Panama vs Croatia: FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L Guide — BMO Field, Toronto
The Stadium
BMO Field sits on the western waterfront of Toronto, tucked between Lake Shore Boulevard and Lake Ontario on the Exhibition Place grounds. Opened in 2007 as a purpose-built football ground — the first in Canada to be constructed specifically for soccer — it was home to Toronto FC from day one and has grown in stature with the sport itself. A major expansion completed in 2016 brought it to its current configuration, adding a roof structure that wraps the upper tier and sharpens the atmosphere considerably compared to its open-air origins.
The stadium is a tight, vertically stacked design. Sightlines are close to the pitch, which rewards the kind of tight, technical game a Croatia side built on midfield precision tends to produce. For Panama, whose supporters travel in colour and volume, the acoustic qualities of the covered stand should help any pocket of Canalero fans punch above their numerical weight.
For FIFA World Cup 2026, BMO Field is one of the Canadian venues sharing hosting duties with cities across the United States and Mexico. Matchday 2 of Group L on 23 June 2026 is a pivotal fixture — results elsewhere in the group will already be known, and both Panama and Croatia will arrive understanding exactly what they need from this game. That clarity tends to produce football worth watching.
The venue has previously hosted international friendlies, CONCACAF competitions, and Canadian Premier League and MLS fixtures. It is not a stadium with a World Cup past — the 2026 tournament marks its first FIFA World Cup matches — but it is a ground with a genuine football culture embedded in it, which matters.
Getting There
BMO Field is well connected for a stadium its size, though fans should expect significant crowd management on matchday given the scale of the World Cup operation.
By public transit: The TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) is the most practical option. From Union Station, the 509 Harbourfront streetcar runs west along the waterfront and stops close to Exhibition Place. Journey time from Union Station is roughly 15 to 20 minutes under normal conditions; allow more on matchday. The 511 Bathurst streetcar also provides access from Bathurst Station on the Bloor–Danforth subway line.
From the city centre: Union Station is the logical hub. From the Financial District and downtown hotels, the waterfront is walkable in around 25 to 35 minutes along Queens Quay — a pleasant route in late June. Rideshare apps drop off on Lake Shore Boulevard.
From Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ): The UP Express train connects Pearson to Union Station in approximately 25 minutes, running every 15 minutes. From Union Station, take the streetcar west as above. Total journey from the airport terminal to the stadium gate is typically under an hour.
Driving and parking: Lake Shore Boulevard access will likely be restricted on matchday. Exhibition Place has on-site parking lots, but these fill quickly and are best pre-booked through official channels. Park-and-ride from suburban TTC stations is a more reliable strategy.
Travelling From Home Country of Each Team
For Panama fans: Panama City is served by Tocumen International Airport (PTY), which has direct connections to Toronto Pearson via several carriers. Flight time is approximately five to six hours. Panama fans based in North America — a large diaspora community exists across the United States — will find connections through major US hubs straightforward. Toronto has an established Latin American community, so Spanish speakers will feel at home navigating the city.
For Croatia fans: Zagreb Airport (ZAG) does not currently offer direct scheduled service to Toronto; most routing goes via London Heathrow, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, or other major European hubs. Total travel time from Zagreb to Toronto, including connection, is typically in the range of 12 to 16 hours depending on the layover. Toronto Pearson is well equipped for transatlantic arrivals. Croatia has a significant diaspora in Canada — Toronto’s Croatian community is one of the largest outside Europe — meaning some fans will already be in place.
Tickets
Official ticket sales for FIFA World Cup 2026 are managed exclusively through FIFA’s ticketing platform at FIFA.com. Demand for all group stage matches at Canadian venues is expected to be substantial, particularly given the host-nation enthusiasm that has built around the tournament. Matchday 2 fixtures, where group standings begin to crystallise, tend to attract fans from both competing nations as well as neutral attendees.
If the official allocation is exhausted, FIFA’s official resale platform is the safest secondary option and should be the first port of call before exploring third-party marketplaces. Be cautious with unofficial sellers — counterfeit and invalid tickets have been a persistent issue at major tournaments. Prices on the secondary market for group stage matches at World Cups typically carry a significant premium over face value, though the exact scale will depend on how the group standings look going into Matchday 2.
Fans who cannot secure tickets should not rule out the matchday experience outside the ground — see the fan zones section below.
Fan Zones and City Guide
FIFA typically establishes official fan zones in host cities during the World Cup, offering free live screenings, entertainment, and food and drink for ticketless fans and those looking to extend the matchday experience. Toronto’s fan zone location for 2026 had not been officially confirmed at the time of writing, but Nathan Phillips Square in front of City Hall and Harbourfront Centre are among the public spaces most frequently used for major outdoor events in the city. Check FIFA.com and the City of Toronto’s official channels as the tournament approaches.
For Panama supporters: The Latin Quarter along Dundas Street West and the surrounding Kensington Market area have a vibrant, informal atmosphere and a concentration of bars likely to screen the match. Look for venues advertising Latin American football coverage.
For Croatia supporters: Toronto’s Croatian community is centred in parts of the west end. The Bloor Street West corridor has long-established community venues that will almost certainly be packed for a Croatian World Cup fixture.
If you’re arriving a day early, three things worth doing:
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The Waterfront and Harbourfront Centre — A walk along Queens Quay from Union Station to the stadium gives you the measure of the city and, on a June evening, is genuinely enjoyable. The Harbourfront Centre has regular programming worth checking.
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Distillery District — A 15-minute walk or short streetcar ride east of the downtown core, this restored Victorian industrial complex has good restaurants and bars in a compact, pedestrian-friendly setting.
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CN Tower and Ripley’s Aquarium — Unavoidable, but for good reason. The observation deck offers a full panorama of the city and the lake. Book ahead; queues are long in summer.
Watch the Match Remotely
If you can’t make it to BMO Field, don’t miss the game. For broadcaster information by country, live stream options, and a full tactical preview of what to expect from both Panama and Croatia in this critical Group L encounter, visit the link below.
Full preview and where to watch
FAQ
- Where is Panama vs Croatia being played?
- Panama vs Croatia is being played at BMO Field in Toronto, Canada. The match is FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L, Matchday 2, scheduled for Tuesday 23 June 2026.
- How many fans does BMO Field hold?
- BMO Field's current capacity following its 2016 expansion is in the region of 30,000, though the exact configured capacity for FIFA World Cup 2026 fixtures may differ based on tournament seating arrangements. Check FIFA.com for confirmed figures.
- How do I get to BMO Field from Toronto city centre?
- The easiest route is the 509 Harbourfront streetcar from Union Station, which takes roughly 15 to 20 minutes under normal conditions. Union Station is also the terminus for the UP Express from Pearson Airport. Alternatively, the walk along the waterfront from downtown takes around 25 to 35 minutes and is a pleasant option in good June weather.
- Can I still buy tickets for Panama vs Croatia?
- Official tickets are sold exclusively through FIFA's ticketing platform at FIFA.com. If the primary allocation is sold out, use FIFA's official resale portal before turning to third-party sites. Availability for any World Cup group stage match close to the event date cannot be guaranteed, and secondary market prices typically exceed face value.
- What is there to do in Toronto for football fans?
- Toronto's waterfront area near BMO Field is a natural gathering point on matchday. The Distillery District and Kensington Market offer good bar and restaurant options for pre-match. For Croatian diaspora fans, the west end of the city has established community venues. Latin American bars along Dundas Street West are likely focal points for Panama supporters. The CN Tower observation deck and Harbourfront Centre are worthwhile stops if you have time the day before the match.