Metro Vancouver is set to host a full slate of sporting events this weekend, with the BC Lions returning to BC Place Stadium for their first home game after playing away during preparations related to the FIFA World Cup. The Lions will face the Toronto Argonauts on Saturday at 4 p.m. To mark the team's return, a fan pool party will be held on Robson Street beginning at noon ahead of kickoff. Soccer fans will also have several matches to watch. Vancouver FC is scheduled to take on Cavalry FC on Friday at 7 p.m., while Vancouver Rise will host the Halifax Tides on Saturday at 1 p.m. In basketball, the Vancouver Bandits will face the Saskatchewan Rattlers on Saturday at 6 p.m. West Vancouver's Hollyburn Country Club will also host the start of the Odlum Brown VanOpen tennis tournament on Saturday. Wrestling fans can attend BOOM! Pro Wrestling at Vancouver's Commodore Ballroom later that day.

Team Canada completed a remarkable week at the 2026 Canada Cup International Softball Championship on Sunday, scoring five runs in the top of the seventh inning to erase a one-run deficit and defeat Team China 7-3 in the championship game at Softball City. After cruising through round robin and playoff action, Canada faced its toughest test of the tournament in the final. Trailing 3-2 entering the seventh, the Canadians erupted for five runs, highlighted by a three-run home run from Kelsey Harshman, to secure the Canada Cup title in dramatic fashion. Team Canada celebrate the home run from Kelsey Harshman. (Photo - Lathanuel Photography)Harshman led the offensive attack with three RBIs, while Emma Entzminger, Grace Messmer, and Harshman each collected two hits. Entzminger's game-tying triple in the fourth inning sparked Canada's comeback before Harshman's late heroics put the championship out of reach. In the circle, Sara Groenewegen started for Team Canada before Morgan Reimer delivered three strong innings of relief, allowing just one hit while striking out three to earn the victory. Canada also played flawless defence, committing no errors in the championship game. Canadian player and Chinese team member seen in action during the championship final. (Photo - Lathanuel Photography)With the victory, Team Canada capped an outstanding tournament, finishing undefeated and capturing the 2026 Canada Cup International Softball Championship in front of an enthusiastic home crowd at Softball City. Emma Entzminger reacts after a powerful performance by Team Canada in the championship final at Softball City in Surrey. (Photo - Lathanuel Photography)Emma Entzminger, in an interview with News Director Pervez Sandhu said, “I am so proud of this team, and the fight continued going into the 7th inning and I had the belief in the team that we could do it and we sure did.” While talking to Connect FM, Grace Messmer said, “we are happy to be the champions after being the runner-up last year and we are happy to be in front of the home crowd and I am from here and lot of others are too.” Coach Kaleigh Rafter in the post match interview with Connect FM said, "the focus right now is going to be on each tournament at a time, but the 2028 Olympics remain the bigger goal for the team." Click the following links for the video: https://www.tiktok.com/@connec... https://www.facebook.com/reel/... https://www.instagram.com/conn...

Team Canada improved to 2-0 at the 2026 Canada Cup with a convincing 7-0 victory over Venezuela on Tuesday at Softball City. Paige Simpson during the match against Venezuela. (Photo credits - Lathanuel Photography)Paige Simpson opened the scoring with a two-run single in the second inning before Canada broke the game open in the fourth, highlighted by a three-run home run from Erika Polidori and an RBI double from Emma Entzminger. Morgan Rackel earned the win in the circle, allowing just one hit while striking out six over four scoreless innings. Canada continued its strong all-around play with 10 hits, seven walks and another error-free defensive performance. Emma Entzminger in action during the match against Venezuela. (Photo credits - Lathanuel Photography)Entzminger, Grace Messmer and Zoe Hicks each recorded two hits, while Polidori drove in three runs. Team Canada returns to action Wednesday evening when they face New Zealand at 6:15 p.m. at Softball City.Erika Polidori smiles while completing a run during the game against Venezuela. (Photo credits - Lathanuel Photography)Team Canada had earlier beaten Team Brazil in it's first game on Monday. Team Canada had finished as runner-up in the tournament in 2025 after finishing as champions in the tournament with an unbeaten run in 2024. Upcoming Team Canada Schedule: Wednesday, July 8th – New Zealand vs Canada – 615PM Thursday, July 9th – Czechia vs Canada – 1PM Thursday, July 9th – Canada vs China – 6PM Friday, July 10th – Canada vs Chinese Taipei Development – 6PM

Canada's historic FIFA World Cup campaign came to an end after a 3–0 defeat to Morocco in the Round of 16, marking the conclusion of the country's deepest-ever run at the FIFA World Cup. The first half remained scoreless as both teams created opportunities but failed to break the deadlock. Canada generated several early scoring chances, including four promising attacks within the opening 25 minutes, but Morocco's goalkeeper and defensive unit kept the match level. Morocco took control early in the second half when Azzedine Ounahi opened the scoring in the 50th minute to give his side a 1–0 lead. Morocco doubled its advantage in the 82nd minute before Soufiane Rahimi added a third goal in the eighth minute of stoppage time to seal the victory. The result eliminates Canada from the tournament. Despite the defeat, the co-host nation achieved a historic milestone by reaching the Round of 16 for the first time in its FIFA World Cup history, representing the country's best-ever performance at the tournament.

Toronto will host its sixth and final FIFA World Cup match on Thursday as Portugal takes on Croatia in a Round of 32 fixture at BMO Stadium. The match is expected to mark the final World Cup appearance for two of football's most accomplished players. Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, has previously said this will be his last FIFA World Cup. Croatia captain Luka Modrić, 40, has also been widely reported to be considering retirement from international football following the tournament, although no official announcement has been made. According to the FIFA World Cup schedule, the day's second Round of 32 match will be played at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, where Switzerland will face Algeria. It will be the first knockout-stage World Cup match hosted in Vancouver. Switzerland advanced to the Round of 32 after finishing first and unbeaten in Group B. Algeria qualified after finishing third in Group J. Switzerland previously played at BC Place on June 24, defeating Canada 2–1 during the group stage, while Thursday's match will mark Algeria's first World Cup game on Canadian soil.

A new controversy has emerged ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, with reports that some football officials and staff have faced extended questioning and travel difficulties at U.S. airports in the days leading up to the tournament. The latest case involves Omar Abdulkadir Artan, a Somali international referee and one of Africa's prominent match officials. According to reports, Artan was denied entry into the United States upon arrival at Miami International Airport and was subsequently returned to Istanbul. Reports indicate that Artan was travelling on a diplomatic passport. However, U.S. authorities have not publicly explained the reasons for the decision, and no official statement detailing the circumstances has been released. The incident comes amid broader concerns related to travel arrangements and logistics ahead of the World Cup, which is being hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. The reported denial of entry has prompted questions within football circles about access and travel procedures for tournament-related personnel.