Vancouver and Colombia bow out of World Cup, as Swiss get the last hurrah

The FIFA Fan Festival in East Vancouver also emerged as one of the best places in Canada to watch the action outside a stadium, heaving with the energy of fans who have turned the Pacific National Exhibition amphitheatre into a mosh pit for big games.

Switzerland fans had made Vancouver their de facto home base as a result of their team’s three consecutive matches at BC Place.

Swiss fan Paul Wicki, a dual Canadian-Swiss citizen whose father immigrated to Canada 70 years ago, got the opportunity to attend his first World Cup match when he was invited by neighbours.

“The energy, the enthusiasm of Colombian fans … such joy inside the stadium,” he said, cowbell in hand and the white cross flag over his shoulders.

The Swiss were greatly outnumbered, both on the streets and in the stadium.

World Cup volunteers were meanwhile among those reflecting on today’s last match at BC Place, including Javiera Uribe, who was directing people outside the stadium.

She said she was sad Vancouver’s role in the tournament was coming to an end “but obviously nothing lasts forever.”

“That’s why I’m just like taking advantage of the moment and enjoying everything,” said the Vancouver resident.

She said her favourite memory was the way different countries’ supporters would come together to celebrate on Granville Street in the downtown core.

“If they play in the morning and one team wins, and then in the evening another team wins, and in Granville, everyone gets together, everyone’s celebrating, just sharing the cultures between everyone. I think that’s the most memorable part here.”

Fellow volunteer Fahim Mahfuz was in BC Place Stadium for all seven of its matches. He said being pitch-side for the first match between Turkey and Australia was a “surreal experience,” with an Australia player kicking a ball to him.

But every match was different.

“Seven days, seven different experiences for me,” said the Vancouver resident.

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim said on Monday that the World Cup “will help attract future visitors, future investment, future events and future business opportunities.”

“The exposure our city has received can’t be replicated through traditional marketing or tourism campaigns, and our focus is making sure Vancouver captures both the immediate benefits and the long-term opportunities that come from hosting the world’s biggest sporting event.”

While Sim and others have championed the tournament’s benefits, it could be months or years before the economic impact can be properly assessed — including whether Vancouver’s hosting costs of up to $729 million represented good value.

Those costs are being borne by the city, the province and the federal government, which is kicking in $100 million in security funding and $116 million from Sport Canada.

The B.C. government has said a final total for B.C.’s World Cup costs isn’t expected until spring of 2027.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 7, 2026.

— With files by Nono Shen

Brieanna Charlebois, The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

Vancouver and Colombia bow out of World Cup, as Swiss get the last hurrah

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