LIVE UPDATES: TTC warns of afternoon streetcar delays due to expected World Cup marches in downtown Toronto

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Toronto will host its second FIFA World Cup game tonight.

The 34th-ranked Panama will face 73rd-ranked Ghana for their 2026 tournament debut. Their Group L competitors also include heavyweights England and Croatia, who will play in Dallas, Texas this afternoon.

Ghana has lost four of its last five friendly matches. Meanwhile, Panama came away with two wins and two draws over its last five exhibition matches.

Panama’s fans will gather in Trinity Bellwoods Park before marching to Coronation Park at 3 p.m. A march in support of the Black Stars, the nickname for the African nation’s soccer squad, is scheduled to depart from Stanley Park at 4:15 p.m.

The TTC is warning that the marches could cause major rush-hour delays.

CTV News Toronto will have live updates leading up to and following kickoff at 7 p.m.

Follow along here:

11:30 a.m.– Fan marches could cause streetcar delays

There are two major fan marches planned for downtown Toronto this afternoon ahead of a FIFA World Cup match between Ghana and Panama and TTC officials are warning of streetcar delays as a result.

The Panama fan march is scheduled to head southbound on Strachan Avenue. The Ghana supporters will start marching 45 minutes later, and are expected to head westbound on King Street before travelling southbound on Strachan Avenue.

TTC spokesperson Susan Nguyen says that anyone taking either the 501 Queen or 504 King streetcars this afternoon “should be prepared” for delays along those routes.

“We are keeping a close eye on the crowd movements there and will make service adjustments as needed to keep customers moving but do expect delays there or plan your trip outside of the 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. hours,” Nguyen told CP24.

“You can also bypass it completely by taking the 509 Harbourfront or 511 Bathurst streetcars to get downtown.”

- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer for CP24 and CTV News Toronto

11:20 a.m. – Ghanaian royalty arrives at Sankofa Square

The Asante King, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has arrived at Sankofa Square ahead of Ghana’s match against Panama.

One of Ghana’s many recognized kings, this is Osei Tutu II’s first-ever visit to Canada.

Members of Canada’s Ghanaian diaspora and fans of the Black Stars cheered as the king and his entourage arrived Wednesday morning.

Flanked by security personnel and officials in ceremonial dress, Osei Tutu II walked slowly through the crowd under the shade of a colourful umbrella as drums and chanting broke out.

- Phil Tsekouras, CTV News Toronto Journalist

11:15 a.m – Ghana’s king to make first appearance in Canada

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has never visited Canada before and members of Canada’s Ghanaian diaspora said they are anxiously awaiting his arrival.

“This means a lot, as a first-generation Ghanaian-Canadian, being here in the city of Toronto, growing up and living here, seeing the king for the first time is such a historical moment,” Lorna Antwi told CP24 at Sankofa square.

- Phil Tsekouras, CTV News Toronto Journalist

11 a.m. - Road closures in effect at 2 p.m.

Much of the area surrounding Toronto Stadium at Exhibition Place and the FIFA Fan Festival at Fort York will be closed to motorists at 2 p.m.

The city has shut down Lake Shore Boulevard West from Bathurst Street to British Columbia Road.

This closure will take effect on all of Toronto’s game days, starting five hours before kickoff and ending three hours after the final whistle. Roads are expected to reopen at midnight on Wednesday.

Manitoba Drive and most of Strachan Avenue will also be closed on match days. Traffic between Dufferin and Strachan is limited to local traffic only.

On non-match days, road closures and restrictions will be limited to the area of the FIFA Fan Festival.

According to the city, World Cup activity could add up to 15 per cent more vehicles to downtown roads, with impacts increasing significantly on match days.

- Phil Tsekouras, CTV News Toronto Journalist

10:45 a.m. - ‘Heavy downpours’ possible tonight

“Pack a poncho.”

That’s the advice from CP24 Metrologist Bill Coulter as Toronto gets set to host its second of six World Cup games.

Coulter says that while this afternoon will see a mix of sun and cloud with only the “odd isolated shower,” it’s possible that there will be more “consistent scattered showers” once the match featuring Ghana and Panama gets underway at 7 p.m.

That is because a storm system is taking “direct aim” at the city, with heavier downpours and the risk of thunderstorms expected after the game ends and lasting until the early morning hours.

“The game will probably be OK with just some light showers but after the game if you are out reveling because your team won or are just in the World Cup spirit and want to keep things going late into the night well you have to keep in mind that heavy downpours with embedded strong thunderstorms are expected from 11:30 p.m. through 3 or 4 a.m. and then we will still see a few lingering showers and thunderstorms until about 8 a.m.,” Coulter says.

Coulter says that the weather in the leadup to the match will be much more favourable for soccer fans with mostly sunny skies and a daytime high of 24 C that will feel like 28 with the humidity.

Environment Canada says total rainfall amounts tonight will range from 20 to 30 millimetres with the potential for winds that could gust up to 50 km/h.

- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer for CP24 and CTV News Toronto

10:30 a.m. - Game day transit 101

The TTC says taking transit to Toronto Stadium or the FIFA Fan Festival is your “best bet” on game day.

Spokesperson Susan Nguyen says the closest transit stop to the action is at its Fleet Hub, located on Fleet Street between Strachan Avenue and Fort York Boulevard.

“That’s roughly about five minutes away from the FIFA Fan Festival and 10 minutes from the Toronto Stadium. So, this is acting as our primary pickup and drop off for all our transit connections there,” she said.

The TTC says it’s introduced extra train, streetcar and bus service to help fans navigate the city. Additional TTC staff members, all of whom will be wearing bright red TTC jerseys, will be on hand to help guide riders.

Nguyen said delays are expected on Queen and King streets later today due to the fan marches.

Metrolinx says trains on the Lakeshore East and West lines will be running on a 15-minute schedule for most of the day.

Late night service is also being extended on the Lakeshore West line with trains departing Union and Exhibition stations at 12:47 a.m. and 12: 55 a.m., respectively. The last UP Express train from Union Station will depart at 1:45 a.m.

- Phil Tsekouras, CTV News Toronto Journalist

10 a.m. – Watch parties across the Greater Toronto Area

Several watch parties are scheduled to take place in the Greater Toronto Area for Wednesday’s match.

In addition to the watch party at Sankofa Square, fans can also catch the action at FIFA Fan Festival at Fort York and the Bentway. The event is ticketed, but admission is free and passes are still available at time of writing. Gates open at 2:30 p.m.

Watch parties are also scheduled to take place at Celebration Square in Mississauga, at the Ajax Fan Zone at Pat Bayly Square, and at a place dubbed “Africa Village” at Downsview Park in Toronto. All of the events are free.

- Phil Tsekouras, CTV News Toronto Journalist