Spanish ambassador invites community to ByWard Market for World Cup final watch party

Spain will face defending champions Argentina for the world cup title! Spanish Ambassador Alfredo Martinez Serrano joins us on Your Morning Ottawa.

The Spanish ambassador to Canada says he is looking forward to coming together with the community on Sunday to watch the FIFA World Cup final match between Spain and Argentina.

The Spanish team punched its ticket to the final match with a 2-0 victory over France on Tuesday, while Argentina beat England 2-1 on Wednesday. The final game will be held Sunday at 3 p.m. at the New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.

Ambassador Alfredo Martínez Serrano told CTV Your Morning Ottawa on Friday that a watch party for the final game will be held in the ByWard Market on Sunday.

“We will be together at ByWard Market, at the core of the federal capital… sharing and partying together with the spirit and values of the sport, because we can never forget that football is bringing us together,” he said.

The event is free to attend, but registration is required. It will feature an outdoor screen, live DJs, carnival performers, food and drink, giveaways, and an after party following the game. Organizers say capacity is limited and attendees are encouraged to arrive early.

Martínez Serrano notes that Ottawa and Spain have a connection through the local Canadian Premier League team, Atlético Ottawa, which was founded by Atlético Madrid.

“And we won the Canadian Premier League last year. And football is actually a symbol of union, cohesion, and inclusion,” he said.

The match will pit the Spanish club against star footballer Lionel Messi of Argentina, who Martínez Serrano called an “extraordinary talent” and noted his ties to Spain, as well.

“They (Argentina) have an extraordinary team, and Messi is an extraordinary talent, also so closely connected to Spain. He played for Barcelona since he was a child, but on the other hand, I see also that there’s a lot of confidence among the Spanish players,” he said.

“As you know, we are organizing the next World Cup in Spain in 2030, and reaching that possibility, if we are able to win as champions, will be an extraordinary example for the world.”

For people interested in visiting Spain, the ambassador said there is a lot to look forward to.

“Spain is a very interesting country. It is a country with a very deep history, with a vibrant culture, very open and charming. It is the second-largest destination for tourism in the world,” he said.

“We have actually 17 destinations by direct planes, so it’s very easy to be reached. And what we can offer is something that is essential: culture, nature, incredible food, a civil society which is open to the world, highly developed infrastructures, and this capacity of creativity and innovation that our team is going to show in the final.”

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