Fans honour Koné ahead of Canada-Switzerland match in Vancouver
The Canada World Cup supporters march to BC Place is underway, led by five flag-draped Vancouver police horses, ahead of the noon kickoff in today's crucial match against Switzerland.
Thousands of fans are chanting and singing and have been setting off red smoke canisters on the "last mile" walk to the stadium.
Many are waving No. 8 posters to honour injured Canadian midfielder Ismaël Koné, who suffered a broken leg in last week's Qatar match.
There's much on the line for fans today, including whether Canada gets to enjoy a home-turf advantage in Vancouver again in the knockout rounds.
While Canada is all but certain of reaching the knockout phase after its 6-0 rout of Qatar last Thursday, a win or draw against Switzerland would keep the team on top of the group and bring them back to Vancouver on July 2.
Head coach Jesse Marsch has said he expects to bring captain Alphonso Davies on at some stage today for his tournament debut, after he was absent from Canada's first two group-stage matches due to a hamstring injury.
It's safe to say the Swiss fans will be outnumbered by Canada supporters in BC Place Stadium but it's hard to tell visually.
Both contingents are dressed primarily in red and white, the national colours of both Canada and Switzerland, as they flood into the stadium.
Switzerland's consulate general in Vancouver has been telling Swiss fans on social media to have their red shirts ready, flags packed and "cowbells polished," while urging their team on in trilingual fashion: "Hopp Schwiiz! Hop Suisse! Forza Svizzera!"
Prime Minister Mark Carney, who attended the Qatar game, is scheduled to attend today's match too.
It's the fourth match at BC Place, with the next game involving New Zealand and Belgium on Friday, before the round-of-32 knockout match on July 2, then a round-of-16 knockout on July 7.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 24, 2026.
Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.