https://www.sportsnet.ca/fifa-world-...ifa-world-cup/

Canada's group for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been set.

Joining the Canadians in Group B will be Qatar, Switzerland and the winner of UEFA Playoff A.


The UEFA Playoff A winner will be determined in March, with one of Italy, Northern Ireland, Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina being in play to go against Canada.

Canada will play their first game at Toronto's BMO Field on June 12.

Canada will stage 10 opening-round games — split evenly between Toronto and Vancouver, which will host Canada's two other opening-round matches June 18 and 24 at B.C. Place Stadium.

Your thoughts on Canada in this Group B?


Switzerland is ranked 17th according to FIFA.
Qatar's rank is 51st.

Canada have a realistic chance of getting out of the group, given that there will be 8 third-place finishers who will advance to the Round of 32.

I'm going to our second game at BC Place, so hopefully we don’t crap the bed against Qatar. We need to win that game and draw one of the two others.

Italy should win their playoff, but they've also been below their historical standard lately, which is why they are in the situation their in. We can draw a team like Switzerland as we've tightened up our defensive play over the last couple of windows. Our problem will be scoring since we are still a counterattacking team that doesn't build up in a sophisticated way.

I think our group's composition gives us a good chance to make it out in the the elimination round. Even without the 3rd place finishers that can advance to the round of 32, I think we have a realistic chance at beating each individual team in the group.

Of course I think Switzerland is stronger, and I wouldn't underestimate Qatar and Bosnia/Herzegovina either. But we shouldn't be completely outclassed by Switzerland. And I honestly think Italy is a much weaker team than its FIFA ranking suggests -- IMO right now, we are a stronger team than Italy is.

Canada is a more mature team this time around and a coach who's not going to give bulletin board material before a game. For those who don't watch soccer and will join the bandwagon come June, Canada is way more than Alphonso Davies these days.

We have more depth in midfield and more depth at centre-back. We've only surrendered a single goal in the last 5 friendly matches against teams in the Top 50. Almost all of our players now play in first or second-tier leagues around the world (Bundesliga, English Championship, Ligue 1, La Liga, Serie A, Belgian League, MLS). Our main issue is our striker quality.

As good as Alphonso Davies is, he is far too injury-prone, and that doesn't bode well for tournaments.

Even watching highlights of the draw last night is cringe and painful... can't imagine what watching the entire bloated thing was like.

Not FIFA but GG Whitecaps, not this year.

Yes, not FIFA, but the Whitecaps beat themselves in the cup final. Two mistakes and that cost them the game.

It sucks... Vancouver is just a city with teams that can't win when it counts (notwithstanding the Vancouver Whitecaps in 1979). Vancouver is cursed, at least when it comes to local sports teams. Let's hope that we can celebrate Canada getting out of the group at BC Place.

Is there some kind of statue that was thrown into Coal Harbour or False Creek that needs to be recovered to reverse the curse?

Well at least the Lions won 6 Grey cups.

If RS members who kept BC in their username after they left the Province returns to BC, that might turn the tide and reverse the jinx.

That was a worthy thank. Well deserved. :accepted:

CFL don't count.

No US teams.

Oof, tough crowd. :D