What to know
- The first FIFA match is less than a week away, and excitement is building across Toronto.
- Fans are planning everything from attending games to hitting up bars to hosting home-viewing parties.
- Major fan zones and official FIFA activations are expected to draw big crowds.
- Even tourists are soaking in the city’s World Cup buzz, eager to join the festivities wherever they are.
The first FIFA match is in less than a week; here’s what Torontonians are planning to do on game day.
With numerous activations, fan fest and watch parties, soccer fans are hyped for FIFA.
From watch parties to staying home and putting the game on TV, here’s what soccer fans are doing during the first match.
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- From FIFA activations to hidden gems: 5 must-visit photo booths in Toronto this summer
What are soccer fans doing at the first FIFA game?
Toronto resident Jose O. is one of the lucky soccer fans who managed to get FIFA tickets.
“I’ll be here in the city. I will be going to a game,” he beamingly told Now Toronto, adding that he’s attending the Croatia-Panama match to be exact.
For the rest of the games, he’ll be going to pubs or watching from home with family.
“I think it’s going to be interesting. It’s always interesting. It’s going to be exciting, and well, I like football,” Jose said.
Toronto resident Anu L. isn’t able to attend a game, but will be keeping in touch with the matches by going to bars.
“I work around the exhibition area, there’s a lot of bars and stuff, so I’m just planning to watch them anywhere around where I really can,” he told Now Toronto.
Specifically, he’s hoping to go to Fox and John’s.
Anu’s hoping Ronaldo wins the World Cup, and is looking forward to the FIFA atmosphere.
“Toronto’s going to be packed, and the World Cup’s in Canada. So, it can’t go wrong,” Anu said.
Tourist Carlin P. from Atlanta is super hyped to be in the city right now.
“It’s fun to see all the FIFA stuff around, and we’ve never been to Toronto before, so it’s just been a fun experience for us all around,” she told Now Toronto.
Unfortunately, she’s returning to Atlanta before the World Cup begins and will watch the game from home and at bars with friends and family.
“We’re from the U.S., so we’re watching them play, but I honestly love watching all the teams play. I played soccer growing up, so I love FIFA,” Carlin said.
