[Tapioca]

Since we're co-hosting and the draw is coming up this Friday, I figured I would start a dedicated thread. Here's a photo of the pots:

https://digitalhub.fifa.com/transform/57ff4956-c005-4148-b5eb-f65755f6a241/FW26-Draw-Procedure-Explainer-Table_16x9_01?&io=transform:fill,width:1024&quality=75

Every group will have 1 team from each pot, but the co-hosts can't be in a group with another North America/Caribbean team, so we can't have Haiti, Jamaica, Curacao, or Suriname in our group, for example. There is a high chance that we will have two European teams in our group and a possibility that we could play Italy in our first game in Toronto (Italy would be a Pot 4 team). Our games at BC Place would be against one of the Pot 3 and Pot 2 teams.

Who are you cheering for? Any surprises in terms of the qualifying so far?

Did anyone get any tickets during the first two phases of ticket sales?

[Traum]

I will obviously be cheering on our boys in the CanMNT~ :whistle: After that, it'd be the 3 Lions (England), which despite the horrible coaching from Tuchel, is somehow still ranked as the 4th strongest team in the FIFA rankings. And bcos of that, it gets an easier draw that avoids the other 3 top 4 teams.

The whole ticket sales thing is a scam. If you don't plan on shelling out big $$$ to secure your tickets, there is basically zero chance of you just winning the random draw. As expected, I did not win the ticket draw in the first 2 rounds.

FWIW, I have also applied to volunteer in the games. According to the volunteer selection timeline, interviews for the volunteering positions should already have started in Nov, and I have read online that Toronto has already started the process. I haven't heard of anything happening in Vancouver yet, and I have obviously not been contacted for interviews either.

[Mikoyan]

Co worker won a ticket allocation through RBC. Tickets are non transferable per TOS she said.

[pastarocket]

I will obviously be cheering on our boys in the CanMNT~ :whistle: After that, it'd be the 3 Lions (England), which despite the horrible coaching from Tuchel, is somehow still ranked as the 4th strongest team in the FIFA rankings. And bcos of that, it gets an easier draw that avoids the other 3 top 4 teams.

The whole ticket sales thing is a scam. If you don't plan on shelling out big $$$ to secure your tickets, there is basically zero chance of you just winning the random draw. As expected, I did not win the ticket draw in the first 2 rounds.

FWIW, I have also applied to volunteer in the games. According to the volunteer selection timeline, interviews for the volunteering positions should already have started in Nov, and I have read online that Toronto has already started the process. I haven't heard of anything happening in Vancouver yet, and I have obviously not been contacted for interviews either.


A friend who works at the central library in downtown Vancouver told me recently that interviews have started last week at this library for selecting volunteers.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[teggy604]

Saw the ticket prices.. Ya they ain't cheap...

[Traum]

A friend who works at the central library in downtown Vancouver told me recently that interviews have started last week at this library for selecting volunteers.

I guess that means I didn't make the cut for volunteering either LOL~

[unit]

i lost a lot of interest in the world cup over the years, mainly due to my dislike of FIFA. not sure how much i'll watch next year even if we are hosting it.. maybe if some friends want to go out, otherwise i don't really care anymore.

[bcrdukes]

What's FIFA? :confused:

[teggy604]

Whitecap players good enough for world cup for their respective countries?

[winson604]

Whitecap players good enough for world cup for their respective countries?

Off the top of my head

Canada
Ali Ahmed
Jayden Nelson

USA
Sebastian Berhalter
Tristan Blackmon
Brian White

Paraguay
Andrés Cubas

Scotland
Ryan Gauld


Berhalter scored a nice one for Team USA the other day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtGKKPtAI0Y

[Tapioca]

i lost a lot of interest in the world cup over the years, mainly due to my dislike of FIFA. not sure how much i'll watch next year even if we are hosting it.. maybe if some friends want to go out, otherwise i don't really care anymore.

No one likes FIFA, but football is one of the few things in the world that most people understand and appreciate. People hate the IOC too, but they can support athletes who compete for their country. I feel the same about soccer/football.

Whitecap players good enough for world cup for their respective countries?

Yes, several:
Ali Ahmed, Jayden Nelson, Sam Adekugbe - Canada
Brian White, Sebastian Berhalter, Tristan Blackmon - US
Andreas Cubas - Paraguay
Ryan Gauld - Scotland

[mikemhg]

Planning to rent my place out during the WC, take a long vacation out of town for it :)

[CivicBlues]

Planning to rent my place out during the WC, take a long vacation out of town for it :)

Considering this too but how do you screen for the fact your likely guests are gonna be some Eurotrash homos or Latino cartel members?

[Badhobz]

wait... the world cup is coming to vancouver!? the fuck? when did we bid for this gong show of a event?

[mikemhg]

Considering this too but how do you screen for the fact your likely guests are gonna be some Eurotrash homos or Latino cartel members?

That's the tough part. I'd say start with referrals from friends, they might have family or someone they know looking to come to the games, someone they can vouch for.

If that fails, there are groups on FB for people looking for temporary rentals in Vancouver, I can send you some. That would allow you to vet the person more ahead of time, and meet prior before making any arrangements.

[pastarocket]

wait... the world cup is coming to vancouver!? the fuck? when did we bid for this gong show of a event?

This is old news, Hobz.


https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2022TACS0037-000961


Vancouver won the bid in June 2022 to host the World Cup.

-crossing my fingers that this won't be a Gong Show Cup in terms of messing up every day life with things such as traffic, an influx of crazy ass tourists, and cost over runs. :twirleye:

https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2022TACS0037-000961

FIFA has confirmed that Vancouver has been chosen as an official host city for the FIFA World Cup 2026.

This is the first time that FIFA Men's World Cup matches will be played on Canadian soil, and the tournament is watched by billions of people around the world. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to support the tourism sector, put the global spotlight on British Columbia and inspire the next generation of players.

“British Columbia welcomes the world for FIFA World Cup 2026,” said Premier John Horgan. “We’re not hosting the largest ever World Cup just for kicks. British Columbians will enjoy an economic boost to the tourism and hospitality sectors that will be felt for years to come. We look forward to welcoming the global soccer community to our province.”

The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be jointly hosted by Canada, the United States and Mexico with matches held in select host cities across North America. This World Cup will be the largest ever held, and the first to feature 48 teams playing in 80 matches. It is expected that the United States will host 60 matches, with Canada and Mexico expected to host 10 matches each.

[Badhobz]

Soooooo are they gonna ship out the east Hastings bums to Surrey and Abbotsford like last time?

[bcrdukes]

I heard they were shipping them to 123 Williams STREET in Richmond.

[Badhobz]

That’s 123 Fake street you clown !!! Get it right.

[bcrdukes]

Canada Post girl says otherwise.

[unit]

https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/news/trump/2025/12/04/world-cup-host-fifa-peace-prize-trump/87551309007/

just another reason for me to hate fifa... trump wanted the nobel prize so bad that fifa said we have the nobel peace prize at home

[quasi]

We've been working on BC place upgrades since last year for World Cup, nothing to crazy but they added some bars, ballroom upgrade and a bunch of washroom groups, you can never have enough shitters.

[Bender Unit]

I was wondering when will they renovate BC Place for the World Cup
I guess it will mostly the same old BC Place

[teggy604]

So are the whitecaps getting their own field? Maybe they can build it at empire.

[Mikoyan]

Traffic in my hood will be snarled up. Practice pitches are being built in the field north of Killarney Community Centre.

Got my invite for the volunteer interview today.

[pastarocket]

https://www.sportsnet.ca/fifa-world-cup/article/canada-learns-group-opponents-for-2026-fifa-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.

[Tapioca]

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.

[Traum]

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.

[Tapioca]

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.

[Traum]

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

[68style]

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

[whitev70r]

Not FIFA but GG Whitecaps, not this year.

[Tapioca]

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.

[bcrdukes]

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

[Great68]

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.

Well at least the Lions won 6 Grey cups.

[whitev70r]

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

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.

[bcrdukes]

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

[mikemhg]

Well at least the Lions won 6 Grey cups.

CFL don't count.

No US teams.

[bcrdukes]

Oof, tough crowd. :D

[Tapioca]

Bumping the thread since we're less than 100 days away and we're going to find out this week who Canada will play in our first game in Toronto.

Despite all of the turmoil in the world and the corruption of FIFA itself, the World Cup is an event that does draw half of the world's population together. I hope that it does bring people in Canada together, for as long as Canada is in the tournament.

What do you guys think about the jerseys? https://www.canadasoccerstore.com/en/men/ga-23+z-9171379439-1736775071

The black kit is divisive, but I like that they tried something different. I'm going to buy one because nothing daring like this will ever be released or made again.

Anyone else get tickets? I understand that there will be another official FIFA ticket window in April, which will be the last chance to get tickets straight from FIFA, rather than resellers.

The trophy is coming to Vancouver too in April: https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/fifa-world-cup-trophy-coming-vancouver-how-to-see-it

It looks like the $600 million of taxpayer dollars is being invested into bringing a bunch of musicians to the PNE over the tournament. Other cities in the US are scaling back their Fan Fests. Lots of interesting acts to be sure: https://www.vancouverfwc26.ca/fifa-fan-festival/entertainment

Even the city of Surrey is hosting viewing parties: https://www.surrey.ca/news-events/news/surrey-soccer-fan-zones-host-free-live-broadcasts-of-world-cup-26tm-games-summer

[whitev70r]

Will Iran play? And after last game defect?

Anyone else not into FIFA and can't wait for the shitshow and for it to be over?

[underscore]

I like soccer but the terrible reffing system and how corrupt FIFA is destroys any appeal of the World Cup to me. I don't know how anyone can stand watching it now that the bad calls are in high def and replayed from 12 angles.

[68style]

Absolutely zero interest from me for this, terrible organization and terrible game calling

[Traum]

Somehow, I am still feeling very salty for not getting selected for volunteering even though I figured the chances of not getting selected is higher than getting selected LOL~

The thing that I found to be most absurd was -- there were 2 options to pay for a higher chance of winning the game ticket lottery. Note that you aren't actually paying more money for tickets (yet) -- you are just paying $50 or $150 for a better chance of getting picked for the game ticket. If this doesn't scream GREED in the most blantant and shameless way, I don't know how else greed can be so openly shown.

My biggest hurdle to enjoy the game and festivities is my regular daily duty as a dad. School / summer camp and extracurricular activities don't stop for FIFA World Cup, so I can only work around them, and that imposes a lot of limitations on what I'd be able to do.

[whitev70r]

FIFA Cup winner prob already determined ... why would anyone want to watch the show? :lol

Friend got a volunteering position, last mile. He said there was one job ... 4 positions only, where you get to escort player to post game pee testing ... see all the stars weenies!

[bcrdukes]

Who will be the victor? Team USA? :)

[CivicBlues]

Fuck FIFA and Fuck soccer fans. Boring ass game with globally obnoxious fans.