Canada will play its first match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 12 at home in Toronto against Bosnia & Herzegovina. The team will then face Qatar on June 18 and Switzerland on June 24 in Vancouver, competing in Group B as one of the tournament's three co-hosts [1, 2].
Since its World Cup debut in 1986, Canada has never won a match, losing all three group games in both 1986 and 2022. The national team’s goal for 2026 is to break that streak on home soil. Forward Jonathan David, Canada’s all-time leading scorer and Juventus player, said, "First, we need to make sure we score. And then to win a match would be momentous for Canada. After that, the aim is obviously to go as far as possible in the competition" [1].
The squad is led by American coach Jesse Marsch, who took charge in June 2024 and guided Canada to the semifinals of the 2024 Copa America. Marsch’s coaching has earned praise from winger Tajon Buchanan, who assisted Canada’s first-ever World Cup goal in 2022. Buchanan said, "We're a team that has grown so much over the past few years under a new coaching staff with Jesse Marsch. I think he's brought this team to a totally different level. On our day, I think we could beat anybody" [1].
Captain Alphonso Davies, 25, has struggled with injuries throughout 2025 and early 2026. He suffered a torn ACL in March 2025 and continued to face hamstring issues into May 2026, limiting his international play since mid-2024 [1, 2]. Despite these setbacks, Davies’ presence remains important to the team’s ambitions.
The attacking line will rely heavily on Jonathan David and Tajon Buchanan, especially given limited depth on Canada’s right flank [1, 2]. Both players have been prominent figures in recent matches and are expected to play vital roles in Canada’s attempt for its first World Cup victory.
Canada returns to the World Cup finals after a 36-year absence, having last qualified in 1986 and then again in 2022 [1, 2]. The 2026 tournament offers the country a historic opportunity to claim its first win on home soil, with group stage matches scheduled in June in Toronto and Vancouver.