolutely thrilled with the 1-0 lead and said they knew they’d be in the minority here but had to “come out and represent” for their country. They’re predicting a win for the team that knocked off Italy in an upset to enter the tournament.
- Andrew Johnson, CTV National News B.C. bureau chief
3:31 p.m.: - Bosnian fans erupt in Etobicoke
The crowd at Mrakovic Fine Foods in Etobicoke erupted in celebration after Jovo Lukic scored to give Bosnia and Herzegovina a 1-0 lead over Canada. Fan Christina Konstantin told CP24 that she believes Bosnia will win 3-0.
- Joanna Lavoie, CP24 journalist
3:25 p.m.: - Bosnian fans sing anthem in Etobicoke
This was the scene at Mrakovic Fine Foods in Etobicoke earlier as hundreds of Bosnia and Herzegovina fans rose as they heard their national anthem played.
Bosnia needed to beat Italy and then Wales in March to secure their spot in this World Cup through a last-chance qualifier.
- Joanna Lavoie, CP24 journalist
3:23 p.m. - Bosnia has the lead
Bosnia strikes first thanks to a goal from Jovo Lukic in the 21st minute. It is the first World Cup goal scored in Toronto.
- Bryann Aguilar, CP24 journalist
3:20 p.m. - Arrests in stadium stands
Toronto police provided an update on the altercation they responded to in the Toronto Stadium stands earlier.
They say two people were arrested for assaulting officers, who sustained minor injuries.
- Bryann Aguilar, CP24 journalist
3:18 p.m. – Fans at Toronto’s FIFA Fan Fest make their predictions
Rory McKenna is supporting Canada for today’s match and is among a large crowd at the FIFA Fan Fest at Fort York and the Bentway. He is picking Canada to win 2-0 against Bosnia and Herzegovina, securing the first World Cup victory in the country’s history.
- Jermaine Wilson, CTV News Toronto Journalist
3 p.m. - World Cup officially underway
The World Cup has begun in Toronto.
- Phil Tsekouras, CTV News Toronto Journalist
2:55 p.m. - Bosnia ‘finally on the big stage’
A few hundred pro-Bosnia fans have gathered at Mrakovic Fine Foods in Etobicoke and are watching today’s match on a 26-foot screen.
Co-owner Amir Mrakovic says he “can’t explain” the emotions he is experiencing watching Bosnia make its World Cup debut in his adopted country.
“You see how many people are here, everybody is happy. I have goosebumps. My beautiful, beautiful Bosnia is finally on the big stage and Canada is hosting it. It is a beautiful, beautiful feeling,” he said.
- Joanna Lavoie, CP24 journalist
2:55 p.m. - Vancouver fans boo Bosnian flag
The Bosnian flag was booed during the pre-game ceremony by the Vancouver fans, but nowhere near the negative reaction reserved for the United States, who were booed lustily.
- Andrew Johnson, CTV National News
2:50 p.m. – Opening ceremony underway
The opening ceremony at Toronto Stadium is underway with the flags of the 48 participating nations making their way to the field.
It is a sea of red in the stands of the stadium with pockets of blue and yellow.
Michael Buble is now performing “Bring It Home” featuring The Sole Power Choir.
- Bryann Aguilar, CP24 journalist
2:50 p.m. - Police respond to altercations in the stands
Toronto police say officers and security responded to reports of altercations in the stands.
No one was injured, they say, and the situation has been resolved.
“All in order,” police say.
- Bryann Aguilar, CP24 journalist
2:45 p.m. – Bosnia fans in Etobicoke optimistic about upset chances
Bosnia and Herzegovina fan Tahir Ahmetovic is among a large crowd taking in today’s match at a watch party hosted by Mrakovic Fine Foods in Etobicoke.
Ahmetovic says he cannot wait for the match to start and believes Bosnia can beat Canada, despite being widely considered an underdog after booking its ticket to the World Cup in a last-chance qualifier.
“There are lots of new young people on the roster and we are hoping that young energy just gives us the win,” Ahmetovic said.
- Joanna Lavoie, CP24 journalist
2:40 p.m. - Will Canada’s captain play a World Cup match?
Canada’s captain Alphonso Davies sat down with TSN’s James Duthie a day before the first World Cup match. Davies is not playing today as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury.
He tells Duthie that rehab is “going well.”
“We’ll see what happens over the next couple of days, couple of weeks. Tomorrow I’ll just support the team and hopefully they do well,” Davies said.
Asked if he’ll be on the pitch during the tournament, Davies said, “Obviously, all depending, like I said, on whether my rehab is going well, how my body reacts to different things on the pitch and in the gym.”
“I don’t want to say no, but I don’t want to say yes.”
Watch the full interview below.
- Bryann Aguilar, CP24 journalist
2:35 p.m. - The scene in Vancouver
Andrew Johnson from CTV National News signing on from the Vancouver Fan Fest on the PNE Fairgrounds.
The party atmosphere has started early -- and so have the chants. Close to 10,000 fans are expected here to watch Canada go for its first ever World Cup win.
The city is also preparing for the spotlight to shift tomorrow from Toronto to the west coast when Türkiye takes on Australia at BC Place Saturday night.
- Andrew Johnson, CTV National News
2:30 p.m. – Etobicoke deli hosting Bosnia watch party
A watch party for Bosnia and Herzegovina fans is taking place at Mrakovic Fine Foods in Etobicoke this afternoon.
Organizers are projecting the game on a 26-foot screen in the parking lot of the plaza and are serving up Balkan favourites, including roasted lamb, burek and cevapi.
- Joanna Lavoie, CP24 journalist
2:25 p.m. – Chow declares June 12 Soccer Day in Toronto
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow is at the FIFA Fan Fest at Fort York and the Bentway where she is leading the crowd in a chant of “Go Team Canada.”
Chow also officially declared June 12 as Soccer Day in Toronto.
- Jermaine Wilson, CTV News Toronto Journalist
2:15 p.m. – ‘Go Canada go!’: Premier Ford release motivational video
Ontario Premier Doug Ford showed off his soccer skills in a video release shortly before kickoff Friday.
“The FIFA World Cup has a way of bringing people together. And today, right here in Ontario, we’re so proud to cheer on Canada’s Men’s National Team as they mark their first-ever match on home soil,” he said in a pre-recorded video.
“Good luck Canada. We’re cheering you on every step of the way. Go Canada go!”
- Phil Tsekouras, CTV News Toronto Journalist
2 p.m. – Train delayed at Union Station
GO Transit says that the 1:47 p.m. train from Union Station on the Lakeshore West line is delayed by 15 to 20 minutes due to an equipment issue, potentially complicating the trip to Toronto Stadium for some soccer fans.
CP24’s Beatrice Vaisman says that there were hundreds of fans on the platform when the announcement was made.
- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer for CP24 and CTV News Toronto
1:55 p.m. - Pitch turns maple leaf red
The pitch has been covered by a canvas emblazoned with a maple leaf, pinned down by dozens of people sitting to keep it in place.
The entertainment begins with an energizing performance from Indigenous groups followed by Alessia Cara, one of the homegrown pop stars headlining the opening ceremony in Toronto.
For those biding their time until the athletic portion of the festivities, a single 473 ml Michelob Ultra can served to the seats comes at the price of approximately $20. A non-scientific assessment of the spectators suggests many did think to bring a plastic water bottle (with the label ripped off, in accordance with FIFA rules), which was allowed after an outcry over the initial ban.
-Mary Nersessian, News Director, CTV News and CP24
1:50 p.m. - Starting lineup revealed
Team Canada has shared its starting lineup for today’s match.
1:40 p.m. - The fan perspective
CTV News’s Mary Nersessian is attending today’s game as a fan. Nersessian says the excitement in the air at the stadium is “palpable.“
Here is what her experience was like accessing Toronto Stadium from Union Station.
“It took approximately 40 minutes to snake our way to the stadium from Union Station. Signs of crowd control are visible along the route with placards proclaiming ‘shorter lines’ this way. Still, barriers slow down the queues with the police officers and security guards keeping a watchful eye,” Nersessian says. “From a bird’s eye view at the stadium, it’s a sea of red punctuated by the sporadic bright blue of the Bosnia and Herzegovina fans. Many seats are unfilled but the match doesn’t get underway until 3 p.m. Still, the excitement is palpable in the staccato of the maple leaf clickers handed to all fans as they enter the stadium.”
1:35 p.m. - Team Canada arrives
Team Canada is in the building and set for its first ever match on home turf.
- Phil Tsekouras, CTV News Toronto Journalist
1:30 p.m. – Here’s the view from Toronto Stadium’s temporary seats
Curious what the view looks like from the temporary seats at Toronto Stadium? We climbed the steps to see for ourselves ahead of kickoff.
A total of 17,000 temporary seats were added to Toronto Stadium for the World Cup but the venue is still the smallest of any World Cup host city with a total capacity of approximately 43,000.
- Jermaine Wilson, CTV News Toronto Journalist
1:25 p.m. - Team Bosnia and Herzegovina arrives
Captain Edin Džeko and the Bosnia and Herzegovina squad have arrived at Toronto Stadium.
The 40-year-old striker has appeared with the national team 148 times.
- Phil Tsekouras, CTV News Toronto Journalist
1:20 p.m. – $88 tickets for some longtime Canada Soccer supporters
While many fans paid a minimum of $1,300 for tickets to today’s game with some premium seats selling for more than $3,000, a small number of lucky Canada Soccer supporters were given access to cheaper seats through FIFA’s supporters program.
Those tickets were distributed to fans through the Voyageurs supporters group and cost $88.Pedro Alvarado was one of the fans who received the discounted tickets and will be seated in Section 232 for today’s historic match.
“We are loud and we are having a good time,” Alvarado told CP24 at the stadium. Alvarado told CP24 that he expects Canada to score twice against Bosnia before conceding a late goal to win 2-1. “Come on you Reds, let’s go,” he said.
- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer for CP24 and CTV News Toronto
1:15 p.m. -‘Bosnia blue on the streets of Toronto’
Gareth Wheeler, a lead commentator for One Soccer, shared video of a horde of Bosnia fans flooding the streets of downtown Toronto.
Reports have suggested that tens of thousands Bosnia and Herzegovina fans have descended on Toronto for the first FIFA World Cup match in Canada.
- Phil Tsekouras, CTV News Toronto Journalist
1:05 p.m. - Team Canada departs for Toronto Stadium
Team Canada is on its way to Toronto Stadium, and got a thunderous sendoff from friends and family as they left their hotel.
- Phil Tsekouras, CTV News Toronto Journalist
1 p.m. – Canada chants break out on GO platform
A large crowd, most of them decked out in red, were captured chanting “Canada” on the GO Transit platform at Union Station hours before kickoff.
- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer for CP24 and CTV News Toronto
12:55 p.m. – These are the food and drink prices inside Toronto Stadium
Fans attending World Cup games at Toronto Stadium will have to dig deep into their pockets if they are planning on eating or drinking.
A bottle of water will cost you $7 and if you would prefer a beer you can expect to pay between $16.75 to $24.25, depending on the size and the brand. Soft drinks, meanwhile, are being sold for $9 each.
Food isn’t cheap either. A bag of popcorn will cost you $11.75 while a footlong hot dog with chips will run you $19.75. The most expensive single item on the menu is a BBQ brisket sandwich and chips for $26.25.
Last week, FIFA reversed a decision to ban reusable water bottles inside the stadium after it was met with intense backlash. Fans can bring one water bottle inside as long as it is plastic, soft, 590 millilitres (20 ounces), and factory sealed.
- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer for CP24 and CTV News Toronto
12:40 p.m. - Fans feeling the heat inside Toronto Stadium
Fans are beginning to arrive at Toronto Stadium where it is hot and breezy inside. The sprinklers just went on giving the field a water (and a nice spritz to media and photographers along the sidelines).
It’s currently 26 C on the pitch, but feels closer to 28 with the humidity.
While the majority of fans appear to be wearing red and white, there are some fans of Bosnia and Herzegovina sporting blue and yellow.
- Heather Wright, CTV National News Senior Correspondent
12:35 p.m. – Bosnia supporters briefly block intersection
A massive crowd of Bosnian soccer supporters stopped along King Street and chanted in unison for several minutes while a drumbeat sounded in the background.
Traffic appeared to be temporarily halted at the downtown intersection of King and Brant streets as a result.
- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer for CP24 and CTV News Toronto
12:30 p.m. - Team Canada fans make their score predictions
Canada fans Jason and Ken Bald said they travelled to today’s game from Oakville and Waterford, Ont., respectively.
Jason predicted a 2-0 win for Canada, while Ken thinks a more balanced 2-1 Canada victory is in the cards.
Canada’s men’s national team has never won a World Cup match.
- Jermaine Wilson, CTV News Toronto Journalist
12:15 p.m. – Bosnia fans march down King Street
A large crowd of Bosnia and Herzegovina supporters are on the move.
Hundreds of fans, all dressed in blue and yellow, were seen marching along King Street just moments ago.
Police have warned of road closures due to the march.
- Codi Wilson, CP24 journalist
12:10 p.m. – A look inside Toronto Stadium
The gates are open at Toronto Stadium and fans are slowly starting to trickle inside ahead of kickoff.
The opening ceremony for today’s match is set for 1:40 p.m.
- Jermaine Wilson, CTV News Toronto Journalist
12 p.m. – This is when Team Canada will depart for the stadium
Team Canada’s bus is expected to leave its hotel at around 1 p.m. for Toronto Stadium.
Warm-ups at Toronto Stadium are then expected to begin at around 2:05 p.m. with kickoff set for 3 p.m.
In between that there will be two opening ceremony concerts featuring performances by Alessia Cara, Elyanna, Jessie Reyez, Michael Bublé, Nora Fatehi, Sanjoy, Vegedream and William Prince.
The concerts are scheduled for 1:40 p.m. and 2:40 p.m. inside Toronto Stadium.
- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer for CP24 and CTV News Toronto
11:55 a.m. - Hundreds of Team Canada fans spotted in Etobicoke
CP24’s Phil Perkins encountered a herd of vocal Team Canada supporters in Etobicoke prior to today’s match.
Perkins asked several fans who they thought would win today’s matchup, with all (unsurprisingly) casting predictions for the home team.
- Phil Tsekouras, CTV News Toronto Journalist
11:50 a.m. – 501 streetcar service resumes after fan march delays
The Canada Soccer supporters march has arrived at Toronto Stadium.
The TTC says that service on the 501 Queen streetcar has now resumed after earlier delays.
- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer for CP24 and CTV News Toronto
11:45 a.m. – Soccer fans taking over Liberty Village
CP24’s Courtney Heels is speaking with fans in Liberty Village.
One Canada supporter teared up as she spoke about the emotions that she expects to feel in Toronto Stadium this afternoon when the Canadian anthem is played at a home World Cup for the first time.
“It is just such a huge moment, for all the players and all the people,” the woman, who is attending her fourth World Cup, said.
Heels says that crowds are already building in Liberty Village with a large number of both Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina fans milling around in the neighbourhood prior to the match.
- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer for CP24 and CTV News Toronto
11:30 a.m. - Gates open at Toronto Stadium
Kickoff is still hours away, but excited fans are rushing into Toronto Stadium for Team Canada’s first match.
CTV News Toronto’s Rahim Ladhani said every fan is being given a Canadian flag-shaped “clapper” to cheer on the home team.
“A lot of energy here already. It’s a crazy vibe here, you don’t want to miss it,” he said.
- Phil Tsekouras, CTV News Toronto Journalist
11:25 a.m. - Massive Team Canada crowd takes over downtown Toronto
Team Canada supporters are out in full force, taking over downtown Toronto’s streets ahead of kickoff.
Chopper 24 spotted the massive crowd of fans as they marched closer to Toronto Stadium.
Road closures are in effect.
- Phil Tsekouras, CTV News Toronto Journalist
11:20 a.m. – March makes it to King Street
The Canada Soccer supporters march has made it to King Street where some Bosnia and Herzegovina supporters were spotted crossing the intersection.
There is a separate march involving Bosnia and Herzegovina supporters that is scheduled to start at nearby Stanley Park at 12:30 p.m.
- Jermaine Wilson, CTV News Toronto Journalist
11:10 a.m. – The view from inside Toronto Stadium
CTV News Toronto’s Rahim Ladhani is inside Toronto Stadium where final preparations are taking place ahead of today’s World Cup game between Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Ladhani says that some of the people participating in today’s opening ceremony are currently participating in walk throughs.
“It is just a hub of activity. History in the making,” he says.
- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer for CP24 and CTV News Toronto
11:05 a.m. - The Voyageurs are on the move
The Voyageurs, Team Canada’s travelling fan club, is on the move towards Toronto Stadium ahead of kickoff.
A raucous sea of supporters draped in red and white, carrying Voyageurs banners and lighting red flares, could be seen marching down Strachan Avenue shortly after 11 a.m.
Andrew Anthony, an organizer with the group, told CTV News earlier this morning that today’s march is expected to be the biggest in the club’s history.
“We’re hoping for our largest turnout ever. And then, you know, we’re going to be loud, we’re going to be proud, and you know, hopefully cheer on our national team to a win,” he said.
-Phil Tsekouras, CTV News Toronto Journalist
10:55 a.m. – Canada Soccer crowd grows at Trinity Bellwoods
The crowd at Trinity Bellwoods is growing ahead of today’s planned march to Toronto Stadium. The march is scheduled to get underway at 11 a.m.
- Jermaine Wilson, CTV News Toronto Journalist
10:40 a.m. – Bosnian fan march will begin at Stanley Park
Toronto police say that they are expecting a fan march involving Bosnian supporters to begin at Stanley Park at 12:30 p.m.
Police say the march will move westbound on King Street to Strachan Avenue and then southbound to Coronation Park.
Road closures are in effect in the area and police are advising drivers to expect delays.
- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer for CP24 and CTV News Toronto
10:35 a.m. – Canada Soccer supporters to march to Toronto Stadium
Canada Soccer supporters have started to gather at Trinity Bellwoods Park in the city’s west end ahead of a planned march to Toronto Stadium being organized by The Voyageurs.
The march will head south on Strachan Avenue before arriving at the pitch.
Hundreds of fans are already in the park partaking in chants.
- Jermaine Wilson, CTV News Toronto Journalist
10:05 a.m. - Pre-game prep underway
CTV News Toronto’s Rahim Ladhani is at Toronto Stadium and caught up with a group of volunteers that will unfurl a giant flag during this afternoon’s pre-game ceremony.
“These are the volunteers who will be on the pitch unravelling a giant flag during the pregame #WorldCup ceremony inside Toronto Stadium before Canada vs. Bosnia Herzegovina,“ he wrote.
“Many of them are from Toronto while one woman told me she’s from Sault Ste. Marie.”
- Phil Tsekouras, CTV News Toronto Journalist
10 a.m. – Road closures in effect
Much of the area surrounding Toronto Stadium at Exhibition Place and the FIFA Fan Festival at Fort York is now closed to motorists.
The city has shut down Lake Shore Boulevard West from Bathurst Street to British Columbia Road. This closure will take effect on all six of Toronto’s game days, starting five hours before kickoff and ending three hours after the final whistle.
Manitoba Drive and most of Strachan Avenue will also be closed on match days. Traffic between Dufferin and Strachan is limited to local traffic only.
On non-match days, road closures and restrictions will be limited to the area of the FIFA Fan Festival.
According to the city, World Cup activity could add up to 15 per cent more vehicles to downtown roads, with impacts increasing significantly on match days.
- Phil Tsekouras, CTV News Toronto Journalist
9:30 a.m. - Only a handful of tickets still available through FIFA
There are only a handful of seats still available for Canada’s World Cup opener against Bosnia and Herzegovina on FIFA’s official ticketing platform as of Friday morning.
As of 9:30 a.m., there were just 22 tickets listed for sale for the match. Most of those were single seats in higher price categories, though there were a handful of pairs still up for grabs. Ticket prices range from $1,370 to $3,135.
There is significantly more supply on FIFA’s resale platform with many tickets being sold for less than face value, however.
As of 9:30 a.m. some Category 2 tickets that were originally priced at more than $2,000 were listed for as little as $805.
Some Category 1 seats, originally priced at $3,135, were available as little as $960, though that was only a single seat.
On Thursday afternoon, there were more than 400 tickets still available to the game through FIFA, though many of those appear to have disappeared overnight.
- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer for CP24 and CTV News Toronto
9 a.m. – Astronaut Jeremey Hansen delivers message to Team Canada
Astronaut Jeremey Hansen, who became the first person not from the United States to travel to the moon in April on Artemis II, shared a message with Team Canada on Friday.
“Heading into the World Cup, Team Canada. I am thinking about you. I really felt Canada behind me on my journey around the moon, and you can bet that we are all cheering you on as you head into this World Cup,” he said in a pre-recorded video which was broadcast on CTV’s Your Morning.
Hansen said that while he played soccer as a kid, he was “never that great” at sports, but that being on a team was foundational to his growth as an astronaut.
“When you’re on the field, you’re giving it your all, and that’s something that I have used my entire life. Sports is a great outlet for that, and we’ll see that on the pitch today.”
- Phil Tsekouras, CTV News Toronto Journalist
8:45 a.m. – ‘We are so ready’: Chow
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says the city is more than prepared to host the games, noting that the Taylor Swift concerts in 2024 and the Blue Jays World Series run in 2025 served as good templates.
“We are so ready,” she said.
“We had hundreds of thousands of people all in one area…we had a central command centre, which means that everything is coordinated, and that worked well.”
Chow said the city has brought back that command centre for the World Cup where transit, police, and firefighters will be able to coordinate in one place.
- Phil Tsekouras, CTV News Toronto Journalist
8:40 a.m. – Matchday weather forecast
Toronto should see sunny skies and summer-like conditions this afternoon.
CP24 Meteorologist Bill Coulter says that while there is the potential for an “isolated drip or drop” of precipitation in some parts of the city this morning, the skies will be clear well ahead of 3 p.m.
Coulter said that the humidity should also ease off by kickoff, though the temperature will still likely hover around a summer-like 28 C.
“What we will get into is some gustier winds. That is going to be displacing that hot humid air and bringing in very warm but more comfortable air. So we are feeling close to 30 later this morning and we will feel in the high 20s (at kickoff), which will be much closer to the actual temperature this afternoon,” he said.
Coulter added that “any lingering cloud will become partly cloudy to mainly clear by the time the game gets underway.“
“Everything is boding really well and hopefully that is a good sign that Canada is going to win this one against Bosnia too,” Coulter said.
- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer for CP24 and CTV News Toronto
8:30 a.m. – Here is how to take the TTC to today’s match
TTC spokesperson Susan Nguyen says that service has been ramped up on a number of key routes to get fans to and from today’s game.
Nguyen says the closest transit stop to Toronto Stadium is the temporary Fleet Hub, which is roughly a 10-minute walk from the stadium and a five-minute walk from the FIFA Fan Fest at Fort York and the Bentway.
She said that fans can get to the transit hub by taking the 509 Harbourfront streetcar from Union Station, the 509 Bathurst streetcar from Bathurst Station or the 809 Fleet express bus from St. Andrew Station, which has been added specifically for the World Cup.
Nguyen said that while there are “no delays anywhere” on the TTC at the moment, fans should still leave extra time to get to today’s game.
“The bottom line is we have plenty of service and lots of options. Just choose a ride and we will get you there,” she said.
- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer for CP24 and CTV News Toronto
8 a.m. – The Voyageurs planning largest march ever
Team Canada’s travelling supporters group, The Voyageurs, says it’s planning for the biggest march in its history today.
Andrew Anthony told CTV’s Your Morning on Friday that the group is planning to meet at Trinity Bellwoods Park for 10:30 a.m. before marching to Toronto Stadium at Exhibition Place.
“We’re hoping for our largest turnout ever. And then, you know, we’re going to be loud, we’re going to be proud, and you know, hopefully cheer on our national team to a win.”
- Phil Tsekouras, CTV News Toronto Journalist
7:45 a.m. – Bosnia ‘very difficult to beat’: Former Canada captain
Former Team Canada captain Jason de Voss spoke about the Bosnia and Herzegovina squad and what they’ll bring to the pitch on Friday.
“Bosnia is a little bit of a surprise. I think a lot of people thought that Italy would win that playoff final,” he said, referencing the European playoffs that sent the Balkan county to Toronto.
But he said the Bosnians shouldn’t be underestimated as they’re “very difficult” to play against.
“They’re a big team, they’re a strong team. So, Canada first has to stand up to that, and then control the tempo of the game and dictate that.”
De Voss was the captain of Team Canada from 1999 to 2004 and now works as a soccer analyst on TSN.
- Phil Tsekouras, CTV News Toronto Journalist
7:30 a.m. – ‘This is everything’: Dwayne De Rosario
Canadian soccer legend and FIFA World Cup Ambassador Dwayne De Rosario says he “can’t believe” that kickoff is only hours away, describing the moment as surreal.
“This is everything…this is every child’s dream. This was my dream...Those players are living our dream, but the legacy that this moment is going to create, the way the sport has been elevated in front of every news channel, in front of every paper, the sport is at the heights that we’ve never seen before in this country,” he told CTV’s Your Morning Friday.
The Scarborough native played for Team Canada between 1998 and 2015, appearing in the red and white 81 times during those years. Before that, he played for Canada’s under 23 and under 20 programs.
Now retired, De Roasario was the country’s all-time leading goal scorer with 22 goals in 81 matches, until current Canada squad member Cyle Larin eclipsed that record in 2022.
“I wish I was on that pitch. You know, this is an amazing moment. This is like a dream come true. And you know, I’m just looking forward to today. My kids will be here, they’re going to be inspired. What this means for us is remarkable. And I’m wishing these guys all the best. And it’s going to be an electric day today.”
- Phil Tsekouras, CTV News Toronto Journalist
