Through My Lens: experiencing the World Cup in Toronto

Publicado em 7 de julho de 2026 por Jornal de Toronto em Destaque, Edição #106, Esportes // 1 comentário

Neena Channan captured the FIFA World Cup 2026 for “Jornal de Toronto”

Canada vs Bosnia-Herzgovina at FIFA World Cup. Photo: Neena Channan.

Neena Channan is a journalist, photographer and correspondent for Jornal de Toronto at the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Toronto

The moment I stepped into the stadium with my camera over my shoulder, I knew this assignment would be unlike any other. Covering the FIFA World Cup in Toronto wasn’t just about photographing football/soccer—it was about recording history as it unfolded one frame at a time.

With every click of the shutter where I captured the action on the pitch, I was also drawn to the emotions in the crowd. Fathers and daughters, strangers, grandparents with their children and grandchildren, supporters proudly wrapped in their national flags. Toronto and Canada’s diversity turned the stadium into a meeting place for the world. Dozens of languages coming together into cheers and jubilation for the winning teams’ hugs and support for the losing teams.

Ghana vs Panama at FIFA World Cup. Photo: Neena Channan.

Germany vs Cote d’Ivoire at FIFA World Cup. Photo: Neena Channan.

Panama vs Croatia at FIFA World Cup. Photo: Neena Channan.

Senegal vs Iraq at FIFA World Cup. Photo: Neena Channan.

Photographing the Word Cup was my way of capturing fleeting moments that will never happen again. Whether it was witnessing Cristiano Ronaldo’s final goal of a World Cup, or the Croatian team tossing Luka Modrić in the air celebrating his 200^th cap (one of only 4 men to have achieved that status) and his retirement from international play, the excitement of watching Croatia and their very vocal supporters, seeing the flag of Brazil at the Portugal game.

Portugal vs Croatia at FIFA World Cup. Photo: Neena Channan.

But the most exciting of it all was watching Team Canada. Scoring their first ever goal in World Cup, earning their first ever point in World Cup, the immense support by all the people of Canada.

The games are not over, but Toronto’s time as one of the co-host cities of World Cup 2026 has come to an end. I hope you enjoy some of what I captured as the beautiful game brought people together.