Canada has kicked off its FIFA World Cup celebrations in record-breaking fashion after hosting the world’s largest game of human foosball, bringing together hundreds of participants in a unique football-themed event near Toronto. The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) organised the event on May 23 at Humber Polytechnic’s Lakeshore Campus West in Etobicoke, a district in Toronto. The initiative formed part of celebrations leading up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which Canada will co-host alongside the United States and Mexico. Guinness World Records has officially confirmed the attempt as the largest human foosball match ever held. The event attracted 254 participants who took positions on giant horizontal poles designed to replicate the layout of a traditional tabletop foosball game. Players remained attached to the poles while attempting to manoeuvre a football and score goals against the opposing side. Organisers transformed a large outdoor field into an oversized version of the popular table game, creating a spectacle that drew spectators, football fans and community members. World Cup Excitement Builds in Canada The record-breaking event comes as Canada prepares to host matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the first tournament to feature 48 teams and 104 matches. Toronto and Vancouver will serve as Canada’s host cities. Toronto is scheduled to stage six World Cup matches, including Canada’s opening game of the tournament. Officials said the human foosball challenge aimed to generate excitement ahead of the competition while encouraging community participation through sport. Neil Lumsden, Ontario’s Minister of Sport, highlighted the symbolic value of the event. “Soccer is about teamwork, energy and shared experience, and a human foosball Guinness World Records attempt brings those elements to life in a fun and unforgettable way,” he told Guinness World Records. Football has experienced rapid growth across Canada in recent years. Increased participation at youth and community levels, combined with Canada’s qualification for recent World Cups, has helped boost the sport’s popularity nationwide. The country also hopes the 2026 tournament will leave a lasting legacy through improved sporting infrastructure, tourism growth and greater community engagement. Guinness Confirms Historic Achievement Representatives from Guinness World Records reviewed the attempt and later confirmed that organisers had successfully broken the previous mark. The official recognition adds another milestone to the growing list of World Cup-related activities taking place across North America before the tournament begins. Human foosball events have gained popularity worldwide as entertainment attractions and team-building activities. However, organisers say no previous event matched the scale of the Ontario attempt. Participants described the challenge as physically demanding but highly entertaining because players had to coordinate movements while remaining attached to fixed poles, similar to figures in a foosball table. For organisers, the successful record attempt served as both a celebration of football culture and a preview of the enthusiasm expected when the FIFA World Cup arrives in Canada next year. With the countdown to the tournament underway, officials hope similar community-focused events will continue building momentum and inspiring new generations of football fans across the country.
Man Pulls 21,000-Pound Bus With Neck to Break Guinness Record
A 49-year-old strongman from Aruba has earned his 10th Guinness World Records title after pulling a bus weighing more than 21,000 pounds using only his neck. Egmond Molina completed the feat on January 9 by pulling a 21,737-pound bus for more than 65 feet while attached to a rope secured around his neck, Guinness World Records confirmed this week. The achievement officially gave Molina the record for the “heaviest vehicle pulled by the neck,” surpassing the previous mark of 17,769.26 pounds set by Ukrainian athlete Dmytro Hrunskyi in 2024. Guinness World Records said Molina completed the challenge under strict supervision and measurement standards required for official certification. ‘A psychological battle’ Molina described the attempt as physically painful and mentally exhausting because the rope compressed his airway throughout the challenge. “With the rope compressing my airway, I must generate force while carefully controlling my breathing under intense strain,” Molina told Guinness World Records. “It becomes a psychological battle to remain composed while the body is under severe stress,” he added. Video released by Guinness showed Molina leaning forward while slowly dragging the large vehicle across the marked distance. Spectators and officials watched closely as he completed the attempt. Strongman competitions often involve extreme pulling challenges using trucks, buses, planes and trains. However, neck-pulling records remain among the rarest because of the high physical risk involved. Sports experts say such stunts require years of conditioning focused on neck strength, breathing control and body stability. Athletes also train extensively to avoid spinal and muscular injuries. Molina now holds 10 Guinness titles The latest achievement marks Molina’s 10th Guinness World Records title and further strengthens his reputation as one of Aruba’s most unusual sporting figures. His previous records include the fastest 20-meter bus pull with one finger in 33.32 seconds and the fastest 20-meter tram pull with teeth in 39.9 seconds. He also holds records for the fastest hot water bottle burst at 2.87 seconds and the most crown cap bottles opened with both hands in 30 seconds with six bottles. Molina said he dedicates his achievements to his family and the younger generation in Aruba. “My records are a tribute to my people and my family’s enduring legacy,” he said. He also named his children, Nigel, Egmond Junior, Benjamin and Adelinda, while speaking about the inspiration behind his record attempts. Aruba, a small Dutch Caribbean island known mainly for tourism, has produced several athletes in baseball, martial arts and endurance sports. Molina’s Guinness achievements have drawn international attention to the island in recent years. Guinness World Records regularly features extreme strength and endurance challenges, though officials stress that such attempts should only occur under professional supervision and safety protocols.
