Vancouver's World Cup Summer

The World Cup has brought an incredible atmosphere to Vancouver this summer. One of the highlights was watching Egypt take on New Zealand and seeing Mohamed Salah play in what may be one of his final World Cup appearances. The energy inside the stadium was unforgettable, and Egypt's run throughout the tournament made every match exciting to follow.

Even outside the stadium, the excitement was impossible to miss. I watched Canada take on Qatar from the Vancouver Fan Festival at the PNE, where thousands of supporters gathered despite being far from the action.

Beyond the results, what stayed with me was the life this tournament brought out in Vancouver. The city filled with people from every corner of the world, from FIFA media members working the events to countless fans from Europe, Asia, South America, and beyond. Meeting so many people who had traveled here for the same reason, all carrying the same energy, made the summer feel bigger than football. It was a reminder of how a single event can bring an entire city together.

This tournament has delivered so many memorable moments. Japan's incredible run as one of the competition's dark horses, Canada's historic Round of 16 appearance, and surprising upsets throughout the bracket have made this one of the most enjoyable sporting events I've experienced. It's been amazing watching Vancouver become part of a truly global event.