Toronto is hosting Portugal vs. Croatia today, July 2, 2026, as its final match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The game is a crucial knockout-round encounter, with Portugal needing a win to advance. Live updates are being provided by CP24.com Staff.
Match Details and Fan Excitement
The match is being played at BMO Field, with kickoff scheduled for 3:00 PM EDT. Fans have been lining up since early morning, showing strong support for Portugal, whose team arrived and trained in Toronto earlier this week. The Little Portugal neighborhood is gearing up for what locals call a 'do or die' match, with many businesses displaying Portuguese flags and offering specials.
Heat Forces Cancellation of Public Screenings
Due to extreme heat, World Cup screenings at Nathan Phillips Square have been cancelled. A heat warning is in effect for the Toronto area, with humidex values nearing 42. Officials advise fans to stay hydrated and seek shade. The dangerous heat has also led to alerts across much of Ontario and Quebec, with the heat wave tracking east to the Maritime provinces.
Other News in Toronto
In other local news, a stabbing in Scarborough sent two people to hospital. Meanwhile, Toronto-area innovators are helping a deafblind woman summit Mount Everest. A man has been convicted of murdering his wife days after he arrived in Canada. The Algeria coach will go up against his former team Switzerland in the World Cup knockout round.
National and International Headlines
Canada Day celebrations led to a call to action ahead of an Alberta separation vote. Sweltering heat continues in Ottawa as cleanup from record-smashing rainfall begins. Youth under 18 can ride OC Transpo for free this summer. REM service was disrupted between McGill and Bois-Franc. The Oilers traded defenceman Darnell Nurse to the Sharks and signed blueliner Ryan Shea. Carney's trip to Alberta was cancelled as Ottawa thunderstorms grounded a plane. Heat warnings were issued across the Maritimes. Canadians drummed up from coast to coast in a bid to break a world record. A Whyte Ridge storm was confirmed as a tornado, and a Rossburn tornado rating was upgraded. Two suspects were arrested in connection with a downtown Winnipeg shooting. Thousands attended a Canada Day celebration in Wascana Park. A Regina Elvis tribute artist is making fans. A brewery in Guelph closed for a few days following a fire. Older adults can ride Grand River Transit for free one day per week. A service dog received a diploma alongside a Saskatoon high school graduate. Prince Albert police are investigating the death of a 2-month-old infant. Cleanup is underway after 118 mm of rain hit Ottawa on Canada Day. Heat warnings persist in London and surrounding areas. There was a heavy police presence on Talbot Street in St. Thomas. Ontario power companies responded to a large-scale blackout. Thousands were blacked out after Barrie and central Ontario thunderstorms. The Roseland condo development is moving forward following rezoning approval. Windsor residents are reminded of rules for setting off fireworks. Victoria police say a pedestrian was seriously injured in a hit-and-run crash. A man charged in an 'unprovoked assault' on a Vancouver beach was released from custody. New Canadians celebrated their first Canada Day as citizens. Carney emphasized the country's unity in a Canada Day address. Facing barbs and pressure from Trump, Europe's leaders are closing ranks. An 11-year-old boy driving a pickup truck crashed into a group of Thai monks, killing 8.
Politics and Business
An ambassador says Carney's Davos speech is being put into practice at the UN. James Moore comments on what Canada is getting right in 2026. PM Carney discussed 'serious immediate priorities' with Inuit leaders. Paramount offered EU remedies to greenlight a Warner deal. A Trump filing shows he took in about US$1.2 billion from crypto businesses last year. Victor Dodig succeeds Darren Entwistle as Telus CEO after more than 25 years at the helm.
Health and Science
Flavoured noodles have been linked to more than 100 salmonella infections in Europe. A new Canadian pediatric diagnostic device can conduct 9 common medical assessments. Self-isolation ends for travellers exposed to a hantavirus-stricken cruise ship. A large, harmless asteroid will zip past Earth this weekend. TikTok settled with a U.S. teenager ahead of a social media addiction trial. The most controversial fossil site in human evolution just got even more puzzling.
Entertainment and Sports
Why 'The World's Most Famous Arena' makes sense for Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce. Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are to host their wedding Friday at Madison Square Garden, according to an AP source. Controversial rap group Kneecap played a secret gig in Berlin. Tennis outfits have always been outrageous, kind of. FIFA says the World Cup sees a 13-fold surge in online abuse, 11% racially motivated. World Cup fans are suing StubHub over cancelled tickets.
Lifestyle and Climate
Japan's Eiko Kadono, author of 'Kiki's Delivery Service,' still believes in the magic of books at 91. The Oxford English Dictionary added new Canadian-inspired words in a recent update. Italy displays paintings from an ancient Etruscan tomb. Extreme heat can harm fans, according to experts. Dangerous heat blankets Canada as alerts remain in effect.
