Canada will play Qatar, Switzerland, and the winner of a European playoff featuring Italy, Northern Ireland, Wales and Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The group stage matchups were announced Friday as part of a star-studded draw held in Washington, D.C., which was attended by world leaders, soccer legends and celebrities.
- WATCH: TSN’s coverage of the FIFA World Cup draw
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Canada’s first game in Toronto will be against the winner of the European playoff on June 12. The men’s national team will then head to Vancouver to play its second game against Qatar on June 18. Canada will remain in Vancouver to play Switzerland on June 24.
If Canada finishes at the top of their group, they’ll stay in Vancouver for the round of 32 and round of 16.
A second-place finish will also allow them to advance out of the group stage.
If Canada is among the top eight third-place teams, they can also make it to the round of 32.
Here is a look back at the FIFA World Cup draw:
5:22 p.m. What a Canada vs. Switzerland match could look like
TSN analysts Luke Wileman, Steven Caldwell and Kevin Kilbane discuss what Team Canada coach Jesse Marsch had to say about playing Switzerland in the World Cup, who said the Swiss would be a good team to play against.
“I think Canada would probably look to sit back a little bit against a team like Switzerland. They’re certainly not going to try and posses the ball,” Caldwell said.
“They’re going to hope that they can draw Switzerland onto them and then use their pace on the counterattack.”
Caldwell continued to say there are “no real superstars” on Switzerland’s squad.
In terms of overall team ranking, Switzerland is a comparatively stronger team, placing 10 spots higher than Canada globally at 17th.
Kilbane says Canada’s best performances have been against teams that have held onto the ball for more of the game.
“Canada plays better when they have less than 50 per cent possession in the game, probably better when they’re around 30 to 40 per cent possession. I think they create more chances” Kilbane said.
“So, with Switzerland, they will dominate the ball and I think that gives Canada the opportunity to play the game that Jesse Marsch wants to play.”
- Alex Arsenych, Digital Journalist, CTV News Toronto
2:45 p.m. - Carney, Trump, Sheinbaum meet privately after FIFA draw
Prime Minister Mark Carney, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and U.S. President Donald Trump are privately meeting after the three of them participated in the FIFA World Cup draw in Washington, D.C., according to the Prime Minister’s Office.
2:40 p.m. Team Canada coach says he ‘wasn’t too nervous’ about the draw
Canada’s coach Jesse Marsch explains to TSN how he “wasn’t too nervous” as the teams were being drawn for their opening matches.
“I like our team. But, you know, it’s exciting for me to see who our opponents are and to get the preparation going,” Marsch said.
“I already saw (Murat) Yakin, the coach for Switzerland and, you know, congratulated him for making the World Cup and told him that we’ll see him soon.”
Marsch assured there was no trash talking involved with their third opponent, adding Switzerland will be a fun team to play against in the World Cup.
Jesse Marsch joins @tsnjamesduthie to discuss his thoughts on the teams Canada has been drawn with for the 2026 #FIFAWorldCup. pic.twitter.com/lzKEXvndkQ
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 5, 2025
- Alex Arsenych, Digital Journalist, CTV News Toronto
2:33 p.m. - Christine Sinclair on Canada’s World Cup opponents
B.C. soccer legend Christine Sinclair weighed in on the teams selected Friday to compete against Canada.
“Qatar is a game we should be able to win,” Sinclaid said from the watch party in Vancouver. “I like our chances of advancing.”
Switzerland, meanwhile, may not be “as well known as some of the other soccer powerhoues countries, but they’re good,” she noted.
For the players, moments like Friday are when the competition “gets real,” Sinclair said.
“You know, you’ve prepared your whole life for this moment, but once you know who you’re playing, the preparation becomes very specific,” she said. “This is where it gets real, and it comes fast.”
- Andrew Weichel, Supervising Producer, CTV News Vancouver
2:15 p.m. - These are the opening matchups
| Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D | Group E | Group F | Group G | Group H | Group I | Group J | Group K | Group L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico | Canada | Brazil | U.S. | Germany | Netherlands | Belgium | Spain | France | Argentina | Portugal | England |
| South Africa | UEFA playoff winner A | Morocco | Paraguay | Curacao | Japan | Egypt | Cabo Verde | Senegal | Algeria | FIFA playoff winner 1 | Croatia |
| South Korea | Qatar | Haiti | Australia | Cote d’Ivoire | UEFA playoff winner B | Iran | Saudi Arabia | FIFA playoff winner 2 | Austria | Uzbekistan | Ghana |
| UEFA playoff winner D | Switzerland | Scotland | UEFA playoff winner C | Ecuador | Tunisia | New Zealand | Uruguay | Norway | Jordan | Colombia | Panama |
- Alex Arsenych, Digital Journalist, CTV News Toronto
1:55 p.m. - Canada to play winner of European playoff in Toronto
The first FIFA World Cup game played on Canadian soil will be between Canada and the winner of a European playoff featuring Italy, Northern Ireland, Wales and Bosnia and Herzegovina, in Toronto.
The playoffs begin in late March and will see the winners of Italy-Northern Ireland and Wales-Bosnia face off for a spot in Group B.
- Phil Tsekouras, Digital Journalist, CTV News Toronto
1:45 p.m. - Qatar to face Canada in Group B
The last hosts of the World Cup will face off against Canada in Vancouver.
Qatar is ranked 51st on the current FIFA men’s rankings.
One remaining team is still yet to be drawn for Group B.
- Phil Tsekouras, Digital Journalist, CTV News Toronto
1:40 p.m. - Switzerland drawn in same group as Canada
Switzerland has been drawn to play against Canada in group B, in the fourth position.
The European team has reached the FIFA quarterfinals on three occasions.
Switzerland ranks 17th on FIFA’s current men’s ranking. Canada is ranked 27th.
The two other teams to be drawn in Canada’s group are still underway.
- Lynn Chaya, CTVNews.ca Breaking Digital Assignment Editor
1:20 p.m. - Wayne Gretzky, Aaron Judge, and Shaquille O’Neal take the stage
The draw is just moments away and FIFA’s draw assistants have taken the stage.
Wayne Gretzky, Aaron Judge, Shaquille O’Neal and Tom Brady will all take part in the draw.
“We’re so excited about it,” Gretzky said of Canada’s hosting duties. ”Soccer is growing so big in Canada right now."
-Phil Tsekouras, Digital Journalist, CTV News Toronto
1:05 p.m. - Host leaders return to their seats
Prime Minister Mark Carney, Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum and U.S. President Donald Trump have returned to their seats several minutes after exiting the stage.The three exchanged a laugh as they sat down.
- Luca Caruso-Moro, CTVNews.ca Breaking Digital Assignment Editor
12:45 p.m. - Carney, Trump and Sheinbaum to assist with the draw
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has called up U.S. President Donald Trump, Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexican Prime Minister Claudia Sheinbaum to assist with the draw.
Carney says hosting part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is going to be the “biggest deal ever.”
-Phil Tsekouras, Digital Journalist, CTV News Toronto
12:45 p.m. - Trump speaks of ‘tremendous relationship’ with Canada
U.S. President Donald Trump took time during a speech at the FIFA World Cup draw to single out what he says is a “tremendous relationship” with Canada.
Canada, Mexico and the United States are joint hosts of the upcoming World Cup, marking the first time that three different countries have teamed up to host soccer’s biggest event.
“We have had a tremendous relationship, working relationship with Canada. We have the prime minister of Canada there and we have our president of Mexico and we worked closely with those two countries and the coordination and friendship and relationship has been outstanding,” Trump said. “I want to thank you both very much and your countries very much.”
Trump went on to say that he expects the World Cup will be “an event the likes of which the world maybe has never seen.”
- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer, CTV News Toronto and CP24
12:30 p.m. Trump awarded FIFA Peace Prize
U.S. President Donald Trump has been awarded the FIFA Peace Prize.
The new award was announced last month and is reserved for “individuals who have taken exceptional and extraordinary actions for peace and by doing so have united people across the world,” FIFA says.
In a speech, Trump calls the award “one of the great honours” of his life.
- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer, CTV News Toronto and CP24
12:20 p.m. - Trump booed at Vancouver watch party
We have a political barometer moment at the watch party in Vancouver.
Donald Trump and wife Melania were heartily booed when they appeared on the broadcast from Washington DC.
The opposite reaction to Prime Minister Mark Carney - if a bit more reserved - applause broke out at Craft Beer Market.
- Andrew Johnson, CTV National News journalist
12:15 p.m. - Carney, Trump sit (almost) together
After a brief and apparently jovial exchange, Prime Minister Mark Carney and U.S. President Donald Trump have taken their seats. Carney is sitting beside his wife, Diana Fox Carney, and Trump is sitting with FIFA’s president, Gianni Infantino. An empty seat separates the two state leaders.
- Luca Caruso-Moro, CTVNews.ca Breaking Digital Assignment Editor
12:05 p.m. - Big crowd on hand to watch draw in Vancouver
It’s a packed house at Craft Beer Market in Vancouver’s Olympic Village neighborhood.
Excitement is high minutes from finding out who Canada will play at BC Place in front of more than 54,000 fans each game next June.
Fans are being joined here by local dignitaries and host/guest of honour, the legendary Christine Sinclair, to watch the draw live on the big screens.
- Andrew Johnson, CTV News journalist
11:55 a.m. – Trump and Carney in attendance
Prime Minister Mark Carney has been seen shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries with U.S President Donald Trump at the FIFA World Cup draw in Washington. The draw is now just moments away.
- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer, CTV News Toronto and CP24
11:49 a.m. Toronto scores highest number FIFA volunteer applications
Mayor Olivia Chow announced at the city’s watch party that Toronto saw the highest number of volunteer applicationsamong all 16 host cities.
“You know how many people applied? 248,000 people applied. Can you imagine?” Chow said.
Competition was stiff, as the number of applications is nearly 83 times the amount of open volunteer positions, with 3,000 spots available.
Volunteers will be tasked with welcoming fans, media operations, event logistics and accessibility services.
Toronto, you crushed it! We led all host cities in FIFA World Cup 26™ volunteer applications. 🙌
— City of Toronto 🇨🇦 (@cityoftoronto) December 5, 2025
This summer, 3,000 volunteers will welcome fans, create unforgettable moments, and power the event behind the scenes.
To make it all possible, the City of Toronto and FIFA have… pic.twitter.com/P4U4nAC6Qv
-Alex Arsenych, Digital Journalist, CTV News Toronto
11:45 a.m. Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow points to city’s pride for sports
Speaking at the FIFA draw watch party at St. Lawrence Market, Chow noted how Torontonians band together during the times their sports teams excel.
“Great moments in Toronto sports shine a light on our city. We all remember moments like this, the Raptors 2019 championship run … making history in Paris and the Blue Jays, bringing the city—the whole country together—today is another great moment,” Chow said.
“Today’s draw gives us a first look at the nations we may welcome this summer and bring to the excitement of the World Cup one step closer to home.”
The mayor continued to share how the city is preparing to host teams and influx of fans alike, adding that no matter what country plays against Canada first—there will be an electric energy that takes over a borough in Toronto.“We are truly a world in our inner city,” Chow said.
-Alex Arsenych, Digital Journalist, CTV News Toronto
11:30 a.m. – ‘Pinch me, is this really happening?’: Dwayne De Rosario
Scarborough’s own Dwayne De Rosario was in attendance at Friday’s draw.
“Pinch me. Is this really happening, right? This is, this is unbelievable,” he told TSN from the red carpet.
The former Toronto FC striker said Canada’s presence in the 2026 FIFA World Cup will have a ripple effect on soccer in the city and beyond.
“The impact that this World Cup is going to bring to Canada is going to elevate the sport to a place we’ve never seen before, and that’s better coaching, that’s better facilities,” he said.
“You see what’s happening at BMO Field, more opportunities for kids in Canada to play the game. And for me, the most important thing is accessibility right now and providing opportunities for kids, like me, in inner city communities that they can access opportunities in a game that’s growing exponentially, especially when it comes to funding and costs.”
De Rosario played for TFC between 2009 and 2011, rejoining the team in 2014. He wore the maple leaf for Team Canada from 1998 to 2015.
- Phil Tsekouras, Digital Journalist, CTV News Toronto
"Pinch me, is this really happening?"
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 5, 2025
Dwayne De Rosario talks about Canada hosting the #FIFAWorldCup. pic.twitter.com/EKb1KY3LLS
11:15 a.m. – ‘We are up for anyone,’ Carney tells TSN
Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke with TSN on the red carpet at the FIFA World Cup draw but refused to shed much light on who he is hoping to see in Canada’s group.
“We are up for anyone. We are 100 per cent behind (Canada coach) Jesse Marsch and the team,” he said. “Obviously we want a mix. We want a mix from different continents, different styles of play. We have a club that has a great attacking style as you know so those games are going to be exciting and whoever comes there will be a Canadian that has a tie to that homeland.”
Carney added that Canada as a whole “can’t wait to welcome the world” in June.
“This country is excited and we are just going to get more excited,” he said.
- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer, CTV News Toronto and CP24
11:10 a.m. - Team Canada coach reveals who he does not want to play
Jesse Marsch, head coach of Canada’s men’s soccer team, spoke with TSN on the red carpet Friday and admitted there is one team he does not want to play against.
“I can say that I don’t want to play Norway and partly because many people don’t want to play Norway,” he said, noting how “dangerous” Erling Haaland is.
Norway is in Pot 3, meaning that Canada could play them in their second game, in Vancouver.
As for Pots 2 and 4, Marsch said he’d rather know Team Canada’s opponent’s background than not. Cabo Verde (Pot 4), for example, is playing in its first-ever World Cup.
“But look, in the end, we’ll be ready for whoever comes.”
-Phil Tsekouras, Digital Journalist, CTV News Toronto
11:08 a.m. – Who would be Canada’s worst possible matchup?
TSN’s Kevin Kilbane says that No. 13 Colombia would likely be the worst possible matchup that Canada could see in the opening round should the draw not go their way.
This is despite Canada playing Colombia to a scoreless draw in an October friendly.
“Even though Canada got a good look at them in the last couple windows, I think Colombia will be way better going into a World Cup,” he says. “I think there are a lot of expectations on Colombia and I think all the players that played in that game will be better, I think they will be stronger and they have a real world class superstar that is a gamechanger in Luis Diaz from Bayern Munich.”
- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer, CTV News Toronto and CP24
11:02 a.m. Could Canada have a home field advantage in the World Cup?
Atiba Hutchinson, a former player with the Canadian national team from Brampton, weighed in on the World Cup coming to Canada and how it could work to the team’s advantage.
“You’ve seen so many teams that have been host nations and they’ve done well in these World Cups, so these guys are well prepared for it,” Hutchinson said in an interview with CP24.
“They’ve been fighting a lot. They’ve been playing some very good football players, doing very well in their respective clubs, winning championships.”
Canada went winless in its last World Cup appearance in 2022 but did manage to score the nation’s first goal in World Cup history in an eventual loss to Croatia. It enters this World Cup ranking No. 27 in the world, its highest ever placement.
“Now, we’re bringing it all together and this is the perfect time for us to really go out there, make a lot of noise, but not just perform and play good in these games. It’s about getting results,” Hutchinson concluded.
-Alex Arsenych, Digital Journalist, CTV News Toronto
10:34 a.m. – TFC legend Jozy Altidore in attendance
Toronto FC legend Jozy Altidore is among the celebrities attending the FIFA World Cup draw in Washington. Altidore tells TSN that any team that will be playing in Toronto can expect a raucous atmosphere come June.
“There is just tonnes of fanfare, a diverse setup that we were so lucky to have for so many years in Toronto and I expect it to be something similar but you know probably 10 times what we thought were great nights at BMO,” he says. “I think we will see that and obviously I hope a good run for Canada will help that.”
- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer, CTV News Toronto and CP24
10:27 a.m. – Today’s draw will ‘set the stage’ for the province this summer, Lumsden says
Posting a video to social media on Friday morning, MPP Neil Lumsden shared his thoughts on what the FIFA World Cup 2026 Draw will mean for Ontario this summer.
“Today’s FIFA World Cup Final Draw will set the stage for an unforgettable summer of sport in our province, and it’s a once in a generation hosting opportunity that will showcase Ontario on the world stage while inspiring a new generation of athletes and bringing significant economic benefits to our communities,” Ontario’s sports minister said.
- Alex Arsenych, Digital Journalist, CTV News Toronto
⚽️ Today, we learn who Canada will face on June 12, 2026 in Toronto during the @FIFAWorldCup, setting the stage for an unforgettable summer of sport in our province.
— Neil Lumsden (@NeilLumsdenMPP) December 5, 2025
In just a few months, teams, fans and visitors from around the globe will see firsthand why Ontario is where the… pic.twitter.com/NKkK6akdcW
10:20 a.m. – Lots at stake for Canada
There are many variables at play at FIFA World Cup Draw. We know Canada as a house country will play in Group B. What we don’t know, is who they will play in the group and how will the competitive balance shape up. Canada has yet to win a game in World Cup going back to previous appearances in 1986 and 2022. A lot riding on this draw when it comes to their chances this year.
It feels like “old home week”. For years I was a part of the TSN family and even travelled to Germany for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Today, doing my CTV duties, I’m reunited with all my TSN friends. Busy day, but a fun assignment with people who mean a lot to me.
- Paul Hollingsworth, Journalist CTV National News
10:15 a.m. - This is how the new World Cup format works
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has expanded to include 48 teams, 16 more than the typical 32.
That means there will be a total of 104 matches, 40 more than were played in Qatar 2022.
The top two teams from each of the 12 groups, and the eight best third-place teams, will advance to the new round of 32.
If Canada wins its group, they will remain in Vancouver for the round of 32 and the round of 16.
A second place finish will mean Canada travels to Los Angeles for the round of 32. If they finish third, and are among the eight best third-place teams, they’ll travel to either San Francisco or Boston.
Canada will be eliminated from the tournament if they finish the group stage in fourth place.
-Phil Tsekouras, Digital Journalist, CTV News Toronto
9:55 a.m. – The best and worst case scenarios for Canada
TSN soccer analysts Steven Caldwell, Luke Wileman and Kevin Kilbane have chosen their best and worst case scenarios for Canada during today’s FIFA World Cup draw.
Their ideal scenario would see Canada draw No. 26 Australia, No. 36 Scotland and No. 86 New Zealand
Kilbane says that while Australia defeated Canada 1-0 in a friendly in Montreal in October, he has become less impressed with them the more he rewatches the game.
“I feel as though Canada will know what to do if they face them and how to open them up a bit more,” he says.
Caldwell says that Canada needs a Pot 4 team “that they can absolutely beat” and New Zealand, one of the lowest ranked teams in the entire field, “are that team.”
As for the worst case scenario, the analysts agree that No. 13 Colombia, No. 29 Norway and a European playoff winner that could conceivably be No. 12 Italy would represent a “terrible draw” for Canada.
If Canada does end up with Italy, they would face them in their FIFA World Cup opener in Toronto on June 12.
“Italy have missed the last two World Cups but I would be shocked if they missed this one coming through the playoff path, so yeah a terrible draw to get team Italy from Pot 4 with them ranked where they are and the number of quality players they have,” Caldwell says.
- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer, CTV News Toronto and CP24
9:30 a.m. - Draw to feature star-studded lineup
There will be plenty of star power on hand for Friday’s draw.
German supermodel Heidi Klum, American comedian Kevin Hart and American actor Danny Ramirez are set to host the event.
Former Team England captain Rio Ferdinand will conduct the draw alongside broadcaster Samantha Johnson. Former NFL quarterback Eli Manning will serve as the red carpet host.
Several draw assistants are also in the mix, including seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady, Canadian hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, and NBA hall of famer Shaquille O’Neal.
Entertainment for Friday’s event will feature Italian maestro Andrea Bocelli, American singer Nicole Scherzinger, and English singer/songwriter Robbie Williams.
The Village People are also expected to perform.
- Phil Tsekouras, Digital Journalist, CTV News Toronto
Star-studded entertainment line-up announced for the Final Draw for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ 🤩
— FIFA (@FIFAcom) December 3, 2025
8:55 a.m. - These are the teams Canada could face
We won’t know all the teams coming to Toronto until FIFA holds a televised special to reveal its full match schedule, including venues and times, at 12 p.m. EST on Saturday.
However, under the draw procedure Canada will open its tournament against the team chosen from Pot 4 at BMO Field on June 12.
That means that Canada will face either No. 66 Jordan, No. 68 Cabo Verde, No. 72 Ghana, No. 86 New Zealand or one of the teams that still needs to qualify through the European qualifying process. That means that it is at least possible that Canada draws No. 12 Italy in its first-ever FIFA World Cup game on home soil. Here is a closer look at each of the pots that will be used for today’s draw
Here is a closer look at each of the pots that will be used for today’s draw:
- Pot 1: Canada (No. 27), U.S (14), Mexico (15), Argentina (1), Spain (2), France (3), England (4), Brazil (No. 5), Portugal (6), Netherlands (7), Belgium (8), Germany (9).
- Pot 2: Croatia (10), Morocco (11), Colombia (13), Uruguay (16), Switzerland (17), Japan (18), Senegal (19), Iran (20), South Korea (No. 22), Ecuador (23), Austria (24), Australia (26).
- Pot 3: Norway (29), Panama (30), Egypt (34), Algeria (35), Scotland (36), Paraguay (39), Tunisia (40), Ivory Coast (42), Uzbekistan (50), Qatar (51), Saudi Arabia (60), South Africa (61).
- Pot 4: Jordan (66), Cabo Verde (68), Ghana (72), Curaçao (82), Haiti (84), New Zealand (86), European Playoff A, B, C and D, FIFA Playoff Tournament 1 and 2
- Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer, CTV News Toronto and CP24
One final look at the pots 🔢
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 5, 2025
@aramco | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/CpbSLLz3b7
8:30 a.m. - Team Canada is ready to learn its fate.
In a post on X, the national team shared a photo of head coach Jesse Marsch to promote today’s event.
- Phil Tsekouras - Digital Journalist, CTV News Toronto
IT’S. DRAW. DAY.
— CANMNT (@CANMNT_Official) December 5, 2025
Today, we learn our destiny! pic.twitter.com/0WdmkLEaDR
8 a.m. - Carney to meet with Trump, Sheinbaum
Friday’s draw will play out as Prime Minister Mark Carney, U.S. President Donald Trump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum meet in person for the first time.
The meeting comes ahead of next year’s mandatory review of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement on trade, known as CUSMA. Canada and Mexico have been spared by some of Trump’s sweeping tariffs thanks to carveouts for CUSMA-compliant goods.
- Phil Tsekouras - Digital Journalist, CTV News Toronto
With files from The Canadian Press
