Kitchener celebrates FIFA World Cup 2026 with watch parties and soccer

Canada Celebrates brings FIFA World Cup 2026 celebration to downtown Kitchener

FIFA World Cup 2026 celebration in downtown Kitchener

Soccer fans gathered near city hall in downtown Kitchener on Saturday for a FIFA World Cup 2026 celebration.

The celebration was brought to Kitchener by Canada Celebrates, a first-of-its-kind program travelling across the country.

Starting at 3 p.m., fans had the opportunity to participate in soccer-themed activities, such as taking shots on net and even playing a full-on soccer game in front of city hall.

There was live music playing, as Toronto-based band Reggaddiction took to the stage and food trucks lined the streets.

At 5 p.m. Norway took on England, with England winning the match 2-1. At 9 p.m. Argentina and Switzerland played in their quarterfinal game with Argentina winning the match 3-1.

Watch parties were also being held at the Kitchener Market and the Gaslight District in Cambridge this weekend.

Celebrate Canada will have up to 40 stops in different communities throughout the country.

FIFA launched the program because Canada is one of the host countries this year, marking the first year Canada has hosted a men's FIFA World Cup.

Canada hosted 13 matches of the FIFA tournament in Toronto and Vancouver.

Lauren Kuivenhoven is an reporter at CBC K-W. She loves hearing from the community and is open to stories at lauren.kuivenhoven@cbc.ca.