Historic World Cup match at Toronto Stadium ‘the best moment’ for soccer fans

TORONTO — The historic first FIFA World Cup match on Canadian soil saw thousands of excited soccer fans fill Toronto Stadium on Friday as Canada came away with a 1-1 draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The Bosnians got their goal in the 21st minute on Jovo Lukic’s header off a corner. But after multiple chances to even the score, Canada answered back at the 78th minute with a goal from second-half substitute Cyle Larin to the sound of roars from the stands.

The crowd of more than 43,000 were a strong voice at the temporarily rebranded BMO Field, many wearing red and white jerseys and carrying Canadian flags, while others sported Bosnia’s blue and yellow.

Wearing maple leaf-shaped sunglasses with red and white face paint, superfan Dan Calderone, of Aurora, Ont., said he believed Canada deserved to win but called it an “amazing game.”

“It was the best moment of my life, to be honest,” Calderone said after the match. “I hate when games end in a draw like that … but I’m happy either way.”

Akili Sylvester, who held up a Canadian flag as he and other fans filed out of the venue, said he was excited about a tie as he was initially worried about facing off against a good team like Bosnia-Herzegovina.

“I spoke to a lot of Bosnian people and every one of them were super nice,” he said with a smile on his face.

Bosnia-Herzegovina fan Dino Kanlic, who drove more than 1,000 kilometres from St. Louis to Toronto for the game, said the draw was “the best result” for both teams.

“I think it’s a good thing to build on,” he said outside the stadium. “Everybody’s so welcoming, everything is so lovely … I love Canada. It’s a great place. I’m really glad we came.”

The atmosphere inside the stadium was welcoming and jubilant for the most part, although Toronto police say two people were arrested and two officers sustained minor injuries after altercations in the stands before kickoff.

There was plenty of security and police on site, but crowds appeared to enter and exit the stadium relatively smoothly.

Before the game began, artists including Alessia Cara and Michael Buble opened the ceremony, and actor Will Arnett welcomed the fans. Crowds filled the seats and roared with applause as some of Canada’s players took the field to warm up.

Canadian fans sang the national anthem with smiles on their faces as Alanis Morissette led the song just moments before kickoff.

Superfan Daniel Klik, of Mississauga, Ont., said he got tickets to the opening game in February and has been looking forward to it ever since.

“I feel it’s very important to wear the jersey to support Canada,” he said before the match. “Everyone here is really excited for the game.”

Fans who already spent hundreds, if not thousands, to attend the game also ran up high bills at the stadium’s food and beverage stations. Specialty cocktails with 1.5 ounces of alcohol are selling for $25. A domestic beer — 473-millilitre size — goes for $16.75 and a nine-ounce glass of wine is $26.25.

A 591-millilitre bottle of water costs $7, and a 500-millilitre sports drink is $10. Chicken nachos and brisket nachos cost $23, 50 cents more than an Italian trio deli sandwich with chips.

Merchandise booth lineups were long, with Canada soccer jerseys selling for $160 and scarves going for $63.

Bosnia-Herzegovina fan Benjamin Sahacic said he came to Toronto from Boston on Thursday night with his wife and three kids to watch Friday’s game. Canadians have been “super friendly and hospitable” during their visit, he said.

“It’s a special occasion for all of us Bosnians who have dreamed of this day,” he said. “We appreciate the opportunity to come to Canada.”

Ahead of the match, many fans also took part in marches — a soccer tradition before major international games — and Bosnia supporters gathered at Stanley Park while Canada’s Voyageurs marched from Trinity Bellwoods Park.

Fans also came together at watch parties across the province, including at the FIFA Fan Festival in Fort York, which was cut short on Thursday after rainy weather.

Canada will now head to Vancouver for group-stage games against Qatar on Thursday and Switzerland on June 24.

This year’s World Cup is the biggest in FIFA’s history, and it’s being jointly hosted by Canada, the United States and Mexico until July 19.

Toronto Stadium is hosting six games. The venue’s second match will feature Ghana against Panama on Wednesday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 12, 2026.

Maan Alhmidi and Rianna Lim, The Canadian Press