Fans rally in Toronto as Panama and Croatia get ready to face off at World Cup
Written by The Canadian Press on June 23, 2026
TORONTO — Thousands of Panama and Croatia fans are marching through Toronto as the two teams get ready to face off in the World Cup tonight.
Panama fans hit the pavement this afternoon, cheering from Trinity Bellwoods park to BMO Field, renamed Toronto Stadium during the soccer tournament.
Meanwhile, Croatia fans are gearing up for their 5:30 p.m. march from the Toronto Event Centre, which they’ve temporarily dubbed “Croatia House,” to the venue.
The Ontario government says more than 100,000 people of Croatian descent live in the province, which it says is the largest Croatian population in Canada.
Both teams need a win tonight: Panama lost its 1-0 opening match to Ghana, and England beat Croatia 4-2.
Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 23, 2026.
The Canadian Press