Canadian and British Columbia (B.C.) soccer icon Christine Sinclair expresses her excitement about the FIFA 2026 Men’s World Cup following the recent draw. Canada’s national men’s team, ranked 27th, is set to play against Qatar and Switzerland at B.C. Place Stadium in Vancouver on June 18 and June 24, respectively. Their opening match in Toronto on June 12 will be against an undecided European opponent from Italy, Northern Ireland, Wales, or Bosnia.
Switzerland, ranked 17th globally, and Qatar, placed 51st, are the teams Canada will face. Sinclair, a veteran of six World Cups, sees the draw as a pivotal moment for athletes to start visualizing the upcoming matches and preparing strategies against specific rivals.
The outcome of the draw has sparked enthusiasm among the players, with Sinclair acknowledging the fast-approaching reality of the tournament. Should Canada top their group, they will continue playing in Vancouver for the round-of-32 and potentially the round-of-16 matches. Finishing second in the group would pit them against the runner-up of Mexico’s Group A.
Sinclair, who hosted a viewing event for the draw in Vancouver, expressed her satisfaction with Canada’s opponents, deeming matches against Switzerland and Qatar as winnable. She is optimistic about Canada’s chances in the tournament.
The official tournament schedule is scheduled for release on Saturday. Swiss Consul General in Vancouver, Thomas Schneider, shared his excitement about Switzerland playing in Vancouver, considering it a dream come true. Statistics from Canada’s Census show a significant Swiss presence in B.C., with Schneider anticipating a strong Swiss fan base traveling to the games.
Sinclair hopes to attend the Canadian matches in person, acknowledging the high demand for tickets. She emphasized the special atmosphere the World Cup will bring, drawing parallels to the excitement during the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.
B.C. Premier David Eby highlighted the economic and social benefits the World Cup will bring to the province, emphasizing the positive impact on the community and youth development through sports facilities and engagement. He humorously reflected on his personal experience with soccer, noting his love for orange slices.
