The FIFA Fan Festival in Vancouver and Canada Soccer House in North Vancouver were packed to capacity Sunday, as fans of the beautiful game gathered to take in the tournament’s final match. Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in extra time, unseating the defending champions led by Lionel Messi in what the superstar had said would be his final World Cup. Vancouver’s host committee lauded the success of the “remarkable” tournament, which included seven games at a transformed B.C. Place—including Canada’s dramatic, emotional victory over Qatar. In total, the stadium welcomed 367,479 fans and saw, on some occasions, the streets transformed by marches and celebrations. “This summer, Vancouver was at the heart of the biggest tournament on earth,” said Vancouver Mayor ken Sim, in a statement. “In hosting FIFA World Cup 2026, Vancouver has shown that we are a world-class destination for visitors and a world-leading city for delivering safe and successful global events.” In addition to seeing games played on Canadian soil for the first time, this year’s tournament galvanized support for the men’s national team during a run marked by several historic firsts. Prime Minister Mark Carney attended the final and posted a patriotic and celebratory statement to social media ahead of the match. “Hundreds of thousands of fans packed the streets of Vancouver, Toronto, and communities across the country to watch the beautiful game and cheer on Team Canada — who played with extraordinary character, resilience, and grit,” he wrote. “Our team and our fans showed the world that Canada belongs on any pitch, against any team. Canada’s soccer journey is just beginning. The best is yet to come.” Critics have questioned the cost of Canada’s hosting World Cup games. The parliamentary budget officer pegged the total price tag for staging 13 games at $1.066 billion, with the federal government contributing $473 million and another $593 million coming from other levels of government. The cost to Vancouver, specifically, remains unclear. However, Sim has claimed the city is only “on the hook” for $5 million.
