FIFA World Cup 2026: Vancouver Hosts Seven Matches

[officedweller]

Granville St.

The Simons hoarding was pared back to allow more sidewalk space between it and the bus shelter.

Pic by me today:

[C3YVR]

Currently I'm in Brussels but I've been travelling Europe for the last couple weeks and you can really feel World Cup excitement building. I've got another week here before returning and it will be interesting to see if that same energy develops in Vancouver.

[giallo]

A few shots along Granville yesterday. Lots of new patios. I'm definitely going to watch a game or two on Granville to support the local bars there. They've had a tough go of it.

[officedweller]

The diagonal pennant strings make a better impact than the longitudinal ones.

[Zepfancouver]

A C-17 just landed at YVR 5 minutes ago...Googled..."Two Qatar Emiri Air Force Boeing C-17 Globemaster III cargo jets were deployed to Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Arriving from London Stansted, the strategic transport planes were tasked with hauling personnel, armoured vehicles, and specialized cargo related to the FIFA World Cup matches being hosted in the region"
It looks like we will see our first Level 4 Police Escort across the Burrard Street Bridge into Downtown Vancouver? I am assuming Qatar are playing in Vancouver and a Prince brought their convoy procession in that C-17?

Canada vs Qatar - World Cup - Match 27 (Group B)
BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, BC
Thu, Jun 18 at 3:00 PM

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by Zepfancouver

A C-17 just landed at YVR 5 minutes ago...Googled..."Two Qatar Emiri Air Force Boeing C-17 Globemaster III cargo jets were deployed to Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Arriving from London Stansted, the strategic transport planes were tasked with hauling personnel, armoured vehicles, and specialized cargo related to the FIFA World Cup matches being hosted in the region"
It looks like we will see our first Level 4 Police Escort across the Burrard Street Bridge into Downtown Vancouver? I am assuming Qatar are playing in Vancouver and a Prince brought their convoy procession in that C-17?

Canada vs Qatar - World Cup - Match 27 (Group B)
BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, BC
Thu, Jun 18 at 3:00 PM

There was a US air fuel tanker around as well last week

Laurie Trautman, director of the Border Policy Research Institute at Western Washington University, said on theBreaker.news podcast that the Qatari delegation has informed U.S. Customs and Border Protection that it is planning a 56-motorcoach convoy from Vancouver to Seattle before the team’s third match, June 24 versus Bosnia and Hercegovniza.

https://bobmackin.substack.com/p/fifa-world-cup-us-air-force-fuel

[whatnext]

BIV has an article on traffic planning for FIFA:

Vancouver braces for World Cup traffic snarls
City officials say congestion will be manageable, others not so sure
Jami Makan
about 10 hours ago

Vancouver traffic can be gruelling on even the smoothest summer day. Toss in FIFA World Cup crowds, stadium road closures, tourists, buses and commuters, and even the most seasoned driver might be in for a rough ride when matches roll into town.

“Vancouver traffic is the worst at the best times, so we can only anticipate what it’s going to be like,” said Leah Holiove, a traffic reporter with News 1130 who has been reporting on traffic for almost two decades...

...The city started its traffic planning in mid-2023, said Paul Storer, director of transportation with the City of Vancouver.

“It feels like we’ve been doing it forever,” he said.

After the city set up its host-city team, one of the first positions filled was the transportation lead, he said.

The city also hired a consultant to analyze traffic flows to venues, arrival and departure patterns, and has worked closely with partners including TransLink, the airports and ferries...

https://www.biv.com/news/transportation/vancouver-braces-for-world-cup-traffic-snarls-12393395

[SpongeG]

Any fans arriced yet? I watched some American news of Scottish fans arriving in Boston and a lot of the teams arriving, South Korea is based in Guadalajara, but has moved onto Salt Lake City for their game, Iran is staying in Tijuana and the Mexicans gave them a warm welcome.

Made the News in India
• Video Link

[kikin]

Granville Street was busy today, lots of tourists and people enjoying themselves.

[SpongeG]

Aussie Media in Vancouver

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pap6tFN69-A

and Fifa's stories from the cities

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wA8yha2Ddzo

[csbvan]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

Any fans arriced yet? I watched some American news of Scottish fans arriving in Boston and a lot of the teams arriving, South Korea is based in Guadalajara, but has moved onto Salt Lake City for their game, Iran is staying in Tijuana and the Mexicans gave them a warm welcome.

Made the News in India
• Video Link

I saw a crowd around the Turkey team bus getting pictures as they unloaded today.

Granville is packed! Big success already, on Day 1 of the tournament. The TSN studio has a pretty spectacular backdrop.

[SpongeG]

Turkey Arrived!

• Video Link

[SpongeG]

Fifa fan zone seems like a big hit, people are saying you need to get there early, I guess it depends on who is playing? but nice to see

• Video Link

[Zepfancouver]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

Turkey Arrived!

Turkey Soccer Team in Vancouver, BC, Canada for FIFA WORLD 2026

Thanks for that info SpongeG. My questions are answered. I saw that bus with another one just like it in white in a Level 4 Police Escort over the Burrard Street Bridge late this afternoon.

[jollyburger]

Are they showing the games at the TSN stage setup at Jack Poole Plaza?

[RedArbutus]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

Are they showing the games at the TSN stage setup at Jack Poole Plaza?

I read just this morning that they indeed have a big screen set up. Not sure where I saw that however, somewhere on social media.

[SpongeG]

yes there are screens at Jack Poole Plaza.

There is also a screen at Granville Island but from what I've seen on socials it fills up very fast and people are complaining that they can't get in, so again get in early. It can accommodate 1000 people. It looked very packed and busy for yesterdays games.

A video: https://www.instagram.com/reels/DZfoBfbxYlp/

I watched a video from Granville Street today, he was there for Team Canada's game and live streamed from both Jack Poole and Granville Street and it was really busy, wherever there is a screen in a bar, there was a large crowd watching from the sidewalks/street. Maybe a big screen could have been set up on the street might have helped.

Surrey City Hall plaza also has a large viewing fan area. They have 4 fan zones in total but some of them will only open in July I guess for the final.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DYC6SV2FLAW/

City adds fourth Surrey Soccer Fan Zone at Holland Park

https://www.surrey.ca/news-events/news/city-adds-fourth-surrey-soccer-fan-zone-holland-park

One of my 20 something co-workers was going to head down to Granville today, I guess they were too young for the Olympics so this is their chance to experience a big event, he was quite excited to check it all out.

[SpongeG]

huge turnout today at the fanfest. So I had a question the $100+ seating, is that a FIFA demand or condition? I've seen clips on other host cities, in the USA and they also have paid fan fest seating, LA has a general $10 entrance fee to get into the fan fest there, but i missed if they also charge for better seats or not.

• Video Link

[Migrant_Coconut]

The PNE's city-owned, so my first instinct is "Ken Sim cash grab."

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

huge turnout today at the fanfest. So I had a question the $100+ seating, is that a FIFA demand or condition? I've seen clips on other host cities, in the USA and they also have paid fan fest seating, LA has a general $10 entrance fee to get into the fan fest there, but i missed if they also charge for better seats or not.

FIFA says the fan festival event has to be free admission but they can charge for premium exclusive use areas.