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.

Vancouver has been ranked the best host city among the 16 cities set to stage matches during the FIFA World Cup 2026, according to a ranking published by U.S.-based sports magazine Sports Illustrated. The publication cited Vancouver’s public transit network, walkability and moderate climate as key factors behind its top placement. Seattle ranked second on the list, while Toronto placed third. According to the ranking, Vancouver may also be a more affordable destination for fans travelling from the United States and Europe because the Canadian dollar remains weaker than the U.S. dollar and the euro. Sports Illustrated placed San Francisco at the bottom of the rankings, citing the distance between the host stadium and the city's downtown core as a significant drawback for visitors. Meanwhile, FIFA has reversed a previously announced ban on reusable water bottles inside stadiums during tournament matches. The change affects fan access policies as organizers continue preparations for the 2026 event.

The Alberta government has announced funding for five major sporting events taking place across the province this year, including four events scheduled in Edmonton and surrounding communities. According to the provincial government, $1.3 million has been provided through the Alberta Major Sport Event Grant Program to support national and international competitions. The funding also includes support for seven sporting events that were held earlier this year. Upcoming events receiving support include the North American Cup Series from June 26 to 28, the Edmonton Athletics Invitational on July 12, the U17 Women’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship in Calgary from July 29 to Aug. 2, and the Canadian BMX Championship in St. Albert on Aug. 29 and 30. The province says more than 12,000 athletes, coaches, officials and spectators are expected to attend the events. Officials say the competitions are expected to generate economic activity while supporting sport development and tourism in host communities.

ਵੈਨਕੂਵਰ ਇੰਟਰਨੈਸ਼ਨਲ ਏਅਰਪੋਰਟ ਨੇ ਫੀਫਾ ਵਰਲਡ ਕੱਪ ਦੇ ਮੱਦੇਨਜ਼ਰ ਮੁਸਾਫ਼ਰਾਂ ਦੀ ਭੀੜ ਨੂੰ ਸੰਭਾਲਣ ਲਈ ਬਾਇਓਮੈਟ੍ਰਿਕ ਬੋਰਡਿੰਗ ਦਾ ਇਸਤੇਮਾਲ ਵਧਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈ, ਜਿਸ ਨਾਲ ਉਡੀਕ ਸਮੇਂ ਵਿਚ ਕਮੀ ਨੋਟਿਸ ਕੀਤੀ ਜਾ ਸਕਦੀ ਹੈ। ਏਅਰਪੋਰਟ ਪ੍ਰਸ਼ਾਸਨ ਮੁਤਾਬਕ, ਹੁਣ ਹਵਾਈ ਅੱਡੇ 'ਤੇ 42 ਬਾਇਓਮੈਟ੍ਰਿਕ-ਗੇਟ ਕੰਮ ਕਰ ਰਹੇ ਹਨ। ਔਫੀਸਰ ਦਾ ਕਹਿਣਾ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਇਸ ਕਦਮ ਨਾਲ ਬੋਰਡਿੰਗ ਪ੍ਰਕਿਰਿਆ ਵਿਚ ਕਰੀਬ 13 ਫੀਸਦੀ ਤੇਜ਼ੀ ਆਉਣ ਦੀ ਉਮੀਦ ਹੈ। ਇਸ ਤੋਂ ਇਲਾਵਾ ਸੁਰੱਖਿਆ ਚੌਕੀਆਂ 'ਤੇ ਨਵੀਂ ਸੀਟੀ ਸਕ੍ਰੀਨਿੰਗ ਤਕਨਾਲੋਜੀ ਵੀ ਸ਼ੁਰੂ ਕੀਤੀ ਗਈ ਹੈ, ਇਸ ਦਾ ਸਭ ਤੋਂ ਵੱਡਾ ਫਾਇਦਾ ਇਹ ਹੋਵੇਗਾ ਕਿ ਯਾਤਰੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਬੈਗ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਤਰਲ ਪਦਾਰਥ ਅਤੇ ਵੱਡੇ ਇਲੈਕਟ੍ਰਾਨਿਕਸ ਉਪਕਰਣ ਬਾਹਰ ਕੱਢਣ ਦੀ ਲੋੜ ਨਹੀਂ ਪਵੇਗੀ। ਅਧਿਕਾਰੀਆਂ ਨੇ ਫੀਫਾ ਟੂਰਨਾਮੈਂਟ ਦੌਰਾਨ ਹਵਾਈ ਅੱਡੇ 'ਤੇ ਲਗਭਗ 2.7 ਮਿਲੀਅਨ ਮੁਸਾਫ਼ਰਾਂ ਦੇ ਆਉਣ ਦੀ ਉਮੀਦ ਜਤਾਈ ਹੈ ਯਾਨੀ ਰੋਜ਼ਾਨਾ ਦੇ ਹਿਸਾਬ ਨਾਲ ਲਗਭਗ 88,000 ਯਾਤਰੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਵੈਨਕੂਵਰ ਏਅਰਪੋਰਟ ਰਾਹੀਂ ਸਫਰ ਕਰਨ ਦੀ ਸੰਭਾਵਨਾ ਹੈ। ਇਹ ਪਿਛਲੇ ਸਾਲ ਦੇ ਮੁਕਾਬਲੇ 5 ਤੋਂ 10 ਫੀਸਦੀ ਦਾ ਵਾਧਾ ਹੋਵੇਗਾ।

Spectators attending FIFA World Cup matches at Vancouver's BC Place Stadium will no longer be permitted to bring reusable water bottles into the venue under a new policy announced ahead of the tournament. According to FIFA, the restriction was introduced for security reasons. The organization said reusable bottles could potentially be used as projectiles, creating safety risks for spectators, staff, and participants. The change comes just before tournament play begins in Vancouver. BC Place is scheduled to host its first World Cup match on June 13, featuring Australia and Türkiye. FIFA said several other North American tournament venues already prohibit outside bottles. To help spectators manage summer temperatures, the organization said misting stations, cooling tents, and hydration stations will be available outside the stadium, while bottled water will be sold inside the venue. Some fans and environmental advocates have raised concerns about the policy, citing the potential cost of purchasing water inside the stadium and the possibility of increased plastic waste from single-use bottles.