TORONTO (AP) — Cyle Larin’s goal not only saved the World Cup opener for Canada on Friday, it gave a bunch of Canadian celebrities a reason to stomp and shout.
“Deadpool” star and Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds, NHL standout Connor McDavid and actor Mike Myers were among the Canadian stars spotted among the announced 43,002 fans at BMO Field for the first men's World Cup match on Canadian soil.
Myers sported a Canada jersey and a red bucket hat. Yeah, baby.
“Mike Myers was here? Oh sweet,” Canada coach Jesse Marsch said. “I saw (music producer) Boi-1da on the TV at one point. I know that there’s a lot of different people that are enjoying the World Cup in Canada, but my job, I’m focused, so lasered in on just making sure that we can give the country a team to be proud of.”
Larin’s late equalizer gave Canada a 1-1 draw with Bosnia, salvaging a day of national pride and joy as Canada earned a point in the World Cup for the first time. Reynolds clapped and shouted along with the rest of the crowd when Larin scored. The stadium was mostly full, with a few open spots in the lower bowl and way up in new, temporary seating.
Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette also was on hand and closed an upbeat opening ceremony with a compelling rendition of “O Canada,” the national anthem.
Canada hosted the Women’s World Cup in 2015, along with the Winter Olympics — twice — and the 1976 Summer Games in Montreal. But this is the first time the men’s World Cup has come to Canada, with 13 matches between Toronto and Vancouver.
Canadian players couldn't see the celebrities but were happy with the atmosphere.
“You know, it wasn't just ‘We’re showing up there for a picnic and a good afternoon,'” defender Alistair Johnston said. “They were fully invested.”
AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup
Canada's Joel Waterman, left and Canada's Tani Oluwaseyi, react after the end of the World Cup Group B soccer match between Canada and Bosnia in Toronto, Friday, June 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Fans of both teams cheer under a FIFA sign in the stands during the World Cup Group B soccer match between Canada and Bosnia, Friday, June 12, 2026, in Toronto. (Sammy Kogan/The Canadian Press via AP)
Alanis Morissette performs the Canadian national anthem during the World Cup Group B soccer match between Canada and Bosnia in Toronto, Friday, June 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) CORRECTION: Corrects spelling of last name to Morissette, not Morisette
SEATTLE (AP) — Ali Abdulla was over the moon when he learned his youth-soccer nonprofit would receive 20 free tickets to the World Cup round of 16 match next month in Seattle. Many of the kids in his African Youth Sports Academy come from low-income, immigrant families, and with ticket prices hovering around $1,000, it was an incredible opportunity for them.
Then the U.S. barred Omar Artan — the first Somali referee set to officiate in the World Cup — from entering the country. Abdulla, himself a former semi-professional soccer player and Somali refugee, wanted to do something in solidarity, and first thought of giving up his position as a volunteer FIFA “ambassador.” But, he said, when he told parents and coaches about his decision, they suggested something even more significant: Give back the tickets.
“They all sent a message saying, ‘We feel heartbroken, we feel betrayed,’” Abdulla told The Associated Press on Friday. “We don’t feel right to go celebrate while the only person in the history of our country (selected to referee the World Cup) is feeling pain and disappointed.”
He added: “I felt so emotional when the parents said that, because to return a one-time opportunity for solidarity with our boy — that made me very proud to lead this organization.”
The free tickets were among 1,400 distributed through a program organized by Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson and the local FIFA World Cup organizing committee. Abdulla himself attended the announcement of the program and recruited about two dozen kids to be part of the mayor's social media video promoting it.
He said learning that his nonprofit was receiving the tickets was “the best news I ever had.” The African Youth Sports Academy, which also offers mentorship and other services, decided to hold a soccer competition to help determine who would receive tickets. The plan was to award the tickets to about a dozen youth, ages 13 to 16, and several of their parents, Abdulla said.
The kids “are very sad, man, very heartbroken,” he said. “We have to teach them to stand up for the right thing.”
Somalia is one of nearly 40 countries whose citizens are banned from coming to the U.S. under the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigration.
Artan, who was named as Africa’s best male referee in 2025, was questioned for 11 hours and denied entry to the U.S. at Miami International Airport last Saturday, despite having been issued a visa. U.S. officials claimed Artan had connections to terror organizations, without offering proof.
He was sent home to a warm welcome from supporters. On Thursday, European soccer body UEFA named him the referee for its Aug. 12 Super Cup match.
The Seattle mayor's office and the local FIFA World Cup organizing committee declined to comment on the nonprofit's decision but confirmed the tickets had been reallocated to another community group: the Somali Health Board, which also sponsors youth soccer. That organization did not immediately return an email seeking comment Friday.
The African Youth Sports Academy's decision was earlier reported by The Seattle Times.
Abdulla, whose day job is working as a transit security officer in Seattle's light rail system, played with the semi-pro Seattle Somali Stars before retiring in 2017. He was set to serve as a volunteer ambassador for the World Cup, welcoming fans and helping them get to the stadium. Now, he said, he won't even watch the games on TV.
Instead, he said, he is focused on another upcoming tournament, which he formerly played and coached in and now organizes: the 28th annual Somali Week, which is bringing teams from Canada, the United Kingdom, Minneapolis and elsewhere to the Seattle suburb of Kent in August.
It draws players of African heritage and others, Abdulla said, and serves as a powerful display of how soccer can unite the community.
AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup
Referee Omar Artan, who was denied entry to the United States, is welcomed by supporters upon his arrival in Mogadishu, Somalia, Wednesday, June 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Farah Abdi Warsameh)
Referee Omar Artan, who was denied entry to the United States, arrives in Mogadishu, Somalia, Wednesday, June 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Farah Abdi Warsameh)
