Fifa World Cup 2026: What you need to know about Canada

Get the lowdown onevery team at the 2026 World Cup. Here we take a closer look at co-hosts Canada, who impressed on a run to the semi-finals at the 2024 Copa America.

What can I expect from Canada?

Coach Jesse Marsch has been unabashed in repeatedly labelling this "the best squad Canada's ever had" – and it's easy to see why.

He has a core group of players in their twenties – many of them making their mark in European leagues – who are blessed with the energy and athleticism his high-pressing system demands.

Lining up as a traditional 4-4-2, their threat is two-fold; harass opposition defenders to win the ball back high up the pitch or counter-attack with devastating pace down the wings.

It's an emotional way of playing – dubbed 'Maplepressing' by the Canadian media – which, given their status as co-hosts, might be turbo-charged in front of home crowds in Toronto and Vancouver (twice). "Every player is clear what we do," Marsch asserted.

What are Canada's strengths?

The camaraderie Marsch has installed is enviable, having sought to widen his player pool without compromising on team spirit. The pace and trickery of Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies – when fit – and Villarreal's Tajon Buchanan on the flanks are key weapons in attack. The ace in the pack? Record scorer Jonathan David of Juventus.

And what about their weaknesses?

Uncertainty about the goalkeeper situation seems to have been settled, with Marsch announcing that Maxime Crepeau will get the nod over Dayne St. Clair, but both have had inconsistent MLS seasons. The number of players returning from injury must also be a worry given Canada's high-tempo style.

How might Canada line up?

Which players should I look out for?

Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies, 25, is considered one of Canada's finest-ever players and the seven-time Bundesliga winner scored their maiden World Cup goal in Qatar. Injury means he'll miss opening game against Bosnia on 12 June; Canada pray he's fit for the rest.

The top-scoring Canadian in Champions League history, Jonathan David, 26, shone on the big stage for Lille, where he won Ligue 1 in 2020-21, before last summer's move to Juventus. He surpassed Cyle Larin as Canada's record scorer in 2024 and now has 39 goals.

Davies aside, Villarreal's Tajon Buchanan, 27, is Canada's most explosive option in attack. The wideman is a regular in La Liga after a disappointing spell with AC Milan. Watch out for his many stepovers.

Who is Canada's head coach?

Ex-Leeds United boss Jesse Marsch, 52, the first American to manage Canada, took over ahead of the 2024 Copa America and guided them to fourth. He was the USA's assistant coach at South Africa 2010, four months after retiring as a player.

How did Canada qualify?

Automatically, as co-hosts. They haven't played a competitive game since losing to Guatemala on penalties in a CONCACAF Gold Cup quarter-final in June 2025.

Where can I watch Canada?

All of Canada's matches will also be covered live on the BBC Sport website and app with updates, analysis, and fan reaction. Come and be part of it!

Give me a fact to impress my friends

Star man Alphonso Davies was born in a refugee camp in Ghana after his parents fled war-torn Liberia. After moving to Canada in 2005, he attended his first training session as a boy speaking broken English, with no boots - now he's arguably the greatest player in Canada's history.

Now give me some proper detail

In the land where ice hockey and lacrosse rule the roost, football is beginning to take a serious foothold. Youth participation in Canada is through the roof, and the national team are beginning to reap the dividends.

Head coach Jesse Marsch, perhaps wisely, has stopped short of using the term 'golden generation' to describe his young, multicultural squad, but it is implied in some of the American's observations.

His appointment was seen as something of a coup for Canada Soccer and he steered Les Rouges to their highest ever world ranking of 26 in September 2025. Progress beyond the group stage is definitely the aim.

One vital hurdle to overcome is the lack of match sharpness in those players – and there are many, particularly in defence – who have missed out on so much football through injury this season.

Far-fetched though it may seem, if Canada were to top their group the draw would provide them with potentially two more games in Vancouver.

Canada Day, a national holiday, falls on July 1, during the Round of 32 – what a party it will be if Marsch's likeable team are still involved in the competition.

How have Canada done at previous World Cups?

Canada have lost all six of their World Cup games across their two appearances. They failed to score a goal in 1986 but did at least get on the scoresheet twice in 2022 (although one was an own goal).