7 best moments from the FIFA World Cup in Toronto

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has officially come and gone in Toronto.

Over six matches, the city welcomed 10 national teams and some of the biggest stars in soccer to Toronto Stadium.

Although Toronto hosted just one knockout-stage match, it turned out to be one of the tournament's best games, potentially being the final meeting between two of the sport's all-time greats: Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modrić.

But some of the tournament's most memorable moments happened away from the pitch. Here's a recap of our favourite seven Toronto memories from the last month:

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with Toronto fans at his hotel after Portugal's win

Ronaldo's visit to Toronto felt like a dream come true for Portuguese-Canadians.

Everywhere Portugal went, the supporters followed. Thousands greeted them at the airport, lined the streets during their motorcade, and gathered outside the team's downtown Delta Toronto hotel.

Toronto ❤️ pic.twitter.com/AoxUJ0mZcB

— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) July 3, 2026

After beating Croatia to advance to the Round of 16, hundreds of Portuguese fans gathered outside the hotel, chanting and cheering so loudly that they eventually received a visit from Ronaldo himself.

That moment Ghanaian royalty took over Sankofa Square

Toronto had welcomed its fair share of celebrities during the FIFA World Cup, but there was royalty in attendance for Ghana's opening game against Panama.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the King of Ghana's Ashanti Kingdom, visited Toronto for the game and the official opening of the Ghana Sports Village at Sankofa Square, the recently renamed public square with Ghanaian roots (formerly Yonge-Dundas Square).

Ghana takes over Sankofa Square to welcome their King to the city.

Ghana faces Panama 7pm tonight at Toronto Stadium pic.twitter.com/D9TGnwa3nv

— Gilbert Ngabo (@dugilbo) June 17, 2026

After Ghana defeated Panama, hundreds of supporters made their way back to Sankofa Square, despite it being nowhere near the stadium, and celebrated until the early morning.

Germany's late-game heroics against the Ivory Coast

The biggest group-stage match in Toronto on paper, between Germany and the Ivory Coast, lived up to the hype.

After the Ivory Coast took an early 1-0 lead, Germany scored two late goals off the foot of Deniz Undav, which sent the 40,000 German supporters at Toronto Stadium into a frenzy.

Portugal's coach gives Toronto Stadium a glowing review

Toronto Stadium was on the receiving end of a lot of hate for being the smallest of the 16 FIFA World Cup host venues, especially since it was hosting the biggest Round of 32 clash between Croatia and Portugal.

Still, the atmosphere delivered, and Portugal coach Roberto Martínez recognized that.

Following Portugal's 2-1 win over Croatia, Martinez said it's a shame that there are no more matches in Toronto.

"The quality of the grass was fantastic, and everything around it," he continued. "Beautiful facilities here, even the dressing room, it reminds me a lot of old-fashioned Premier League grounds, a wonderful feel, a wonderful feel," he said.

Bosnian fans take over the city tour bus

One of the best parts of hosting the World Cup was watching visiting fans experience Toronto for the first time.

Supporters from all over the world packed attractions like the CN Tower, Ripley's Aquarium of Canada and the city's hop-on, hop-off sightseeing buses.

A group of Bosnia and Herzegovina supporters from a Sarajevo travel company stole the show, though, transforming the top deck of a tour bus into a rolling FIFA World Cup party as they sang and waved flags down Yonge Street.

Canada's men's national team scores its first-ever goal on home soil

Canadian soccer fans did not have to wait long to witness history during Canada's opening match vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto.

Brampton's own Cyle Larin drove a ball into the bottom corner in the 78th minute to score the team's first goal at this home FIFA World Cup. The moment will be etched in the history books as the team's first tournament goal on home soil.

Cyle Larin scored the first goal for Canada at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Toronto. (Fareen Karim)

The fan marches

If there's one thing Toronto completely nailed during the FIFA World Cup, it was the fan marches.

Several hours before each match, thousands of supporters marched from destinations around the city to Toronto Stadium—singing, chanting and waving their national flags.

@blogto Portugal fans SHOWED UP 👏🇵🇹 Fans flood the streets of Toronto ahead of the match against Croatia 🇭🇷 #Toronto #WorldCup #WorldCup2026 #FIFA ♬ original sound - blogTO

Some stood out more than others, specifically Portugal, Iraq, Panama, and Canada (of course), but every march had its own personality.

Each march turned what were typically traffic-gridlocked streets into a giant celebration of football. They were loved so much that it became one of the defining things for Toronto during this FIFA World Cup.