Soccer fans flocked to the Comox Valley Exhibition Grounds on June 12 to watch Team Canada's opening World Cup match. Photo: Wylie Henderson
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World Cup fever strikes Comox Valley

Wylie Henderson
By Wylie Henderson

A strong case of World Cup fever has reached the Comox Valley.

The Comox Valley Regional District welcomed hundreds of spectators and soccer fans to the Comox Valley Exhibition Grounds on Friday for its Comox Valley Kickoff event to celebrate the first World Cup game in Canada.

Main stage at Comox Valley Exhibition Grounds.
Photo: Wylie Henderson

CVRD recreation commission chair Melanie McCollum thanked the crowd for turning out for the occasion.

“Today is about more than soccer,” McCollum said during opening ceremonies. “It’s about community pride, brining people together and celebrating diversity and experiences that make the Comox Valley such a great place to live.”

Following opening ceremonies, fans gathered to watch Team Canada’s first match of the tournament against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Canadians battled to a 1-1 draw.

Comox Valley soccer fans taking in the action. Photo: Wylie Henderson

Friday’s event also featured several vendors, live music and food.

The good vibes didn’t stop after Canada’s match, the crowd was invited to stay for a community celebration and a screening of Team USA’s match against Paraguay.

Wylie Henderson
Wylie Henderson
Wylie is news director for Vancouver Island, bringing more than a decade of broadcast experience to the role. A Vancouver native, he moved to the Island in 2025 with his wife and stepdaughter after a long run on the airwaves in the Kootenays. He is committed to delivering timely, reliable and community-focused news to listeners across the region. A lifelong Vancouver Canucks and B.C. Lions fan, Wylie is just as comfortable breaking down a game as he is breaking down a news story. Away from the newsroom, he can often be found on the golf course, cycling or lacing up his skates for a game of hockey. For Wylie, keeping listeners informed about what matters locally is more than a job, it’s a passion.

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