"The eyeballs of the world will be on us at 3 p.m." Peter Montopoli isn't exaggerating. Canada's chief tournament officer has called Friday's opener against Bosnia-Herzegovina the largest broadcasted event in the history of the country — and with 50 cameras trained on a lakefront stadium in Toronto, the world will be watching every angle of it.
Canada, ranked 30th, face a Bosnia-Herzegovina side ranked 64th that arrived in Toronto to highway overpasses lined with fans and a police escort. Don't let those numbers fool you. Bosnia knocked out Wales (37th) and Italy (12th) through penalty shootouts in the European playoffs. They are not a soft draw. Canada's odds to win this group comfortably are worth treating with some scepticism.
Toronto's intimate stage
BMO Field — rebranded as Toronto Stadium for the tournament — is the smallest venue among the 16 host cities. Temporary stands in both ends bring capacity to around 42,000. Montopoli describes it as "really intimate," the kind of ground where you can "hear, feel and almost touch the players."
He also claims the pitch will be the gold standard of this entire World Cup after extensive preparation work. "I hate to say this but it's probably never going to be any better than this." High praise, and high expectations to live up to — for both the turf and the team playing on it.
Canada drew 1-1 with Ireland in their final warm-up in Montreal last Friday. Not a confidence-shaking result, but not a statement either. Bosnia landed Sunday to a rapturous reception that reportedly left their manager stunned. The atmosphere is already tilting emotionally.
Vancouver waiting in the wings
Montopoli will shuttle between Toronto and Vancouver throughout the tournament, overseeing all 13 games staged in Canada. BC Place has been significantly upgraded — new scoreboard panels, expanded hospitality, and a temporary grass pitch replacing the artificial surface that would have been a genuine problem for players at this level.
The ticketing system has drawn criticism, with prices that caught international fans off guard. A last-minute hospitality package for Canada's opener was listed Monday at $11,250 per person, including champagne and a pitchside culinary experience. FIFA says more than 90 per cent of supply has been sold regardless.
Montopoli's journey to this moment started 15 years ago when he was Canada Soccer's general secretary. The hosting rights were won in 2018. Whatever happens on the pitch Friday, the infrastructure is in place. Now Canada just needs to win a football match.
