Here’s the latest news on the opening day of the 2026 World Cup

1:25 p.m.

The City of Vancouver has officially opened its World Cup pedestrian zone running down Granville Street, through the centre of the downtown core. Selfie stations, interactive games, an art zone and a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community cover the blocks-long zone. Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim told a small crowd that the atmosphere during the games so far has been “absolutely alive,” and businesses in the area will reap the benefits. The car-free area is bordered by waist-high safety bollards and giant concrete blocks painted pink to ensure pedestrian protection after a vehicle ramming in the city last year where 11 were killed.

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1:20 p.m.

A few thousand early-bird fans are getting their money’s worth at Toronto Stadium, arriving well ahead of kickoff for the full pre-game experience. Some blue Bosnian colours were sprinkled in among the Canadian red shirts as the sunshine poured in on a glorious spring afternoon. A breeze made things more comfortable as the temperature hovered around 25 C. The sidelines were busy as photographers and broadcast crews set up for the match. Security guards in fluorescent vests, stationed about two metres apart along the perimeter of the pitch, watched the crowd at the 43,000-seat venue.

12:40 p.m.

Things are going well at Toronto Stadium entrances. There is a bit of a wait at the gates but fans are entering easily after moving through security checkpoints. FIFA volunteers are helping fans with directions and Toronto police officers are patrolling around the stadium. Fans in red are arriving from all parts of the Greater Toronto Area — and from across the country.

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12:32 p.m.

Thousands of fans are pouring into Toronto Stadium ahead of Canada’s FIFA World Cup opener against Bosnia-Herzegovina, with supporters from both countries filling the area around the venue. Canada’s Voyageurs supporters group marched from Trinity Bellwoods Park while Bosnia fans gathered at Stanley Park as pre-match celebrations spread across the city. At the FIFA Fan Festival at Fort York, supporters waved flags, sang and celebrated as the city embraced the tournament atmosphere. The match is the first FIFA World Cup game played on Canadian soil.

11 a.m.

The buildup is underway ahead of Canada’s World Cup opener against Bosnia-Herzegovina at Toronto Stadium. Bosnia supporters are gathering at Stanley Park before their March to the Match, while Canada’s Voyageurs are marching from Trinity Bellwoods Park. The supporter marches are a soccer tradition before major international matches. Canada faces Bosnia-Herzegovina at 3 p.m. in its first-ever World Cup game on home soil.

10:18 a.m.

Bosnia-Herzegovina’s World Cup supporters have turned a satirical song about chasing the American Dream into an unlikely soccer anthem. The viral remake of Dubioza Kolektiv’s “USA” has become a rallying cry for the underdog nation ahead of Friday’s match against Canada.

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9:22 a.m.

Commuters in Toronto reported an unusually quiet rush hour Friday morning, with lighter crowds on subways and GO Transit trains as many workers appeared to heed warnings about World Cup-related congestion in the downtown core. The city had encouraged employers to allow remote work and adjust schedules where possible, while the Ontario government says managers can approve temporary work-from-home requests for public servants during daytime FIFA World Cup matches. Transit officials had warned of increased crowds and delays as Toronto hosts World Cup events expected to draw hundreds of thousands of visitors.

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8:45 a.m.

Canada kicks off its first-ever FIFA World Cup match on home soil at 3 p.m. ET, taking on Bosnia-Herzegovina at Toronto Stadium. The Canadians are looking for their first World Cup win after going winless in their appearances in 1986 and 2022. Alphonso Davies remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, but defender Moïse Bombito is available after recovering from a broken leg.

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8:45 a.m.

The United States opens its World Cup campaign tonight (9 p.m.) against Paraguay, looking to build on four knockout-round appearances in its last six tournaments. Led by coach Mauricio Pochettino and star forward Christian Pulisic, the 17th-ranked Americans are favoured against No. 41 Paraguay, which is back at the World Cup for the first time since 2010. Mexico opened the tournament yesterday with a 2-0 win over South Africa, while South Korea rallied past the Czech Republic 2-1 in the nightcap. 

With files from The Associated Press.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 12, 2026.

The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

Here’s the latest news on the opening day of the 2026 World Cup

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