Toronto’s Queen Street is known for its vibrant energy, but few could have predicted that a small cannabis shop would become the talk of the town during the FIFA World Cup 2026. The reason? A C$50 bong shaped uncannily like the legendary FIFA World Cup trophy.

A Bong, a Dream, and a Legal Notice

The story began at Cosmic Charlies, a local cannabis shop owned by brothers Sean and Charles Kady. Inspired by the global soccer fever, Canada’s first time hosting the World Cup, Sean saw a chance to put Toronto’s cannabis tourism on the map. The shop stocked a handful of trophy-shaped silicone bongs, hoping to attract soccer fans and bring a playful twist to the city’s World Cup celebrations.

But that dream quickly collided with reality. Just after their first sale of the “World Cup Bong” to an anonymous buyer, the Kadys received a legal notice from FIFA, delivered by lawyers representing the soccer giant in Canada. The message was clear: cease and desist all sales of products resembling FIFA trademarks.

Going Viral, One Bong at a Time

Rather than shrink from the spotlight, Sean embraced the unexpected fame. In a fittingly dramatic act, he destroyed the last remaining World Cup Bong’s with a mallet and scissors, a move more symbolic than sorrowful. “The cost of breaking one bong definitely could never buy me all the PR that we’ve gotten just from carrying this thing for a short period of time,” he mused, noting the viral attention Cosmic Charlies received.

Canada, Cannabis, and the Beautiful Game

This incident highlights more than just a quirky copyright clash; it’s a snapshot of a changing culture. Canada is a pioneer in legal cannabis tourism, unlike its co-hosting neighbors: the US (where cannabis remains federally illegal) and Mexico (where retail sale is still off-limits). The World Cup Bong was an attempt to celebrate both soccer spirit and local cannabis culture.

As Sean put it best, “I’ll never forget the time FIFA gave me a red card.” For Cosmic Charlies, the fleeting existence of the World Cup Bongs was less about selling a product and more about capturing a moment—where cannabis, soccer, and viral fame met on a Toronto street.

Final Whistle

The World Cup Bong may be history, but it’s left an imprint on Toronto’s World Cup journey. Sometimes, it only takes one bold (or bong) move to put a store—and a city—on the world stage.