Toronto is hosting its sixth and final match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup today, featuring a historic contest between Portugal and Croatia. The game, which kicks off at 7:00 PM ET, is being held at BMO Field.
This matchup could mark the final World Cup appearance for two prominent soccer figures. Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who plays his club soccer for Al-Nassr, has indicated that this will be his last World Cup. Croatia‘s Luka Modrić is also reportedly considering retirement after this tournament.
Ronaldo, who has previously played for Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus, is the only player in history to score in six different World Cups, having made his debut in 2006. Modrić is appearing in his fifth World Cup.
Portugal, ranked eighth globally by FIFA, is considered the favourite for tonight’s game, while Croatia is ranked 13th. Croatia has a strong recent World Cup history, finishing runner-up in 2018 and third in 2022.
Fan Gatherings and Road Closures
Excitement for the match has led to significant fan activity across Toronto. Thousands of Portugal supporters gathered in Stanley Park ahead of an official fan march scheduled for 4 p.m. The march proceeded from Stanley Park to Coronation Park, with fans painting the streets red and green.
Road closures are in effect to manage the large crowds. King Street West and Strachan Avenue were closed during the march. Additionally, Bremner Boulevard between Lower Simcoe and York streets, and Grand Truck Crescent between Lower Simcoe Street and Bremner Boulevard, were closed due to pedestrian traffic around the Portugal team hotel. Fans were seen outside the hotel hoping to catch a glimpse of Ronaldo and the team.
The city has also closed several major roads surrounding Toronto Stadium and the FIFA Fan Festival. Lake Shore Boulevard is shut down from British Columbia Road to Bathurst Street, and all streets between Lake Shore and the Gardiner Expressway from Dufferin to Bathurst are also closed. Strachan Avenue and Dufferin Street are also affected, with closures expected to lift at midnight.
Impact of Extreme Heat
Due to extreme heat conditions, the City of Toronto cancelled its FIFA World Cup broadcast at Nathan Phillips Square for today. Environment Canada issued an orange heat warning for the city, with maximum temperatures expected between 34 and 37 C.
The cancellation was made to safely manage large crowds at fan marches, Toronto Stadium, and the FIFA Fan Festival Toronto, given the resources required in such conditions. Despite the cancellation of the public broadcast, establishments in Little Portugal on Dundas Street West are showing the game.
Organizers of the FIFA Toronto Fan Festival are providing tips for attendees to manage the heat, including bringing plastic water bottles for refilling at water stations and utilizing misting stations. Medical staff are also on site.
Match Expectations and Predictions
Portugal manager Roberto Martinez noted the familiarity between the two teams, stating, “Croatia is a team we know very well. They also know our strengths and our talent, so it will be a competitive match.”
Some fans, like Fabio and Nicholas, drove hours from Leamington, Ont., just to experience the atmosphere, despite not having tickets to the match itself. They expressed hope for a Portugal victory.
Predictions from various sources suggest a close contest. Some anticipate a Portugal win, while others believe Croatia could prevail, potentially in a penalty shootout. The match will be broadcast live on TSN.ca and the TSN App.
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Source: cp24.com
Chloe Tremblay is the Sports Reporter at CasinoNews, covering basketball, tennis and athletics with nine years of reporting experience. She reported on the Raptors' rise and two Olympic cycles. She holds a degree in Journalism from Concordia University. Based in Montreal, she plays recreational basketball and follows track athletics. “The best stories come from the athletes everyone overlooks.”
