Canada's World Cup Opener Kicks Off Today at 3 p.m.
Toronto hosts its first-ever FIFA match as Canada takes on Bosnia-Herzegovina. Here's what you need to know about crowds, transit, and weather.
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Canada's first men's FIFA World Cup match gets underway Friday at 3 p.m. at Toronto Stadium, with Bosnia-Herzegovina as the opponent. The city is hosting six matches total this tournament, making it a significant moment for Canadian soccer and Toronto's international profile.
Before kickoff, a pre-match ceremony will feature Alanis Morissette singing the national anthem, followed by performances from Michael Bublé, Alessia Cara, Jessie Reyez, William Prince and Sanjoy.
Expect significant crowds downtown. The FIFA Fan Festival is open (mostly free) and will run for 22 non-consecutive days through July 19. Popular bars like Hemingway's & The Pilot, Elephant and Castle, The Queen & Beaver Public House and The Dock Ellis will show all matches — it's worth calling ahead as some venues may require minimum spends or credit card reservations.
Road closures are in effect around Toronto Stadium and the fan fest, including a major section of the waterfront. The city expects congestion to peak between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on match days. There's no parking at the stadium or fan fest; ride-hailing and taxi drop-off zones are designated nearby. A two-kilometre clean zone surrounds the stadium, where promotional materials competing with FIFA partners are prohibited.
Weather could be a factor: a 40 per cent chance of afternoon showers is in the forecast. Thursday's Fan Fest was cancelled mid-game due to lightning risk, so the city and organizers will be monitoring conditions closely. The city has expanded transit service to handle crowds, and the TTC is ramping up service for fans heading to the stadium.