Canada at the FIFA World Cup 2026

History

Canada has appeared at the FIFA World Cup on three occasions: 1986, 2022, and 2026. In their debut in 1986 in Mexico, they were eliminated in the group stage without scoring a single goal, losing to France, Hungary, and the Soviet Union. After a 36-year absence, Canada returned to the World Cup in 2022 in Qatar, again exiting in the group stage. Across their first six World Cup matches, Canada has recorded no wins, no draws, six losses, two goals scored, and twelve conceded. The 2026 tournament represents their best opportunity yet, as co-hosts on home soil.

Qualification

Canada qualified automatically for the 2026 FIFA World Cup as one of the three co-host nations, alongside the United States and Mexico. No qualifying matches were required. Canada was announced as a co-host as part of the United bid for the 2026 tournament, awarded in 2018. Their group stage opponent Bosnia and Herzegovina opens the tournament on June 12 in Toronto.

Preparation

Head coach Jesse Marsch, appointed in 2024, signed a four-year contract extension through the 2030 FIFA World Cup, announced on May 25, 2026. After a 32-player training camp in Charlotte, North Carolina (May 25-29), Marsch unveiled Canada's final 26-man World Cup squad on May 29 in a broadcast event, with Stephen Eustáquio named vice-captain and captain Alphonso Davies included despite a hamstring injury. The team then plays two Send-Off Series friendlies: against Uzbekistan on June 1 at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton and against the Republic of Ireland on June 5 at Stade Saputo in Montréal. On May 26, Canada Soccer confirmed the National Soccer Development Centre (NSDC) at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver as the team's official World Cup base camp. The squad arrives largely healthy after recovery setbacks for Bombito, Jones and Promise David; the main concern is Davies, whom Marsch does not expect to be fit for the June 12 opener. Jonathan David leads the attacking options.

Latest news

Canada opens Send-Off Series against Uzbekistan in Edmonton

· matches

Canada hosted Uzbekistan at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton on June 1 in the first of two pre-World Cup Send-Off Series friendlies, with St. Clair and Crépeau set to split goalkeeping duties. Canada next faces the Republic of Ireland on June 5 at Stade Saputo in Montréal.

Marsch names final 26-man World Cup squad; Davies makes it despite hamstring injury

· squad

Canada Soccer announced Jesse Marsch's final 26-player squad for FIFA World Cup 2026 on May 29. Captain Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich) is included while recovering from a hamstring injury; Marsch said he is unlikely to feature in the friendlies or the June 12 opener against Bosnia and Herzegovina but expects him to play at some point in the tournament. Stephen Eustáquio is named vice-captain.

Eustáquio, Johnston, Shaffelburg, Jones and Promise David in; Hoilett, Miller and Priso cut

· squad

The final 26 added Stephen Eustáquio, Alistair Johnston, Jacob Shaffelburg, Alfie Jones and Promise David versus earlier projections. Veteran winger Junior Hoilett (Swindon Town) was left out, along with Kamal Miller, Ralph Priso, Zorhan Bassong, Jamie Knight-Lebel, Jayden Nelson, Daniel Jebbison and Jacen Russell-Rowe from the training pool.

Canada's squad arrives healthy: Bombito, Jones and Promise David recovered from injuries

· injuries

Moïse Bombito recovered from a broken leg suffered in October, Alfie Jones cleared ankle surgery, and Promise David recovered from January hip surgery. All three are included and considered available for the World Cup. Alphonso Davies remains the main concern with his hamstring strain.

Squad

PlayerPositionClub
Dayne St. ClairGKInter Miami FC
Maxime CrépeauGKOrlando City SC
Owen GoodmanGKBarnsley FC
Derek CorneliusDFRangers FC
Joel WatermanDFChicago Fire
Richie LaryeaDFToronto FC
Luc RolletDFFCV Dender
Alphonso DaviesDFBayern Munich
Moïse BombitoDFOGC Nice
Alistair JohnstonDFCeltic FC
Alfie JonesDFMiddlesbrough FC
Ismaël KonéMFUS Sassuolo
Stephen EustáquioMFLAFC
Jacob ShaffelburgMFLAFC
Jonathan OsorioMFToronto FC
Tajon BuchananMFVillarreal CF
Marcelo FloresMFTigres UANL
Mathieu ChoinièreMFLAFC
Ali AhmedMFNorwich City FC
Nathan SalibaMFRSC Anderlecht
Niko SigurMFHajduk Split
Jonathan DavidFWJuventus FC
Promise DavidFWRoyale Union Saint-Gilloise
Cyle LarinFWSouthampton FC
Liam MillarFWHull City FC
Tani OluwaseyiFWVillarreal CF

Recent results

  • 2024-06-06 — NED 4-0 CAN (friendly)
  • 2024-06-09 — FRA 0-0 CAN (friendly)
  • 2024-09-07 — USA 1-2 CAN (friendly)
  • 2024-09-10 — MEX 0-0 CAN (friendly)
  • 2024-10-15 — CAN 2-1 PAN (friendly)
  • 2025-09-05 — ROU 0-3 CAN (friendly)
  • 2025-09-09 — WAL 0-1 CAN (friendly)
  • 2025-10-10 — CAN 0-1 AUS (friendly)
  • 2025-10-14 — CAN 0-0 COL (friendly)
  • 2025-11-13 — CAN 0-0 ECU (friendly)
  • 2025-11-18 — CAN 2-0 VEN (friendly)
  • 2026-03-28 — CAN 2-2 ISL (friendly)
  • 2026-03-31 — CAN 0-0 TUN (friendly)

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