Despite the city’s heat warning, the streets and sidewalks are still filled with supporters wearing Portugal and Croatia jerseys, waving flags, chanting and honking horns across the GTA as they make their way down to one of the biggest sporting events the city has hosted.
The energy early in the day was impossible to ignore.
For some, the biggest story wasn’t what would happen during the game. It was the atmosphere of two widely spread cultures clashing that has already taken over their city.
“I think it’s huge for the city, especially the country. I think there’s a huge Portuguese culture, and there’s also a huge Croatian culture here in Toronto. I think they’re both going to show up for both players, Luka [Modrić] and [Cristiano] Ronaldo.” one fan said to Now Toronto in Liberty Village.
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Others echoed that sentiment, describing the excitement as something that extended well beyond the stadium gates.
“The vibes have been great here. Like, Portuguese and Croatians have been so friendly to each other, we just went out with a bunch of Portuguese guys, and we’ve all been just like embracing the importance of this game for both cultures.”
The feeling was shared by many fans. While Toronto has seen big sporting events like this before, from the 2019 Toronto Raptors NBA Championship to the Toronto Blue Jays playoff run last season, supporters say today carries a unique energy because of soccer’s ability to bring people together from different cultures and backgrounds. Over the last few weeks since the FIFA World Cup’s kick off in the city, Toronto has been filled with conversations being spoken in different languages, flags from around the world in every corner and the loud, exciting chants spread by supporters.
“This sport brings everyone together… we forget about everything that’s happening in the world, and this game brings everyone together, forget everything else,” another fan shared.
As kickoff approaches at 7 p.m. tonight at Toronto Stadium, the crowds will only grow louder.
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The final result will become yet another stamp in FIFA history. Fans will remember the goals, the saves and surely the long-awaited showdown between Luka Modrić and Cristiano Ronaldo. Most importantly, fans will remember Toronto feeling like the centre of the football world, even just for one day.
