{"id":910339,"date":"2026-06-04T13:13:29","date_gmt":"2026-06-04T18:13:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/04\/canada-cheat-sheet-everything-to-know-for-2026-fifa-world-cup-mlssoccer-com\/"},"modified":"2026-06-04T13:13:29","modified_gmt":"2026-06-04T18:13:29","slug":"canada-cheat-sheet-everything-to-know-for-2026-fifa-world-cup-mlssoccer-com","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/04\/canada-cheat-sheet-everything-to-know-for-2026-fifa-world-cup-mlssoccer-com\/","title":{"rendered":"Canada cheat sheet: Everything to know for 2026 FIFA World Cup | MLSSoccer.com"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Soccer <\/p>\n<div>\n<div>\n<p>For the first time, Canada will host the men\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/competitions\/fifa-world-cup\">World Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<p>After then-<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/vancouver-whitecaps-fc\/\">Vancouver Whitecaps FC<\/a> star Alphonso Davies made an impassioned speech at the 2018 FIFA Congress to land the tournament for North America, 16 cities across the United States, Canada and Mexico are ready to welcome the world\u2019s largest single-sport event.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>While none of this year&#8217;s host nations have advanced past the World Cup quarterfinals, they&#8217;re all daring to dream big \u2013 and potentially even further.<\/p>\n<p>This summer will also see plenty of new fans jump into the soccer fun, and some reacquaint themselves with the love they return to every four years. Regardless, it\u2019s going to be a soccer-packed summer like never before.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Here, we\u2019ve got you covered with everything you need to know about the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/canada\/\">Canadian men\u2019s national team<\/a> as the 2026 FIFA World Cup unfolds from June 11 to July 19.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<p>\n                                <iframe data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/6GgTu7fl3MY?feature=oembed\" allowfullscreen title=\"Our Game Now | \u00c0 nous, Maintenant\"><\/iframe>\n                            <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<p><h3>What group are Canada in?<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<p>Canada are in Group B, where they&#8217;ll play Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar and Switzerland. The first match against Bosnia and Herzegovina will be on June 12 in Toronto, before the final two group-stage games head to Vancouver.<\/p>\n<p>Three points are awarded for a win, one point for a draw and zero points for a loss. No games at this point of the tournament go beyond regulation time, with no shootouts or tiebreaking procedures to determine a winner.<\/p>\n<p>After all Group B teams have played each other once, the top two with the most points advance to the Round of 32 single-game knockout phase. The third-place team can also advance, depending on how they compare to the other groups\u2019 third-place teams on points, goal differential and ongoing tiebreakers (top eight go through).\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>For Canada, winning the group would be a big deal. The top team in Group B will play in the Round of 32 in Vancouver against a third-place team from one of Groups E\/F\/G\/I\/J. Should they win that, the Round of 16 would also be in Vancouver, potentially offering Canada up to five games on home soil and a pathway to the quarterfinals.<\/p>\n<p>Should Canada finish second in Group B, they would head to Los Angeles to face the Group A runners-up. A third-place finish is where things get complicated, with a multitude of combinations that could align for a knockout game against the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/us-men-s-national-team\/\">United States<\/a>. Should Canada finish fourth, their tournament would be over.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<blockquote>\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The greatest show in the world is ready. Are you? \ud83c\udfc6<a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/hashtag\/FIFAWorldCup?src=hash&#038;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#FIFAWorldCup<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/ISxLhuLUkm\">pic.twitter.com\/ISxLhuLUkm<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/FIFAWorldCup\/status\/2039209000546238791?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">April 1, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n<div>\n<p><h3>When are the games? How can I watch?<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>June 12:<\/strong>\u00a0Canada vs. Bosnia &#038; Herzegovina, 3 pm ET | Toronto, Ontario<\/li>\n<li><strong>June 18:<\/strong>\u00a0Canada vs. Qatar, 6 pm ET | Vancouver, British Columbia<\/li>\n<li><strong>June 24:<\/strong>\u00a0Canada vs. Switzerland, 3 pm ET | Vancouver, British Columbia<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<p>Canada open Group B vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday, June 12, the second day of the tournament (3 pm ET | TSN, CTV, FOX).<\/p>\n<p>Afterwards, everything will be in Vancouver. Canada\u2019s second Group B game comes against Qatar on Thursday, June 18 (6 pm ET | TSN, CTV, FOX), before <em>Les Rouges<\/em> finish off the Group B action against Switzerland on Wednesday, June 24 (3 pm ET | TSN, CTV, FOX).<\/p>\n<p>With two games and potentially two knockout games on the West Coast, Canada will make their training base at Vancouver Whitecaps FC&#8217;s National Soccer Development Center on the grounds of the University of British Columbia, about a 30-minute drive from the stadium.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<blockquote>\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The opening FIFA World Cup 2026 match in Canada! \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde6<a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/hashtag\/FIFAWorldCup?src=hash&#038;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#FIFAWorldCup<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/tViISInD7K\">pic.twitter.com\/tViISInD7K<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/FIFAWorldCup\/status\/2039107251978305825?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">March 31, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n<div>\n<p><h3>Who is the head coach?<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<p>Canada are led by one of the most energetic head coaches in soccer: Jesse Marsch.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The 52-year-old is not a Canadian citizen, but rather one of the most highly regarded American coaches. He\u2019s known for his charismatic style, immense demand on players in practice and wit with the media. This will be the second time Marsch is at a World Cup, having served as an assistant with the United States at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.<\/p>\n<p>Marsch took over the Canadian program in May 2024 after his predecessor, John Herdman, left for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/toronto-fc\/\">Toronto FC<\/a>. Marsch was thrown right into the fire with his first matches against European powerhouses, with early tests against the Netherlands and France.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Canada played at their first <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/competitions\/copa-america\/2025\/\">Copa Am\u00e9rica<\/a> that ensuing summer, invited to South America&#8217;s continental tournament as games unfolded across the United States. They opened with a 2-0 loss to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/lionel-messi\/\">Lionel Messi<\/a>-led Argentina before advancing to the semifinals, where the 2022 World Cup champions knocked them out. Canada ultimately fell on penalties vs. Uruguay in the third-place game.<\/p>\n<p>Marsch took the Canadian job as his first international head-coaching role, having started on the touchlines with MLS sides <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/cf-montreal\/\">CF Montr\u00e9al<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/red-bull-new-york\/\">Red Bull New York<\/a>. He then ventured to Europe and worked at Austria&#8217;s RB Salzburg, Germany&#8217;s Red Bull Leipzig, and England&#8217;s Leeds United.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>While Marsch initially signed to lead Canada through the 2026 World Cup, he recently <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/news\/canada-extend-jesse-marsch-through-2030-world-cup\">inked a deal<\/a> to remain head coach until the 2030 World Cup.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<blockquote>\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Representing Canada at the World Cup on home soil \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde6 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/TkoNocIkJr\">pic.twitter.com\/TkoNocIkJr<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Major League Soccer (@MLS) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/MLS\/status\/2060511648654250486?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">May 30, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n<div>\n<p><h3>Key players<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<p>Get ready to learn about injuries.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Canada\u2019s best player is Alphonso Davies, a world-class talent who started as a Vancouver Whitecaps homegrown before moving to German giants Bayern Munich in 2019 for reportedly up to $22 million.<\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, the left-sided defender tore his ACL in March 2025 and has since sporadically played for Bayern and picked up several muscular injuries.<\/p>\n<p>Four years ago in Qatar, Davies scored Canada\u2019s first-ever World Cup goal. Now, he begins the tournament on the sidelines, nursing a quad injury. However, he\u2019s expected to make an impact this summer and could return as soon as the Qatar match on June 18, Canada\u2019s second Group B game.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>While Davies serves as the captain when healthy, he won\u2019t likely wear the armband \u2013 soccer\u2019s captaincy indicator \u2014 on the opening day. That will be <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/los-angeles-football-club\/\">LAFC<\/a> midfielder <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/stephen-eustaquio\/\">Stephen Eust\u00e1quio<\/a>, known for his slick passing and suave dribbling skills, honed during his time with Portuguese giants FC Porto, where he&#8217;s set to return post-World Cup following an MLS loan spell. Aside from Eust\u00e1quio, CF Montr\u00e9al product and midfield partner Isma\u00ebl Kon\u00e9&#8217;s dribbling skills and passing vision will bring you out of your seat.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Also key to the program is striker Jonathan David, a star at Italian giants Juventus and Canada\u2019s all-time leading goalscorer (39 goals). He could partner up top with Cyle Larin, a former <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/orlando-city-sc\/\">Orlando City<\/a> star who is second on the CanMNT goal charts (30 goals)\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Injury questions lurk again with star center back Mo\u00efse Bombito. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/colorado-rapids\/\">Colorado Rapids<\/a> alum is one of the fastest defenders in the world when healthy, but is slowly returning from a broken leg suffered in October.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>MLS is well-represented on this squad, too, with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/news\/choiniere-to-waterman-every-mls-player-canada-2026-world-cup-roster\">eight call-ups<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/news\/ahmed-to-saliba-every-mls-export-on-canada-s-world-cup-roster\">another 10<\/a> who have spent time in the league or in an MLS academy.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Orlando City&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/maxime-crepeau\/\">Maxime Cr\u00e9peau<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/inter-miami-cf\/\">Inter Miami<\/a>&#8216;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/dayne-st-clair\/\">Dayne St. Clair<\/a> are the top two goalkeepers, with the latter holding the honor of 2025 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Meanwhile, Toronto FC defender <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/richie-laryea\/\">Richie Laryea<\/a> and LAFC midfielder <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/mathieu-choiniere\/\">Mathieu Choini\u00e8re<\/a> could feasibly start.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/chicago-fire-fc\/\">Chicago Fire FC<\/a> defender <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/joel-waterman\/\">Joel Waterman<\/a> and Toronto FC midfielder <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/jonathan-osorio\/\">Jonathan Osorio<\/a> add experience, and LAFC winger <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/jacob-shaffelburg\/\">Jacob Shaffelburg<\/a> brings pace out wide.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<blockquote><p>\u2014 Major League Soccer (@MLS) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/MLS\/status\/2060516539460137308?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">May 30, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n<div>\n<p><h3><strong>Milestones, history &#038; achievements<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<p>Canada&#8217;s trophy cabinet is admittedly light. But things have improved exponentially since the 2022 World Cup cycle, and Marsch has touted the 2026 squad as \u201cone of, if not the best rosters Canada has ever had.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Case in point: This summer will be Canada\u2019s third time at a World Cup, and they&#8217;re yet to earn a win or draw in the group stage.<\/p>\n<p>Canada made their World Cup debut at Mexico 1986 and lost all three group games. After that, it was a 36-year dry spell before suffering three group losses at Qatar 2022.<\/p>\n<p>Will things be different this time around?<\/p>\n<p>Outside of the World Cup, Canada have won North America\u2019s top international honor once: capturing the 2000 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/competitions\/gold-cup\/\">Concacaf Gold Cup<\/a> as their only modern-era trophy. The program also holds an Olympic gold medal from the 1904 Summer Olympics, held in St. Louis.<\/p>\n<p>Then, en route to the 2022 World Cup, Canada finished atop the table in Concacaf qualifying, though no trophy was awarded for that achievement.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Canada\u2019s semifinal run at Copa Am\u00e9rica 2024 is another marquee moment, as is Alphonso Davies scoring the nation\u2019s first goal at a men\u2019s World Cup during a 4-1 loss to Croatia in 2022.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/competitions\/fifa-world-cup\/news\/canada-cheat-sheet-what-to-know-2026-fifa-world-cup-guide\" class=\"button purchase\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read More<\/a>Leigha Roberie<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Soccer For the first time, Canada will host the men\u2019s World Cup. After then-Vancouver Whitecaps FC star Alphonso Davies made an impassioned speech at the 2018 FIFA Congress to land the tournament for North America, 16 cities across the United States, Canada and Mexico are ready to welcome the world\u2019s largest single-sport event.\u00a0 While none [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":910340,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3150,4067,2005],"tags":[8233,11443],"class_list":["post-910339","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-canada","category-cheat","category-soccer","tag-canada","tag-cheat"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/910339","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=910339"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/910339\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/910340"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=910339"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=910339"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=910339"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}