Home of football statistics and historyThe 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup is finally underway, marking a huge moment for soccer in Canada. Unlike co-hosts Mexico and the United States, the nation has never hosted the world’s premier tournament before.
One of the perks of being a co-host is that Canada was granted automatic entry to the tournament, ensuring that the Canucks made back-to-back World Cups for the first time. It also means Canada has home advantage throughout the Group Stage, with every game held in either Toronto or Vancouver.
Fans are understandably excited and eager to cheer the Canucks on, while bettors can take advantage of sports betting in Quebec to back all the action. There should be plenty to cheer on at the 2026 World Cup too, with Canada in a prime position to have its best tournament ever.
Canada second-highest ranked team in Group B
Canada hasn’t fared well at the two World Cups the team has previously contested. The Canucks were winless in both 1986 and 2022, exiting at the Group Stage. Things could be very different this year, though.
Canada has enjoyed a rise up the FIFA rankings, and are currently 30th in the world. This makes them the second-highest ranked team in Group B, behind Switzerland (17th) but ahead of Qatar (51st) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (71st). Based on this alone, the Canucks are in contention to not only get their first ever win at a World Cup, but also qualify.
Led by manager Jesse March, Canada has a star-studded team for the first time in its history. Captain Alphonso Davies and Celtic star Alistair Johnston are able to keep the team solid at the back, providing Stephen Eustáquio the cover he needs to control the game from midfield. Up front, Juventus striker Jonathan David is a true world-class player who can be trusted to get goals.
There is every chance that Canada can make its way to the knockout phase of the World Cup, most likely as the second placed team. Even if they drop to third, the new format being used this year can give the Canucks hope.
New tournament format offers help
For the first time at a World Cup, third place can be good enough to escape the Group Stage. The eight best third placed sides will move on with each group’s automatic qualifiers and enter the all-new Round of 32.
FIFA introduced this rule to ensure that teams always have something to play for in the Group Stage. In previous years, a team who lost their opening two games was already eliminated by the final match. Under this new system, where three points could well be enough to progress in third place, teams stay alive through to the end.
Canada will hope to have their points sewn up by the final game, though. They open against Bosnia and Qatar, the two easiest games they’ll get in the group stage. The final outing on 24th June is against Switzerland, who are widely tipped to win Group B.
If Canada need a win to progress then it’ll be a big ask against the Swiss. Still, after a strong slate of warm-up games and with world-class talent on their roster, it’d be brave to think some Game 3 heroics weren’t possible for March’s men.
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