Huge World Cup watch party has ‘exceeded expectations’ in Mississauga

Mississauga’s biggest World Cup watch party has been a rousing success to date, the city says, with several crowds at Celebration Square topping the 10,000 mark — and even larger gatherings of fans expected in the coming weeks.

The City of Mississauga is hosting the five-week watch party — three weeks down, two to go — at the popular outdoor venue located in the downtown core.

More than 40 2026 FIFA World Cup matches have been shown on the big screens at Celebration Square to date as the prestigious international tournament is now in the midst of round of 32 action. At this stage, the winners of each contest move on to the round of 16 while the losers are eliminated.

Scheduled knockout games on Thursday are:

• Spain vs. Austria — 3 p.m.
• Portugal vs. Croatia — 7 p.m.
• Switzerland vs. Algeria — 11 p.m.

Friday’s televised action at the square features:

• Australia vs. Egypt — 2 p.m.
• Argentina vs. Cabo Verde — 6 p.m.
• Colombia vs. Ghana — 9:30 p.m.

On Saturday, round of 16 action gets underway with the biggest match in the Canadian team’s history kicking off at 1 p.m. in Houston when Canada plays heavily favoured Morocco.

The 38-day FIFA tournament began June 11 with a largest-ever field of 48 teams and concludes July 19 with the title match in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

It’s being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. Games in Canada are being played in Toronto and Vancouver.

Final game being played in Toronto on Thursday

Tonight’s match between Portugal and Croatia at Toronto Stadium is the final tournament game being held in Canada’s largest city.

Vancouver hosts two more games — Switzerland vs. Algeria on Thursday night and a round of 16 match on July 7 (teams to be determined).

All remaining games from here on, with the exception of the 2026 World Cup third-place match on July 18, will be broadcast on the screens at Mississauga’s Celebration Square as the outdoor watch party, dubbed Watch the World Play, continues. City officials say previously scheduled programming prevents them from showing the July 18 contest.

So far, the city says it’s huge, multiple-week watch party at the square has turned out even better than expected.

Crowds of more than 10,000

“Attendance has exceeded expectations and interest continues to grow as the tournament progresses. Several screenings have attracted crowds exceeding 10,000 people, particularly during high-profile matches and knockout-round games,” City of Mississauga spokesperson Irene McCutcheon told INsauga.com.

“The atmosphere has been energetic, family-friendly and welcoming, with fans from many different backgrounds coming together to celebrate the world’s game. Screening attendance is expected to continue growing as we move into the final stages of the tournament.”

While a heatwave has arrived in southern Ontario this week, the extremely hot temperatures prompting a number of warnings and cancelled events across the Greater Toronto Area, McCutcheon noted weather disruptions “have been minimal” as far as any impact on the World Cup screenings is concerned.

“There have been periods where staff have needed to monitor changing conditions, including the potential for thunderstorms,” she said, adding city staff continue to “prioritize public safety and follow established processes when severe weather is a possibility.”

The large crowds have been “passionate and respectful”

Moving forward, McCutcheon continued, “as attendance continues to grow, we encourage fans to come prepared for the weather by bringing water, wearing sunscreen and a hat, and dressing appropriately for the conditions.”

Weather aside, the large gatherings taking in the World Cup screenings at the square have, so far, posed “no major security concerns,” according to the city spokesperson.

“The passion and enthusiasm from fans has been incredible to see. Despite some very large crowds, attendees have been respectful and there have been no major security concerns,” said McCutcheon, adding staff work closely with Peel Regional Police and the city’s security services to ensure a safe environment, “and fans have played an important role in creating a positive experience for everyone.”

“Once-in-a-lifetime tournament”

City officials said hosting FIFA World Cup screenings at Celebration Square “has been a wonderful opportunity to bring the community together and celebrate a once-in-a-lifetime tournament being hosted in North America.”

To see what matches are scheduled to be shown at Mississauga Celebration Square, check out the city’s broadcast schedule.

Mississauga Ward 4 Coun. and Deputy Mayor John Kovac said earlier the World Cup brings “excitement, unity and celebration” to communities around the world. In Mississauga, the deputy mayor added, the city recognizes “the enthusiasm of our residents and the many local fans who gather to cheer on their favourite teams — an opportunity for everyone to come together and celebrate this international event.”