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A pedestrian-only zone along downtown Vancouver’s Granville Strip buzzed Thursday with selfie-takers, while throngs of Mexico soccer supporters packed into a Gastown bar.
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The city was finally starting to feel the energy of the arrival of the world’s biggest sporting event.
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By mid-morning Thursday, the first day of the 2026 World Cup, kids were climbing a “Love Van” sign, featuring an oversized, heart-shaped structure. It was one of many photo-worthy installations lining the pedestrian zone, drawing a steady stream of families, couples and jersey-wearing tourists and locals.
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The atmosphere was light and unhurried, the kind of Saturday-morning energy a weekday rarely earns. FIFA-themed murals covered the ground. Fans posed in front of images of famous players on a newly constructed patio, and the street — narrowed by outdoor seating and humming with cafés — felt transformed.
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Callum Daly, an Australian fan in a yellow jersey who arrived the night before with two friends, said he was impressed the moment he landed.
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“Well organized,” said Daly, who is in Vancouver for five days to watch Australia face Turkey on Saturday. “Even getting out from the airport was nice and easy, no issues.”
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He noticed Vancouver had cleaned up for the occasion, comparing it to the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia.
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“They suddenly clean everything up, make it look like there’s not a ton of problems,” Daly said.
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His travelling companion, Ben Moring, also in yellow, said flying into B.C. felt like a reward in itself.
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“Absolutely beautiful city,” Moring said. “Stunning.”
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Moring said he had watched every World Cup since Germany 2006, usually sleep-deprived in an Australian time zone. He thought the street buzz was still building, but expected it to change fast.
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“Once more Australians and Turkish people get here, it’s going to start to pick up,” he said. “I think it’s gonna be great.”
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Soccer fans in Vancouver congregated in several areas Thursday to watch the opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026. The FIFA Pedestrian Zone in downtown Vancouver was well attended. Mexican fans filled several locations in the Mexican Barrios, including The Cambie to watch their team play South Africa. Photo by Jason Payne /PNG
Mexican soccer fans (from left foreground) Nadia Sanchez and Kenia Lopez wave a Mexican flag while they watch the opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 at The Cambie in Vancouver on June 11, 2026. Fans could watch the opening match from several areas Thursday, including the FIFA Pedestrian Zone on Granville Street in downtown Vancouver.Photo by Jason Payne /PNG
Mexican soccer fans (from second left foreground) Dilara Karaca, Rodrigo Zertuche, Nadia Sanchez and Kenia Lopez watch the opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 at The Cambie in Vancouver on June 11, 2026. Fans could watch the opening match from several areas Thursday, including the FIFA Pedestrian Zone on Granville Street in downtown Vancouver.Photo by Jason Payne /PNG
Mexican soccer fans (from left foreground) Dilara Karaca, Rodrigo Zertuche and Nadia Sanchez watch the opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 at The Cambie in Vancouver on June 11, 2026. Fans could watch the opening match from several areas Thursday, including the FIFA Pedestrian Zone on Granville Street in downtown Vancouver.Photo by Jason Payne /PNG
Soccer fans watch the opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 at The Cambie in Vancouver on June 11, 2026. Fans congregated in several areas Thursday to watch the opening match, including the FIFA Pedestrian Zone in downtown Vancouver.Photo by Jason Payne /PNG
Vancouver soccer fans congregated in several areas Thursday to watch the opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026. The FIFA Pedestrian Zone in downtown Vancouver was well attended. Mexican fans filled several locations in the Mexican Barrios, including El Casita restaurant to watch their team play South Africa. Photo by Jason Payne /PNG
Mexican soccer fan Alejandro Frias on The FIFA Pedestrian Zone on Granville Street in downtown Vancouver Thursday, June 11, 2026. Photo by Jason Payne /PNG
Australian visitors (from left) Ben Moring, Andrew Marler and Callum Daly take in the FIFA Pedestrian Zone on Granville Street in downtown Vancouver Thursday, June 11, 2026. The trio are in Vancouver for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Photo by Jason Payne /PNG
Soccer fans congregated in several areas of Vancouver on Thursday to watch the opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026. The FIFA Pedestrian Zone in downtown Vancouver was well attended. Mexican fans filled several locations in the Mexican Barrios, including The Cambie to watch their team play South Africa. Photo by Jason Payne /PNG
Soccer fans congregated in several areas of Vancouver on Thursday to watch the opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026. The FIFA Pedestrian Zone in downtown Vancouver was well attended. Mexican fans filled several locations in the Mexican Barrios, including The Cambie to watch their team play South Africa. Photo by Jason Payne /PNG
Soccer fans congregated in several areas of Vancouver on Thursday to watch the opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026. The FIFA Pedestrian Zone in downtown Vancouver was well attended. Mexican fans filled several locations in the Mexican Barrios, including The Cambie to watch their team play South Africa. Photo by Jason Payne /PNG
Soccer fans congregated in several areas of Vancouver on Thursday to watch the opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026. The FIFA Pedestrian Zone in downtown Vancouver was well attended. Mexican fans filled several locations in the Mexican Barrios, including The Cambie to watch their team play South Africa. Photo by Jason Payne /PNG
Soccer fans congregated in several areas of Vancouver on Thursday to watch the opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026. The FIFA Pedestrian Zone in downtown Vancouver was well attended. Mexican fans filled several locations in the Mexican Barrios, including The Cambie to watch their team play South Africa. Photo by Jason Payne /PNG
Soccer fans congregated in several areas of Vancouver on Thursday to watch the opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026. The FIFA Pedestrian Zone in downtown Vancouver was well attended. Mexican fans filled several locations in the Mexican Barrios, including The Cambie to watch their team play South Africa. Photo by Jason Payne /PNG
Soccer fans congregated in several areas of Vancouver on Thursday to watch the opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026. The FIFA Pedestrian Zone in downtown Vancouver was well attended. Mexican fans filled several locations in the Mexican Barrios, including The Cambie to watch their team play South Africa. Photo by Jason Payne /PNG
Soccer fans congregated in several areas of Vancouver on Thursday to watch the opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026. The FIFA Pedestrian Zone in downtown Vancouver was well attended. Mexican fans filled several locations in the Mexican Barrios, including The Cambie to watch their team play South Africa. Photo by Jason Payne /PNG
Soccer fans congregated in several areas of Vancouver on Thursday to watch the opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026. The FIFA Pedestrian Zone in downtown Vancouver was well attended. Mexican fans filled several locations in the Mexican Barrios, including The Cambie to watch their team play South Africa. Photo by Jason Payne /PNG
Soccer fans congregated in several areas of Vancouver on Thursday to watch the opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026. The FIFA Pedestrian Zone in downtown Vancouver was well attended. Mexican fans filled several locations in the Mexican Barrios, including The Cambie to watch their team play South Africa. Photo by Jason Payne /PNG
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Kursad Koksal flew in from Toronto with his family, each of them carrying a small Turkish flag, specifically for Turkey’s match. It is his first time visiting Vancouver, which he said reminded him of home.
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“Some parts reminded me of Istanbul,” said Koksal, who has lived in Canada for more than 20 years. “It doesn’t feel like Toronto at all, very different vibe.”
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Liliana Flores, walking down Granville Street with her husband and daughters, has lived in Vancouver for 25 years and is cheering for Canada and Mexico. She said she had never quite seen the city like this, not even for the 2010 Olympics.
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“This is maybe the first time that I have seen this promotion and this energy,” she said. “The city feels different. It feels very positive and very high energy.”
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Alejandro Frias cut a distinctive figure on Granville Street, wearing an embroidered white shirt, a puffy red bow tie and a Mexican flag he held as he walked. A Vancouver resident and Canadian Navy employee, he said the city would hit its stride in the days ahead, the same way it did during the Olympics.
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“It will probably be a few days until people realize what a great opportunity this is to showcase our city,” Frias said. “And we do a pretty good job.”
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