Toronto: What was meant to be a spectacular celebration of Canada's World Cup debut as a host nation was overshadowed by reports of a technical issue involving a giant World Cup trophy prop during the opening ceremony.

The ceremony, staged ahead of Canada's Group B opener against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto, featured performances from Canadian singer Alessia Cara, Indigenous artist William Prince, and India-based Canadian star Nora Fatehi, who performed the official World Cup song Siir Siir alongside Vegedream and Sanjoy.

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While the performances received applause from fans inside the stadium, social media users were quick to point out two issues that appeared to dampen the spectacle.

Many netizens noted that sections of the stadium appeared visibly empty during the pre-match celebrations, prompting criticism of attendance for an event marking Canada's first-ever FIFA World Cup as a host nation.

However, the biggest talking point came during the unveiling of a giant World Cup trophy prop in the centre of the stadium.

According to numerous videos and posts shared online, organisers appeared to encounter technical difficulties while attempting to display the oversized trophy. Social media users claimed the structure was an inflatable prop and that the mechanism supporting it malfunctioned during the live ceremony.

As the issue became apparent, organisers were reportedly forced to lower the giant trophy before it could be fully showcased to spectators.

Videos of the moment quickly circulated across social media platforms, with many fans expressing disappointment and comparing the incident to previous World Cup opening ceremonies that featured elaborate, large-scale displays.

While FIFA and local organisers had not immediately commented on the incident, online reactions suggested the trophy mishap became one of the most discussed moments of the ceremony.

The unexpected glitch contrasted sharply with the vibrant performances that had otherwise highlighted Canada's multicultural identity and football ambitions. Nora Fatehi's energetic performance of Siir Siir drew loud cheers from the crowd, while Alessia Cara and Elyanna helped create a festival atmosphere ahead of kickoff.