Thousands descend on LeBreton Flats in Ottawa for Canada-Morocco watch party

Canada soccer fans descend on LeBreton Flats in Ottawa to watch the Round of 16 match against Morocco. (Andrew Adlington/CTV News Ottawa)

Thousands of people are descending on Ottawa to watch the Canadian men’s soccer team take on Morocco in a historic match at the FIFA World Cup on Saturday.

A free watch party taking place at LeBreton Flats is hosting up to 20,000 people at the site with four screens allowing fans to see the game.

Fans could already be seen packing the site in red, white and black under a hot, humid summer day in the nation’s capital.

The event is being hosted by the Government of Canada in partnership with the City of Ottawa. Admission is free and available on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to the venue reaching capacity.

Atlético Ottawa will host a watch party for those who hold tickets for their game against Cavalry FC at TD Place. Dozens of restaurants and pubs across the city will be airing the historic match.

It’s the first time Canada will play in a Round of 16 World Cup match after placing second in the group stage and defeating South Africa in the Round of 36.

The loser of today’s match will be eliminated from the tournament, while the winner will move on to the quarter finals against either Paraguay or France.

Canada vs. Morocco live updates here. This story will be updated.

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