FIFA Fan Fest scrambles to show Netherlands-Sweden match after fan outcry

The Netherlands vs. Sweden match, the first World Cup game on Saturday, June 20, was not initially scheduled to air on the giant screens at FIFA Fan Fest in downtown Toronto — leaving visiting fans frustrated and confused.

The match kicked off at noon ET from Houston. According to the Toronto FIFA Fan Fest website, it was not part of that day's broadcast schedule.

"We come in, and then we find out they're only showing certain games at FIFA fan zone, which makes no sense," one fan told CityNews. "I've been to Mexico, I've been to Dallas, and all their fan zones appeared to show every game, so why would the FIFA fan zone (in Toronto) not show their own games? It doesn't make any sense at all."

Another attendee noted that Swedish and Dutch fans had come specifically to watch their team. "They're stuck now because once you've entered the fan zone, you can leave, but then you can't get back in again later," the fan said.

CityNews reached out to the City of Toronto asking why the Netherlands-Sweden match wasn't airing. A few minutes after the inquiry was sent, the game became available on the fan zone's big screens. Officials later said the games scheduled to air at the fan zone are listed on their website — though the Netherlands-Sweden match was not initially part of that schedule on Saturday but was added afterwards.

Later that day, thousands of cheerful soccer fans filled BMO Field to watch Germany face Ivory Coast. Supporters of the four-time FIFA World Cup champion waved German flags on one side of the stadium, while Ivorians in orange jerseys danced on the other. Long lines formed outside the gates ahead of the historic matchup.