Despite Team Canada losing, both Calgary’s soccer community and Eau Claire Plaza shined during the third watch party held at Eau Claire Plaza for the 2026 World Cup of Soccer.
The match saw a 2-1 Team Canada loss to Switzerland in both countries’ final World Cup Group Stage match.
Streets in and around Calgary’s Eau Claire Plaza were filled with fans wearing red and white. Some were rooting for Switzerland, while most were cheering on Canada for what turned out to be their final game on home soil.
During the first half, Daniel and Thomas Kay, a pair of brothers originally from Vancouver, said they decided to attend the watch party to be a part of the community.
“We just wanted to experience the vibe around Calgary and watch Canada play,” Daniel said.
Thomas, who has attended a handful of watch parties in Vancouver during the tournament, said that Calgary’s parties are good, but not quite like the host city’s.
“Vancouver one’s a lot bigger, and there’s multiple ones. The screen’s a lot bigger and there’s just lots more,” he said.
The pair drove to the watch party and called finding parking tough. They finally got to the plaza 15 minutes after the match started.
Another pair of attendees had better luck, though.
“We got super lucky, there was someone pulling out right close. Thank god,” said Hanna Moore.
Both Moore and Sydney Bonkers, another attendee, called themselves off and on soccer fans and hadn’t been to any of the previous watch parties, but couldn’t miss the opportunity to support Team Canada in the World Cup.
“Coming out and supporting soccer in Canada, it’s important to do that for sports events,” Moore said.
“This one is monumental.”
LWC spoke with some-dozen fans, all hoping for the match to end in either a Canada win or a draw. While that didn’t happen, those attending the watch party still got to celebrate when Promise David scored to bring Canada within one. Also scoring was Switzerland’s Rubén Vargas and Johan Manzambi.
Team Canada will now move into the knockout round and will again take the pitch on Sunday, though it is not yet confirmed if another watch party at Eau Claire will be held.
No matter who ends up playing, a watch party for the World Cup Final will be held on Stephen Avenue on July 19.
