With just over one month remaining until the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Toronto's stadium aced its dress rehearsal for the biggest tournament in international football, as fans flocked to the ground for a visit from Lionel Messi and Inter Miami on Saturday.

Major League Soccer's Toronto FC recorded their largest-ever attendance at BMO Field for the game, which saw the visitors prevail 4-2, drawing a crowd of 44,828. The match offered Toronto's services and amenities a chance to see how they might perform with similarly large crowds, while also giving fans a taste of what is to come when the venue stages six World Cup matches.

The clash marked the final outing of the local MLS club at the site before the June 11 to July 19 competition, as well as the first time a newly-installed temporary stand was used. The stadium had undergone a $158 million facelift that added 17,000 temporary seats behind the goals to meet World Cup capacity standards.

City officials have said the tournament is expected to bring more than 300,000 visitors to Toronto, with Canada opening their campaign against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Group B on June 12. The co-hosts are also slated to face 2022 hosts Qatar and an always-tough Switzerland side in Vancouver. 

Four-time champions Germany and 2022 World Cup bronze medalists Croatia are scheduled to play one group-stage contest in Toronto as well.