Canada had a favorable start in the men’s World Cup draw in Washington D.C. until they reached Pot 4. Instead of a weaker team, they drew the winner of UEFA Playoff A, which includes strong contenders like Italy, ranked 12th globally, competing against Wales, Bosnia, and Northern Ireland in March. Prior to this, Canada had already picked 17th-ranked Switzerland and 51st-ranked Qatar, which were considered favorable selections compared to other potential opponents.

The prospect of facing Italy in their opening match in Toronto on June 12 left head coach Jesse Marsch looking serious at the Kennedy Center. Despite the challenge, Marsch remained composed, emphasizing his readiness to prepare for the match and accepting the uncertainty until March when Italy and 21 other teams will vie for the remaining spots in the expanded 48-team tournament.

The atmosphere was tense leading up to the draw, with high security around the Kennedy Center and prominent figures like U.S. President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in attendance. The draw event, hosted by Kevin Hart and Heidi Klum with FIFA president Gianni Infantino, aimed to bring some light-heartedness to the occasion.

Canada, placed in Group B due to co-hosting with the U.S. and Mexico, found themselves in Pot 1, although they would typically be in Pot 3 based on FIFA’s rankings. Many countries hoped to land in Group B due to Canada being perceived as a weaker top seed, with alternatives like Argentina, France, Spain, and England posing tougher challenges.

Switzerland was drawn as Canada’s main opponent, with Marsch acknowledging the tough game ahead but expressing optimism about the matchup. Qatar from Pot 3 was a favorable draw for Canada, avoiding stronger teams. However, the real challenge came from Pot 4, where Canada ended up with a difficult draw after Wayne Gretzky revealed the team’s fate.

After the event concluded, Marsch adopted a more positive outlook, considering the uncertainties surrounding Italy’s performance. While the prospect of facing Italy in Toronto excited him, Marsch also made a playful remark about Italian-Canadians supporting Canada. With renewed optimism, Marsch embraced the spirit of the World Cup, gearing up for the upcoming challenges and the excitement of the tournament ahead.