Canada’s 2026 World Cup journey may start with a match against Jordan, Cabo Verde, Ghana, or New Zealand, or they could face Italy in their opener at Toronto’s BMO Field on June 12. Co-host Mexico could be their Round of 32 opponent if they both finish as group runners-up. The full tournament pathway will be revealed at the December 5 draw in Washington, D.C., but FIFA’s draw procedure hints at what’s to come.
The 48-team, 104-game soccer showcase will see the three co-hosts in Pot A, with the top-ranked teams, and the rest divided by rankings in Pots B, C, and D. Pot D will include potential higher-ranked teams from the FIFA Playoff Tournament and European playoffs.
Italy might have to overcome Northern Ireland and either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina to secure a World Cup spot. Canada is set to face teams from different pots in Group B before proceeding to Vancouver for subsequent matches.
The group winners, runners-up, and top third-place teams will advance to the knockout rounds. The draw will ensure top-ranked teams like Spain and Argentina are on separate sides, delaying potential clashes until the final stages. The match schedule with venues and times will be released on December 6.
Canada, ranked 41st at the time, will seek redemption after a winless 2022 World Cup. In their previous appearances, they struggled in the tournament, conceding goals without securing a victory.
The World Cup draw pots are structured with top-ranked teams like Canada, Mexico, U.S., Spain, and others in Pot 1, followed by teams like Croatia, Morocco, and Colombia in Pot 2, and so on in Pots 3 and 4, including various qualifiers and playoff winners.