World Cup Draw: Canada To Face Switzerland, Qatar, And An Undecided Third

At the historic Kennedy Centre south of the border, the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup Draw has provided a clear picture of the path Canada must march as the country co-hosts the pinnacle of the beautiful game, with a North American flair.

“It’s the number one sport for Canadian boys and girls,” said Prime Minister Mark Carney at the draw. “Two-thirds of the country watched the last World Cup, and we are partnered with the United States and Mexico in welcoming the world.”

Hosts Rio Rio Ferdinand and Sam Johnson helped lead a draw conducted by a few sporting greats in Aaron Judge, Shaquille O’Neal, Tom Brady, and contentious Canadian Wayne Gretzky.

Canada was drawn into Group B, where they will face a to-be-decided European opponent, Qatar, And Switzerland.

At the time of the draw, Canada is ranked 27th overall, with group competitors Switzerland at 17, Qatar at 51, and the winner of ‘UEFA Playoff A’. That could be Italy, Northern Ireland, Wales, or Bosnia and Herzegovina, leaving quite a lot to plan for.

Switzerland deploys a possession-heavy approach, and that’s something that Canada head coach Jesse Marsch has experience combating: he’s faced similar European opponents already this year with matches against the likes of Ukraine, Romania, and Wales. Historically, Switzerland has advanced beyond the group stage in its three latest World Cup ventures, making the 17th-rank opponent an early group favourite.

Qatar will be labelled as a good draw for Canada, with the previous World Cup hosts fielding the second-lowest ranking of all third-seed countries. Canada faced Qatar in a friendly match ahead of the last World Cup, where neither country survived the group stage.

The UEFA Playoff A winner could be one of Italy, Northern Ireland, Wales, or Bosnia and Herzegovina. It goes without saying that Italy – despite having missed out on the previous two World Cups – would be seen as the toughest potential opponent, ranked twelfth overall with lots of individual talent.

The Azzurri finished runners-up in their qualification group and must face Northern Ireland for the play-in semi-final on March 26 before squaring up against either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina on March 31.

Much further back in the rankings is Wales at 32, Northern Ireland at 69, and Bosnia and Herzegovina is 72. Canada came out a one-nil victor in a friendly match against Wales earlier this year.

Canada will open in Toronto against the UEFA Play-In winner on June 12. The second match will see Canada take on Qatar at June 18 at Vancouver’s BC Place, Canada then closing the group stage against Switzerland on June 26 at the same venue, with BC Place set to host what could end up being a must-win for Les Rouges.

Header Image Photo Credit: John Jacques