Iraqi and Senegalese soccer fans are set to take over the streets of downtown Toronto, as the city hosts its last group-stage match of the FIFA World Cup today.
Fans are expected to pack Toronto Stadium this afternoon to watch Senegal and Iraq face off, with both teams clinging to faint hopes of reaching the knockout round.
Senegal’s fan march is set to start at 10 a.m. from Trinity Bellwoods Park, while Iraqi fans are marching at 11 a.m. from Stanley Park to the stadium.
While Senegal has made some mistakes so far, fan Eli Emmanuel Manga is hopeful the team will prove all the doubters wrong today with a victory. He said Senegal is a young team full of talent and hungry for a win.
“We’re going to go as fast as a lion, just waiting for a meal to take home,” he told CBC Radio’s Metro Morning. “I think Senegal is prepared. They’re not just here to participate.”
If Senegal is hungry, then Iraq is ravenous for a win during their first World Cup appearance in 40 years, said fan Joseph Zayouna. He said it’s crazy to have his home country play in Toronto.
“Just to see Iraq play in Canada is unbelievable,” he said, adding he’s expecting thousands of Iraqi Canadians, and even some from overseas, to show up for the march.
Toronto received fans from across the world
City officials have said Toronto has “truly welcomed the world” during the international soccer competition, and visitors have shared stories online highlighting the warmth, diversity and hospitality they experienced.
Toronto police, meanwhile, have said security and safety have been overall satisfactory given the sheer number of people visiting the city during the tournament.
They say 20 people, including four foreign visitors, have been arrested in incidents related to World Cup events, and another 17 people have been charged under Canadian Aviation Regulations for flying a drone near World Cup events in the city since June 10.
The last two weeks have also gone well for some local businesses.
Cafe Diplomatico, a popular destination for soccer watch parties, has seen an influx of customers during the World Cup even though two of the teams with the biggest local fan bases — Italy and Chile — didn’t qualify, said co-owner Rocco Mastrangelo.
“I find it that it’s definitely helping business, like it would if it was Copa America and Euro Cup in ’24,” he said, adding it’s hard to say how many of those who pack into the restaurant to watch games throughout the day are tourists.
Mastrangelo said he expects the restaurant will only get busier as the tournament advances to its final stages.
“Obviously if Canada goes far and Portugal goes far, it would be a lot better for us,” he said.
“But as the games get more important and the tournament gets more interesting … a sports fan is a sports fan, they’ll watch soccer.”
Destination Toronto said the World Cup has drawn a different mix of visitors to the city this month.
“Our modelling suggested that more than half of the ticket holders across Toronto’s six matches would come from international markets, and four matches in, the atmosphere in the city reflects that,” President and CEO Andrew Weir said in a statement.
Toronto will also host one knockout stage game on July 2, with the matchup still to be determined.