For travelling supporters, the value of a World Cup city is not limited to the fixture list. Fan zones, concerts and informal meetings between rival supporters can shape the memories that last longest.
Vancouver appears to be offering that kind of experience. Its relaxed character has not been overwhelmed by the tournament; instead, the football occasion seems to have added another layer to the city’s identity.
That balance matters. A host city can feel polished and highly organised while still losing its personality. Vancouver’s appeal, reports suggest, lies in doing the opposite: bringing people together without abandoning its easygoing spirit.
Riebl, the co-founder and frontman of The Cat Empire, offered a particularly vivid example after performing for a lively crowd of Canadians and Australians.
He later unfolded a Canadian flag carrying the words “20 years, 20 shows”, a gesture linked to the band’s long relationship with the city. Asked to explain his affection for Vancouver, his answer was brief rather than rehearsed: “Vancouver, it's... it's the vibe.”
It is an instinctive description, but one that fits the wider mood. The city’s World Cup experience is being shaped as much by music, hospitality and public celebration as by football itself.
There may still be a narrow football reason for Australian supporters to hope for another Vancouver visit. The report says Australia could return if the Socceroos finish third in their group, although that route remains slim and unconfirmed.
For now, the city itself is the attraction. As the group stages develop, the next storyline will be whether Australia gets another match in Vancouver - or whether Riebl’s “vibe” becomes the tournament’s lasting memory there.