Having a ball: World Cup fan festival arrives in Fort St. John

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — While the games Canada hosts during the FIFA World Cup are much further south, Fort St. John still can take in the experience at Centennial Park.

The two-day FIFA World Cup Fan Experience: Canada Celebrates kicked off at the venue on Thursday, June 11th, with stations throughout the park for fans to celebrate the international soccer event.

Held every four years, the 2026 edition of the tournament will be co-hosted by Canada, the United States and Mexico, with both Toronto and Vancouver showcasing a combined 13 games.

Toward the edge of the grass, near the North Peace Leisure Pool parking lot, was a large screen and stage where people could watch live matches, including the opening game featuring Mexico against South Africa. The viewing area also included a beer garden.

Fort St. John mayor Lilia Hansen was in attendance and told Energeticcity.ca she will enjoy the tournament as a self-proclaimed “soccer mom.”

“I’m loving the groove,” said Hansen. “Being able to come together as a community and just to watch and enjoy and get that excitement of the crowd together just makes it more fun.”

On the other side of the park were various stations where individuals could test their speed, skill, accuracy and power with a soccer ball. 

It brought out families during noon hour, including the Sandoval family, originally from Colombia. They wore their custom-made jerseys to support their squad, which will take part in its seventh World Cup, its first since 2018.

The youngest Sandoval in attendance, Steban Sandoval, said the game in his native country is not just a sport, but a passion, as he finished the session measuring the power of his soccer shots.

“[In Colombia] everyone plays soccer on the streets,” said Sandoval. “You see so many people playing. [It is] their favourite thing.”

At the viewing party on the other end of the park, Paschal Djsaki was among the spectators who erupted as Mexico scored the tournament’s first goal to take an early 1-0 lead.

Originally from Nigeria, he was sporting Canadian colours for the day, and he says seeing the game known internationally as football celebrated in Fort St. John makes it “a big deal.”

“I am happy seeing Canadians in Fort St. John come out to actually watch football,” said Djsaki. “Since I came here, it’s been hockey, hockey, hockey.”

“I’m happy that we’re having something like this. Football is global, it’s all over the world.”

The FIFA World Cup Fan Experience: Canada Celebrates in Fort St. John was announced earlier this year, with the city awarded $50,000 in grant funding to host the events.

It is one of seven communities in B.C. to host the festival, which will include a stop in Tumbler Ridge starting on Monday, June 15th.