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

Canada's World Cup ended on July 4 with a 0-3 Round of 16 loss to Morocco in Houston, becoming the first co-host eliminated at the tournament. Ounahi scored twice (50', 82') and Rahimi added a third in stoppage time (90+8'); the match was scoreless at halftime. Alphonso Davies started on the bench for the fifth straight match and did not play. Marsch said 'we were the better team' and 'I'd rather be us than them', and on July 12 reflected that Canada 'had a good tournament, but you're always left wanting more.' Marsch remains contracted through the 2030 World Cup cycle.

Latest news

Marsch reflects on Canada's World Cup exit: 'a good tournament, but you're always left wanting more'

· general

Eight days after elimination, Jesse Marsch reflected on Canada's tournament, saying the team defended well and stayed true to its identity despite the Round of 16 loss to Morocco. He pointed to the squad's resilience through injuries (nine players hurt as of May 18, including captain Davies, Koné and Flores) and said the experience should benefit the program long term as Canada builds toward 2030.

Canada's World Cup ends: Morocco beat Les Rouges 3-0 in the Round of 16 in Houston

· matches

Morocco eliminated Canada 3-0 in Houston, the first co-host to exit. Scoreless at halftime; Ounahi scored twice (50', 82') off Hakimi and Brahim Díaz service, Rahimi added a third in stoppage time (90+8'). Canada had 0.84 xG to Morocco's 0.82 and forced an early save from Bounou, but David put a 78th-minute free kick over the bar. Davies started on the bench and did not play.

Marsch after elimination: 'We were the better team' and 'I'd rather be us than them'

· general

Following the 3-0 loss to Morocco, Jesse Marsch said Canada controlled much of the match and believed one moment decided the result. He said 'I'd rather be us than them, as good as Morocco is, I'd rather be us,' praising his players' aggressive approach and saying he could not be prouder of their effort across the tournament.

Canada reaches Round of 16 for first time ever, beats South Africa 1-0 via Eustaquio stoppage-time winner

· matches

Canada beat South Africa 1-0 in the Round of 32 at LA's SoFi Stadium. Stephen Eustáquio scored 90+2', finishing a looped clearance. South Africa had 60% possession but 0.13 expected goals. Canada XI: Crépeau; Johnston, Cornelius, Bombito, Laryea; Buchanan, Saliba, Eustáquio, Millar; Oluwaseyi, David. Marsch called the squad 'Canadian heroes'. They face Netherlands or Morocco on July 4 in Houston.

Alphonso Davies makes tournament debut vs South Africa, enters as substitute in the 75th minute

· injuries

Captain Alphonso Davies made his first appearance at World Cup 2026 when he came off the bench in the 75th minute against South Africa, having missed all three group matches with a hamstring injury. He looked rusty but his presence helped open up the pitch on the left and gave teammates more confidence ahead of Canada's Round of 16 on July 4.

Canada advances to World Cup knockout stage for first time in history despite 2-1 loss to Switzerland

· general

Canada lost 2-1 to Switzerland in Vancouver on June 24 but advanced to the Round of 32 as Group B runners-up, the first knockout appearance in Canadian men's World Cup history. Switzerland top Group B with 7 points; Canada finish with 4. Canada will face South Africa at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on June 28 instead of hosting in Canada, having missed the chance to top the group.

Switzerland 2-1 Canada: Vargas (46'), Manzambi (57') give Swiss the win; Promise David (76') too late

· matches

Switzerland beat Canada 2-1. Ruben Vargas scored 39 seconds into the second half (46'), Johan Manzambi doubled the lead (57') as Canada were passive after the break. Promise David pulled one back 73 seconds after entering the pitch (76'). Granit Xhaka and Cyle Larin both received yellow cards (31'). Marsch: 'I wish I had gone to five at the back at halftime.'

Davies unused on bench vs Switzerland; Marsch admits he was a decoy and confirms Davies ready for South Africa

· injuries

Alphonso Davies was on the bench but did not enter against Switzerland. Post-match, Marsch revealed he used Davies as a tactical decoy: 'Alphonso wasn't ready yet, so I was using him a little bit as a decoy.' Marsch confirmed Davies 'will be ready for the next match' vs South Africa (June 28).

Eustáquio starts on bench vs Switzerland with undisclosed ailment; comes on as substitute

· injuries

Stephen Eustáquio, Canada's vice-captain, was named among the substitutes for the Switzerland match despite returning to full training on Monday June 23 after missing the media-open portion of Sunday training. He came on as a substitute during the match. The nature of his ailment was not disclosed by Canada Soccer or the player himself.

Alfie Jones confirmed ruled out for Switzerland; Eustáquio misses Sunday training but returns Monday

· injuries

Alfie Jones, who missed the Qatar match with a muscle injury, did individual training on Sunday June 22 and is confirmed ruled out for the June 24 Switzerland decider. Vice-captain Stephen Eustáquio missed the media-open portion of Sunday training without explanation from Canada Soccer; he returned to training on Monday June 23 and is expected to start. No injury was confirmed for Eustáquio.

Koné returns to team hotel after successful surgery; sends video message to teammates

· injuries

Surgery on June 19 was successful (approx. 90 minutes). Koné was discharged and returned to the team hotel by June 20, receiving a joyful welcome. He sent teammates a video message: 'What you guys did yesterday will stay with me forever. I'll be back very soon.' Bombito, who had his own leg fracture in October, accompanied him at the hospital. World Cup over.

Canada's 6-0 rout of Qatar draws 11.7 million viewers, a new Canadian World Cup TV record

· general

Canada's 6-0 win over Qatar on June 18 was watched by 11.7 million unique Canadians, with 5.3 million average viewers across TSN, CTV, RDS, Noovo and Crave and a peak of 7.3 million. This surpassed the Bosnia opener (8.6 million unique viewers) and set a new benchmark for a Canadian group-stage World Cup broadcast.

Davies getting closer to 100%; Alfie Jones in physio room with muscle injury; three defenders on yellow

· injuries

Marsch said Davies is 'getting closer and closer to 100%', will train this week, and 'hopefully can be available' for the June 24 Switzerland match but will not start. Jones picked up a muscle injury before Qatar and Marsch confirmed he 'won't be in training' ahead of Switzerland. Johnston, Luc de Fougerolles and Cornelius each carry one yellow card into the Switzerland decider.

Canada wins first-ever World Cup match, routing Qatar 6-0; Koné stretchered off with broken leg

· matches

Canada's first-ever World Cup win: 6-0 over Qatar at BC Place Vancouver. Larin (16'), David hat-trick (29', 45+3', 90+2'), Saliba (57/64'), Qatar own goal (75'). Qatar reduced to nine men by two red cards. Koné stretchered off (53') with a broken leg after a Madibo tackle; underwent surgery. Davies unused substitute. Canada top Group B on 4 pts with Switzerland, face each other June 24.

Koné suffers fractured fibula and tibia in Qatar match; tournament over, surgery performed

· injuries

Koné stretchered off (53') after a late tackle by Qatar's Madibo (red card) in Canada's 6-0 win. Marsch: 'could hear the bone snap.' Taken to Vancouver hospital for surgery. Per Fabrizio Romano: fractured fibula and tibia, at least 4-5 months recovery, World Cup over. Saliba replaced him and scored, holding up Koné's No. 8 jersey in tribute.

Alphonso Davies available but unused substitute vs Qatar; status for Switzerland June 24 unclear

· general

Alphonso Davies was confirmed available for Canada's June 18 match against Qatar by coach Marsch, but started on the bench and did not enter the game. Davies warmed up separately due to ongoing hamstring management. Canada face Switzerland on June 24 with Davies potentially in line to feature; Marsch had previously said he aimed to have Davies ready for the group's third match.

Canada earns first World Cup point, drawing 1-1 with Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto

· matches

Canada drew 1-1 with Bosnia in their World Cup opener in Toronto. Lukic headed Bosnia ahead (21'). Substitute Larin equalized (78'). Canada's first-ever World Cup point in their third appearance. Alphonso Davies did not feature. Canada's starting XI: Crépeau; Johnston, Cornelius, de Fougerolles, Laryea; Koné, Osorio, Ahmed; Shaffelburg, Buchanan; David.

Davies officially ruled out of opener; Bombito confirmed available; Koné fit after fever

· injuries

Marsch confirmed June 11 that Davies is ruled out of the opener; an MRI showed he is healing 'almost completely' and Marsch hopes he returns in the group stage. Bombito confirmed available and at top speed. Koné, who missed June 10 training with a fever, returned to the pitch June 11 and is fit to play.

Koné misses training with a fever two days before the opener; Davies, Bombito and Priso still progressing

· injuries

On a lighter June 10 training day two days before the opener, Ismaël Koné was absent with a fever and TSN gave no update on his availability for the June 12 game against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Alphonso Davies and Ralph Priso stayed in return-to-play protocol for hamstring injuries, while Moïse Bombito did modified team training for a third straight day with a wrap on his lower left leg.

Shaffelburg and Ali Ahmed back as full training participants; Davies unlikely for the opener

· injuries

Two days before the opener, TSN reported that Jacob Shaffelburg and Ali Ahmed, who both missed the Send-Off Series friendlies with hamstring injuries, were full practice participants this week. Captain Alphonso Davies stayed in return-to-play protocol, progressing toward team drills, and is unlikely to feature against Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 12 though he has not ruled himself out.

Jayden Nelson replaces injured Marcelo Flores on Canada's World Cup roster

· squad

Canada Soccer added Austin FC winger Jayden Nelson to its 26-man World Cup squad on June 9, replacing Marcelo Flores, who tore his ACL in the Concacaf Champions Cup final and had surgery on June 5. Nelson, 23, has three goals in 15 caps and scored in the 2-0 Send-Off Series win over Uzbekistan on June 1 while an alternate in camp. His addition brings Canada's MLS players on the roster to nine.

Canada draws 1-1 with Ireland in final World Cup tune-up; Davies, Shaffelburg and Ahmed sit out injured

· matches

Canada closed its Send-Off Series with a 1-1 draw against the Republic of Ireland on June 5 at a sold-out Stade Saputo in Montréal. Jake O'Brien's own goal (23') put Canada ahead before Chiedozie Ogbene equalized in the second half, scoring the rebound after Maxime Crépeau (Player of the Match) saved a Troy Parrott penalty. Davies, Shaffelburg and Ali Ahmed all missed the match injured.

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
Jayden NelsonMFAustin FC
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

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