The massive crowd at Vancouver’s FIFA Fan Festival erupted after Canada defeated South Africa Sunday—the team once again making World Cup history as delighted fans decked out in red and white cheered on the squad. At 1 p.m. PT, the fan festival posted to social media saying “entry will not move to a one-in, one-out system” while also saying ticket holders would not be denied. Just under an hour later, Canada would score a goal, sending the packed amphitheatre into a frenzy of red-and-white streamers and joyful cheers. The FIFA Fan Festival was one of several massive watch party locations at full capacity for the highly anticipated match. In North Vancouver, Canada Soccer House was at capacity by kickoff and patriotic pandemonium broke out when Canada won the match, advancing to the round of 16 for the first time in the team’s history. The Vancouver Police Department also said a viewing party at Jack Poole plaza was also at capacity when Canada scored its winning goal. For many, the fact that the national team was playing its first-ever World Cup knockout match in Los Angeles instead of Vancouver or Toronto comes as a disappointment. Some of that frustration was seemingly on display at the fan festival Sunday, where FIFA president Gianni Infantino was booed whenever he was shown on screen. With files from CTV News Vancouver’s Isabella Zavarise
