Canada welcomes World Cup fans as hosts prepare for historic first match in Toronto

Canada is hosting its first World Cup match, with Toronto set to stage the co-hosts' Group B opener against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday. Thousands of fans have arrived in the city, drawn by more than just football. Some, like a group of 20-year-old Scots, chose Toronto because of its lower drinking age compared to the United States; others came to honour family memories or cheer for their ancestral homelands. The mood was not dampened by unsold tickets, high prices, or a rain-soaked fan festival that was abruptly shut down.

Fans find reasons beyond football

For a group of seven Scottish supporters roaming near the CN Tower, Toronto was a stopover on the way to Boston, where Scotland play Haiti. "We are here in Toronto because of cheap flights, and we cannot drink in America because we are 20-year-olds," said Bryden, dressed in tartan. They planned to enjoy pints before heading south, where the drinking age is 21.

“We are here in Toronto because of cheap flights, and we cannot drink in America because we are 20-year-olds.”

A Canadian citizen originally from Bosnia, Irfan, brought his two children from Ottawa to watch his homeland play. He called it a historic day for his country. In Vancouver, German fan Harold attended the tournament in tribute to his late father, who was fond of the city. "I paid $150. That's a lot of money for a football match, but I got lucky to get tickets at this price," he said. Australian Mark Wright, at his fifth World Cup, insisted that cost mattered little: "It’s about following my country and my team, and spending time with my family."

High costs and an early disruption

Ticket prices have drawn criticism. Toronto fan Patrick Cicvak paid C$1,300 ($930) hoping to watch Canada face Italy, only to see Italy fail to qualify. "But that means we won’t have the Italian crowd fighting against (fans from) the opposite team and more support for Canada," he said. On Thursday, city officials shut down an opening-night fan festival during the Mexico-South Africa match because of storm warnings, but supporters simply moved into bars and public areas.

Soccer’s rise and a key absence

Soccer has surpassed hockey in youth participation in Canada, according to a report by charity Jumpstart, and the tournament is seen as a chance to deepen that connection. Canada coach Jesse Marsch said he has "felt a real momentum behind this team and behind this moment." However, star defender Alphonso Davies was ruled out of the opener as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury sustained on May 6. Marsch remains hopeful Davies can return later in the group stage.

“Canada has become more and more multicultural, and I think the excitement for so many different nations to be here in North America and in Canada... there's real excitement behind what this will be.”

Results so far and what’s next

The tournament began with Mexico beating South Africa 2-0 in a fiery clash that produced three red cards. South Korea then came from behind to beat the Czech Republic 2-1 in Guadalajara, with substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu scoring the winner. Canada’s campaign starts Friday evening in Toronto, while Saturday brings the USA’s opener against Paraguay and Australia’s clash with Turkey in Vancouver. The expanded 48-team format means the top two from each group plus the eight best third-placed sides reach the first-ever round of 32.