Co-hosts, rising stars, and a nation ready to take the next step on home soil
CANADA 🇨🇦
FIFA World Cup 2026 – Group B
The Big Picture
Canada enters the 2026 FIFA World Cup as one of the three host nations alongside the United States and Mexico. For the Canucks, this will be their third appearance at the tournament after Mexico 1986 and Qatar 2022.
Backed by passionate home support and led by Jesse Marsch, Canada’s mission is clear: win its first-ever World Cup match and push beyond the group stage for the first time.
Coach
Jesse Marsch was appointed Canada head coach in May 2024. A former Major League Soccer player and one of the most recognizable American coaches of his generation, Marsch brings intensity, pressing principles, and international experience to the Canadian project.
After coaching CF Montréal, the New York Red Bulls, Red Bull Salzburg, RB Leipzig, and Leeds United, Marsch now leads a talented Canadian squad into a home World Cup with enormous expectations.
Group B Schedule
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| June 12 | Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina | Toronto Stadium |
| June 18 | Canada vs Qatar | BC Place Vancouver |
| June 24 | Switzerland vs Canada | BC Place Vancouver |
Road to 2026
Canada qualified automatically as a co-host of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, along with the United States and Mexico. The expanded 48-team tournament gives the Canucks a historic chance to make their mark in front of their own fans.
World Cup History
- Confederation: Concacaf
- World Cup appearances: 3
- Best result: Group Stage
- Last appearance: Qatar 2022 – Group Stage
- First appearance: Mexico 1986
- Current qualification streak: 2 consecutive World Cups
- All-time World Cup record: 6 matches, 0 wins, 0 draws, 6 losses, 2 goals scored, 12 conceded
The First World Cup
Canada made its World Cup debut in Mexico 1986 after topping its qualifying group ahead of Guatemala and Haiti. Drawn into a difficult group with France, the Soviet Union, and Hungary, the Canucks lost all three matches but earned respect with a narrow 1-0 defeat to Michel Platini’s France.
The Last World Cup
At Qatar 2022, Canada returned to the World Cup for the first time in 36 years after finishing first in Concacaf qualifying. Despite strong performances, the Canucks lost to Belgium, Croatia, and Morocco in a difficult group.
The historic highlight came against Croatia, when Alphonso Davies scored Canada’s first-ever World Cup goal with a powerful header just 67 seconds after kickoff.
Players to Watch
- Alphonso Davies – Canada’s superstar, captain, and first-ever World Cup goalscorer.
- Jonathan David – Clinical striker and one of the most dangerous forwards in Concacaf.
- Tajon Buchanan – Explosive winger with pace and creativity.
- Stephen Eustáquio – Midfield organizer with European experience and tactical intelligence.
Greatest World Cup Moment
Canada’s most iconic World Cup moment came on November 27, 2022, at Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan. Alphonso Davies rose above Croatia’s defense to score the first World Cup goal in Canadian men’s national team history.
Although Croatia eventually won 4-1, Davies’ goal became a milestone for Canadian soccer and a symbol of the country’s rapid rise on the international stage.
2026 Expectations
Canada has never won a World Cup match, but with elite attacking talent and the energy of a home crowd, 2026 could be the tournament where the Canucks finally make history.
CANADA
Goalkeepers
- #1 Dayne St. Clair (Inter Miami CF, United States)
- #16 Maxime Crépeau (Orlando City SC, United States)
- #18 Owen Goodman (Barnsley, England)
Defenders
- #2 Alistair Johnston (Celtic, Scotland)
- #3 Alfie Jones (Middlesbrough FC, England)
- #4 Luc de Fougerolles (FCV Dender EH, Belgium)
- #5 Joel Waterman (Chicago Fire FC, United States)
- #13 Derek Cornelius (Rangers FC, Scotland)
- #15 Moïse Bombito (OGC Nice, France)
- #19 Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich, Germany)
- #22 Richie Laryea (Toronto FC, Canada)
- #23 Niko Sigur (Hajduk Split, Croatia)
Midfielders
- #6 Mathieu Choinière (LAFC, United States)
- #7 Stephen Eustaquio (LAFC, United States)
- #8 Ismaël Koné (Sassuolo, Italy)
- #14 Jacob Shaffelburg (LAFC, United States)
- #17 Tajon Buchanan (Villarreal, Spain)
- #20 Ali Ahmed (Norwich City, England)
- #21 Jonathan Osorio (Toronto FC, Canada)
- #25 Nathan Saliba (Anderlecht, Belgium)
- #26 Marcelo Flores (Tigres UANL, Mexico)
Forwards
- #9 Cyle Larin (Southampton FC, England)
- #10 Jonathan David (Juventus, Italy)
- #11 Liam Millar (Hull City, England)
- #12 Tani Oluwaseyi (Villarreal, Spain)
- #24 Promise David (Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, Belgium)
Head Coach
- Jesse Marsch (United States)
