Thousands of Colombians invade Vancouver for FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup went out with a bang in Vancouver on Tuesday.
The seventh and final match scheduled at BC Place was another sellout, as Vancouver delivered a max capacity crowd of 52,497.
It was a sea of yellow at BC Place, as Colombia took on Switzerland in the Round of 16. Colombia brought the energy, as this was the best match atmosphere we saw, not including matches featuring Canada.
Best non-Canada match atmosphere we’ve seen in Vancouver. This is awesome. pic.twitter.com/Y81GBKFbVq
— Rob Williams (@RobTheHockeyGuy) July 7, 2026
Over 90,000 Colombians live in Canada, while another 1.4 million people of Colombian descent live in the United States. There may have been 30,000 people supporting Colombia at BC Place, dwarfing the small but mighty Swiss support.
The vibes were immaculate, even before the game began.
One day earlier, Colombia fans crowded around the team hotel to cheer them on. Players took notice, acknowledging their dedicated supporters from the balcony of the Hyatt Regency.
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The march to the match began on Tuesday morning, from Jonathan Rogers Park, with fans singing songs and waving flags.
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Inside the stadium, Colombian fans were enthusiastic and loud, trying to propel their team to victory. Colombia was looking to make its first quarter-final appearance since 2014.
The match was scoreless after 90 minutes and extra time. Switzerland spoiled the Colombian party, winning 4-3 on penalties, to make their first quarter-final at a men’s World Cup since 1954.
Switzerland spoiled the Colombian party in penalties. (Lucas Medeiros/Offside)
Vancouver was very kind to the Swiss, who won three straight games at BC Place. They beat Canada in the group stage to secure first place, before knocking off Algeria and Colombia in the knockout rounds.
“We played three games here, we won all three. It’s like a second home now, for us,” Swiss captain Granit Xhaka told Daily Hive soccer reporter Har Johal.
“We are really happy because we write history here,” added Swiss striker Breel Embolo. “The people were kind, the hotel where we were, the facility was amazing. We trained where the Whitecaps trained… It will be a special place for us Swiss.”
Quarter-finals are set
There’s just eight teams left (@FIFAWorldCup/X)
Just eight teams remain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The quarter-finals begin Thursday in Boston, with France vs. Morocco, before Spain takes on Belgium Friday in Los Angeles. Saturday will feature two quarter-final matchups, Norway vs. England in Miami, followed by Argentina vs. Switzerland in Kansas City.
Vancouver’s job is done
There are no more matches scheduled in Vancouver, so expect BC Place to go back to looking normal soon. TSN has also shut down its outdoor studio at Jack Poole Plaza.
The party isn’t completely over though. The FIFA Fan Festival will continue at Hastings Park until the final on July 19. Granville Street will continue to be a pedestrianized party zone as well.
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