Alistair Johnston Hails Toronto Crowd After Canada’s World Cup Draw

Alistair Johnston, Celtic defender, said the Toronto crowd lifted Canada in their World Cup opener against Bosnia and Herzegovina, which ended 1‑1 and gave Canada its first point at a men’s World Cup in seven attempts. Johnston noted that many of the players grew up in the Greater Toronto Area, adding a personal connection to the venue. He has previously covered Raptors, Leafs, Toronto FC and Buffalo Bills games while crossing the northern border. Red and white smoke rose from tailgaters on the Gardiner Expressway four hours before kickoff, creating a sight not seen in two decades. Johnston estimated the stadium crowd was about an 85‑15 split between Canadian and Bosnian supporters. The match took place at Toronto Stadium, which is called BMO Field when hosting Toronto FC fixtures. Johnston said the environment felt normal despite a larger media presence, and he praised the fans for keeping the atmosphere high. He added that if Vancouver can replicate Toronto’s noise, it could give the team a special edge in the next two group matches. Urania Fuentes travelled from Edmonton with her partner Robin and called the experience huge for Canadian supporters. Bryan Williams and Dave Lozon arrived from Ottawa with their children Milo and Wells, describing the day as a family moment. Dwayne and his son Zachary, who kept their surnames private, expressed excitement about sharing the historic occasion. A screenshot credit to Nick Mendola appears alongside the coverage. The collective fan energy highlighted the significance of Canada hosting a World Cup match.