World Cup 2026: Ronaldo mania grips Canada as fans swarm hotels, buses and streets

World Cup 2026: Ronaldo mania grips Canada as fans swarm hotels, buses and streets describes how Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival in Toronto sparked an unusually intense buildup around Portugal’s team. The article says the welcome began on Canada Day, with fans trying to catch a glimpse of the team bus; Highway 427 was shut down as supporters chased it, while thousands gathered outside the squad’s downtown hotel. At the airport, fans rushed the moment Ronaldo touched down in Portugal’s red and green. On match day against Croatia, Toronto’s Portuguese community—about 448,000 people of Portuguese origin—helped drive a citywide takeover in the hours before kickoff. Portugal won 2-1 in the Round of 32, with Ronaldo scoring a penalty and celebrating with his signature routine. The piece also notes that fans paid thousands of dollars to attend the match.