Germany faces Ivory Coast for Toronto’s 3rd FIFA World Cup match
Written by The Canadian Press on June 20, 2026
TORONTO — Thousands of cheerful soccer fans filled the stadium to watch the matchup between Germany and Ivory Coast in the third game hosted by Toronto.
Supporters of the four-time FIFA World Cup winner waved Germany’s flags on one side of BMO Field, while Ivorians wearing orange jerseys danced and cheered on the other side of the stadium. Long lines formed outside the gates ahead of the historic game.
Aurelie Kpakpo, a Toronto resident, said she came to the stadium to support Ivory Coast.
“Everything is amazing, there is so much fun going on in the city and it is just the best,” she said, wearing an Ivorian jersey with an Ivory Coast flag draped on her shoulder.
Kpakpo was joined by her mother and brother who came from France for the World Cup.
“Today, we’re here to win, and this is the best feeling ever, and I am so excited that the game is here in Toronto,” a jubilant Kpakpo said.
German fan Anna Kotman, who came from Germany for the World Cup, said it felt “awesome” to be at the stadium.
“Toronto is a great city, weather is great, people are great,” she said in an interview outside BMO Field, putting on Germany’s white jersey.
“I am very excited to see Germany playing here in a big city, great stadium and, yeah, let’s hope for a win.”
Before the game, Toronto’s waterfront was a sea of black, red and yellow as rapturous German fans marched toward the stadium ahead of the tilt.
Flags bobbed atop a roaring sea of fans who chanted in unison to the team’s high-energy anthem, “Super Deutschland olé!”.
Anja Duess wore a flower crown of Germany’s colours and a beaming smile as she prepared to set out on the march.
A German transplant who has lived in Toronto for more than 20 years, Duess said Saturday’s atmosphere was unlike anything she’d seen before.
“It’s just such an amazing experience. Soccer has really ignited some new passion in Toronto, and in Canada overall,” said Duess, who was set to take in the match from the fan festival.
Sun and mostly clear skies shone on an estimated 5,000 people who took part in the festive march, police estimated.
A pair of fans from Cologne, Germany, carrying a replica World Cup trophy praised the Toronto hospitality and appeared only mildly let down by the interdiction against drinking on the street.
“The atmosphere is very good but it’s too less beer,” said Alex Manek with a grin.
Dozens of Ivory Coast fans waited outside their favourite team’s hotel in Toronto’s downtown core before players boarded a bus to go to the stadium.
Pierre Amani, who flew from Ivory Coast to watch the game in Toronto and then in Philadelphia, said he is thrilled to support his team.
“I think it is going to be a historic day because I know we are going to win against Germany…it is going to be a tough game today,” he said.
The Ivorians opened the tournament with a 1-0 win over Ecuador, while Germany routed Curaçao 7-1 in its first match.
Ivory Coast players arrived in Toronto with striker Elye Wahi after the 23-year-old was cleared to enter Canada, a boost for the team.
There had been uncertainty over his availability for today’s match because he is under investigation in France for alleged betting-related offences.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 20, 2026.
Sharif Hassan, The Canadian Press