WATCH: FIFA Congress in Vancouver met with protests

VANCOUVER — Hundreds of football executives were in town Thursday to take part in the FIFA Congress.

With all eyes on the city, many protestors seized the opportunity to draw attention to their particular causes.

Things kicked off bright and early with a "Save the Caps" rally organized by the Southsiders, supporters of the club that's called Vancouver home for over 50 years

They urged owners to keep the team amid rumours it could be sold and re-located.

When asked if there was anyone in particular he and his crew would like the message to reach, Southsiders Creative Director Nicholas Naughton-Rumbo said MLS Commissioner Don Garber.

"I'd love him to come out and look at people and see that there's people behind this — people that really care about this club," he added. "Have a look at this and then come and tell me that this club needs to move to Las Vegas."

Not long after the Caps fans departed, a group of Iranians flagged the human rights abuses being committed against innocent civilians in Iran by the Islamic Republic regime, and urged FIFA not to let Iran compete in the World Cup.

"Hey FIFA, hey FIFA — no deal with terrorists!" they chanted.

In an interview with Sitka Media, one Iranian-Canadian not affiliated with the organizers — Mamooriat Baraye Vatanam — warned that uninviting Iran would allow regime leaders to play victim, and potentially backfire. He suggested FIFA let Iran play, noting that, "the crowd will boo them."

Later on in the evening, a coalition of protestors made their way through downtown accusing FIFA of "genocide" and suggesting the World Cup was being hosted on "stolen land."

There were a number of pro-Palestinian protestors in attendance, one of whom called out FIFA president Gianni Infantino for trying to get the Israeli and Palestinian delegations to shake hands at the FIFA Congress.

"Can you imagine if someone did that to a Ukrainian delegation — trying to make them shake hands with a Russian?" he said, pointing out that while FIFA immediately condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine, little has been said about Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza.

Further up the block in front of the Pan Pacfic, a group of hotel workers gathered to demand fair wages as Vancouver's hospitality sector prepare for the influx of tourists coming to Vancouver for the World Cup.

"They are underpaid, overworked, and FIFA will put more pressure on the workers," she warned.