World Cup party underway begins, but lightning forces evacuation of Toronto fan fest

The biggest FIFA World Cup in history officially kicked off Thursday, as Canadian host cities prepared for matches, cultural events, an influx of fans and the international spotlight.

But the weather put a dampener on the party in Toronto, where the threat of lightning triggered the evacuation of the official FIFA Fan Festival.

There were jeers and groans as the announcement was made under blackening skies Thursday at the Fort York site, where fans had flocked to the main stage to watch the tournament’s opening match that saw Mexico defeat South Africa 2-0 in Mexico City.

Local resident Abdel Elmaadawi said the “energy was great” when he arrived, but he was disappointed with the cancellation.

“On the website they said, ‘rain or shine event,’ so I’m a little bit disappointed by the area they chose for the viewing,” he said.

The city said of the evacuation that “the decision was not made lightly” but safety was the “utmost priority.”

The festival was to remain closed for the day’s second match between South Korea and Czechia.

Ian Custadillo, also from Toronto, took a half-day off work to attend.

“We all know Toronto’s weather is pretty spontaneous … and we had a couple years to prepare for this,” he said.

“You see on the TV it says ‘evacuation’ and you think it’s some sort of crazy emergency but it’s just a little bit of rain. I’ll be back for sure, but will I schedule my day towards coming out? I don’t know.”

Organizers in Toronto will be hoping for better on Friday as the final preparations continue ahead of Canada’s opening match, against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Canada’s newly sworn-in Gov. Gen. Louise Arbour is planning to attend.

Staff at Toronto Stadium were seen shuffling across the pitch and concourses, putting final touches on the revamped venue Thursday ahead of its World Cup debut. The stadium has been wrapped head to toe in FIFA and World Cup imagery, replacing the usual Toronto FC and BMO branding.

The city hosted a spirited countdown concert Wednesday night featuring Bryan Adams, Wyclef Jean, Nora Fatehi and The Beaches, performing before thousands of cheering fans.

Colin Smith said he made a “pit stop” to catch the festivities in Toronto on his way to support Scotland in Boston, where the team will face off against Haiti in its first match on Saturday. It’s the first time in 28 years Scotland has qualified for the World Cup, and Smith said he hopes to see them make it past the group stage for the first time.

He came to the fan festival by himself Thursday but said he knew he wasn’t the only Scotland fan there after seeing others in kilts.

Before the evacuation, Gabriela Marvan turned up in a green Mexico jersey to root for her home country’s team as it took on South Africa. Her one-year-old daughter was draped in a sling across her chest and wore large noise-cancelling earmuffs.

“I think having the World Cup in the city that we live in is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” she said.

Thursday’s watch party may have been cut short, but the family has tickets to Canada’s opening match on Friday. “We are Mexican by birth but Canadian by choice, so we are very excited and wanted to be there tomorrow,” she said.

This year’s World Cup is jointly hosted by Canada, the United States and Mexico.

The event runs until July 19, with six games in Toronto and seven in Vancouver.

Before Canada’s opener in Toronto on Friday, Canadian rocker Alanis Morissette will sing the national anthem, along with performances by Michael Bublé, Alessia Cara, Jessie Reyez, William Prince and Sanjoy.

In Vancouver, where the first match between Australia and Turkey kicks off at BC Place on Saturday, mariachi music could be heard blasting from bars hosting watch parties in the city’s downtown, with jersey-clad fans.

At an event organized by the Latincouver community group in the Gastown neighbourhood, fans in green Mexico jerseys were glued to their screens. Cheers went up and bells rang as Mexico scored in the first half.

And there was a big crowd at Vancouver’s fan festival at Hastings Park, where Mexico fans also erupted in cheers when their team scored, some throwing sombreros in the air.

Mexico native Arturo Morales, who was in the downtown core, said he has noticed a buzz growing in the city, adding that his hope is for Vancouver to fully embrace the tournament.

“Hockey is big here, but I want soccer to thrive here,” he said. “It’s such a big sport in the world and I want the city to just immerse itself with it.”

Morales said he is hoping to get tickets to a game later in the tournament, noting he would pay high prices “if it makes sense.”

“If big players come by, 100 per cent, I’m willing to pay the price. It doesn’t happen often that you get a World Cup in your city.”

International fans have also begun landing in the city. Among them was Elvan Dos Santos, who arrived Wednesday and has tickets to Saturday’s match.

“I was born in Australia, but my parents are both Turkish, so it’s sort of like a win-win for my brother and I,” the 30-year-old said in an interview. But he said he’d be supporting Turkey.

Throughout the tournament, several artists will play daily FIFA Fan Festivals in both Canadian host cities — Toronto will see artists such as Alessia Cara, Murda Beatz and French Montana, while Vancouver will welcome artists like Mötley Crüe, Broken Social Scene and Kaytranada.

The World Cup has drawn its fair share of criticism, with several Torontonians complaining about exorbitant ticket prices, traffic disruptions and public costs.

Toronto brand manager Hassan Javed said he spent about $1,000 on a ticket to June 20’s Germany vs. Ivory Coast game at Toronto Stadium.

“If the prices would have been lower, more people could enjoy the event,” he said.

“It’s a bit pricey for sure, but it’s one of the only times in life you can enjoy a World Cup game live … It was worth it.”

Brampton roots artist AHI, who performed at the countdown concert with Wyclef Jean, said we shouldn’t take moments like this for granted.

“When the Raptors won the championship in 2019, the next year the whole world shut down,” he said, referencing the pandemic.

“So, we’ve got to take these moments in. We’ve got to appreciate the opportunity. Yes, there’s going to be traffic; yes, there’s going to be a lot of people.

“But it’s people coming together, and that’s what life’s about. It’s beautiful, man.”

—With files from Sammy Hudes and Alex Nino Gheciu in Toronto, Brieanna Charlebois and Darryl Greer in Vancouver