The spectacular city you must visit to watch the FIFA World Cup in 2026

I’m not easily starstruck. But on my first night in Vancouver, I was rapt to learn that Lionel Messi had stayed in the same hotel just two months before me.

Football’s greatest player, who is expected to feature at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, was based at the Hyatt Regency for an away match with Inter Miami.

Vancouver is, of course, one of many locations in North America you can visit to watch the biggest sporting event on the planet, live and in person, in less than 12 months.

But it’s safe to say most Brits will feel more at home here than in the United States or Mexico.

The Canadians have the same sense of humour as us. They have the same King as us. They even seem to have the same appreciation for Oasis, given their songs seemed to be played whenever my accent is heard in a bar.

If you’re planning a football holiday, there is so much to do here. From whale watching to climbing mountains, seaplanes to grizzly bears, here’s why you should choose Canada’s cool and quirky ‘Rain City’.

Showstopping views and killer whales

The closest I’d been to a seaplane before visiting Vancouver was playing Grand Theft Auto.

And, as a nervous flyer, I was a little terrified when I saw it was the first activity on our itinerary.

My heart was pounding ahead of our flight with Harbour Air, but I had nothing to worry about. The take-off and landing felt smoother than a regular plane, and the views were nothing short of remarkable.

If taking the skies isn’t your bag, one of the coolest things to do in Vancouver is on the water: whale watching.

On a tour with the Prince of Whales, you have the chance to spot orcas and humpback whales, as well as bald eagles soaring overhead, with marine mammal experts on hand to guide and answer questions.

There’s also canoeing with Takaya Tours, where you can paddle tranquil waters with Indigenous guides from the Tsleil-Waututh Nation.

It’s a memorable experience; they’ll sing traditional songs and tell tales from their dark but fascinating past.

Back on dry land, Vancouver’s most visited year-round attraction is Grouse Mountain, where you can enjoy panoramic views from the gondola.

At the top, you’ll be on the lookout for grizzly bears and a slightly less thrilling lumberjack show.

The beautiful game: thriving at every level

As Brits, we’ve come to associate Canada with ice hockey and freezing temperatures.

But that certainly isn’t the case during summertime in Vancouver, where the beautiful game is thriving.

Don’t be put off by the fact they call it soccer, because there is not one but three Vancouver-based football teams to get behind at various levels.

Watching Vancouver FC was the highlight of my trip. They had a hype man called ‘Crazy P’ leading chants from fans with a drum; one is sung to the tune of Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) by Eurythmics.

It was a little like an English non-league match, but with a lot more emphasis on entertainment.

Then there’s Vancouver Rise, one of six founding clubs in a new Canadian professional women’s football league. Their president, Sinead King, is a Brit who played in the academies of Chelsea and Southampton.

You also have the city’s biggest club, the Vancouver Whitecaps, who play in Major League Soccer and regularly pull in crowds of more than 20,000.

The Whitecaps play at the same stunning stadium, BC Place, as Canada’s national side.

That’s where I met ex-player and manager Bob Lenarduzzi, who regaled me with stories of playing against Pele, Johan Cruyff and George Best.

During the World Cup, Vancouver will have a FIFA Fan Festival site at Hastings Park featuring live entertainment in a world-class amphitheatre.

The best places to eat and drink in Vancouver

Much like London, Vancouver is famous for its multiculturalism, which means there are incredible food options to suit every taste and budget.

For a little bit of everything, there’s nothing I recommend more than Vancouver Foodie Tours.

It’s widely rated as one of the world’s greatest food tours, for good reason. It includes some of the best bread, cheese, meats and chocolate you’ll ever put into your mouth. My favourite part was the sugar doughnut at the end.

If you like Japanese food, one place you can’t miss is Tojo’s.

A lot of Olympians have eaten there, as has the Toronto Raptors basketball team. Chef Hidekazu Tojo is even credited with inventing the California roll.

For drinks, head for Havana, a cosy bar serving quirky cocktails and British Columbia craft beers.

Tap & Barrel, meanwhile, is the place to go to experience some of the best local wineries and grab some comfort food.

Liam Grace was a guest of Destination Canada and Destination Vancouver.