The hype is officially real! 🌟 With just over a month to go before the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off, Toronto just had the ultimate vibe check. This past Saturday, BMO Field turned into a sea of excitement as fans flocked to see the legendary Lionel Messi and Inter Miami in action.
It wasn't just a game; it was a massive dress rehearsal. Toronto FC recorded their largest-ever attendance at BMO Field, with a staggering 44,828 fans packing the stands. While Inter Miami walked away with a 4-2 win, the real victory was for the city's infrastructure. The match gave officials a chance to test the services and amenities to ensure everything is smooth when the world descends on Toronto for six World Cup matches. 🏟️✨
To get ready for the big stage, the stadium underwent a whopping $158 million facelift. This upgrade included 17,000 new temporary seats behind the goals, which were used for the first time during this record-breaking clash. Talk about a glow-up! 💅
So, what's next on the calendar? Mark your dates from June 11 to July 19. Toronto is expecting more than 300,000 visitors to bring the energy to the city. Canada will launch their campaign against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Group B on June 12, while also facing 2022 hosts Qatar and a tough Switzerland squad in Vancouver. 🇨🇦⚽️
And for the football purists, the excitement doesn't stop there. Heavyweights like four-time champions Germany and 2022 bronze medalists Croatia are also scheduled to play a group-stage match right here in Toronto. Get your jerseys ready—the countdown is on! 🌍💬
Reference(s):
Toronto's stadium hosts record crowd in dress rehearsal for World Cup
cgtn.com
