Seven group games will take place on Canadian soil, either at Toronto Stadium or Vancouver's B.C. Place.Rich Lam/The Canadian Press
Tickets for Canada’s three round-robin games were always going to be hot commodities ahead of the World Cup, but at least potential buyers had a good idea of what they were paying for.
The other seven group games on Canadian soil, on the other hand, were a complete free-for-all, with nobody having any idea of the two teams that would take the pitch for those matches.
That’s all changed following Friday’s draw and Saturday’s schedule reveal, so here’s a look at the seven contests, and what exactly fans can expect to see next summer.
Toronto 2026 World Cup group matches at Toronto Stadium
All times ET
June 17 – Ghana v. Panama, 7 p.m.
Ghana is a long way from the team that was a Luis Suarez handball away from becoming the first African team to reach the World Cup semifinals 15 years ago, having fallen all the away to 72nd in the world rankings. But the Black Stars, as they are known, still have their share of power, with Antoine Semenyo, who stars for Bournemouth in the English Premier League, and Inaki Williams, the brother of Spain star Nico Williams, both powering its offence.
Panama, the 30th-ranked team in the world, will be no strangers to playing in Toronto, having travelled there frequently for World Cup qualifiers in tournaments past, and have often been bolstered by fervent support.
June 20 – Germany v. Ivory Coast, 4 p.m.
Outside of the possibility that Italy and Canada kick off their World Cup on June 12, this will be the big match at BMO Field next summer. Germany – like Italy, a four-time champion – will bring its almost unparalleled tournament pedigree to Canadian soil. Players such as Florian Wirtz, recently transferred to Liverpool for what was then a British-record fee of around $200-million, and Jamal Musiala will provide a lot of attacking verve for the Germans, who will be eyeing a more competitive World Cup after back-to-back group-stage eliminations.
The Ivory Coast, the world No. 42, will be playing its third World Cup, but first since 2014 in Brazil. Since then, however, it has been crowned champions of Africa twice, most recently last year at home in Abidjan. While many will recognize Manchester United winger Amad Diallo, the team’s star turn of late is 19-year-old Red Bull Leipzig forward Yan Diomande, who is making many of Europe’s top clubs sit up and take notice.
June 23 – Croatia v. Panama, 7 p.m.
If Germany’s match takes top billing among the non-Canadian contests at BMO Field, then Croatia’s contest with Panama may well be a close second. Led by the seemingly ageless Luka Modric, the midfield maestro now patrolling the park for AC Milan, Croatia’s golden generation will be back for another shot at the sport’s biggest prize after a third-place finish three years ago and a runners-up spot in Russia. Croatia, ranked 10th in the world, will likely have no shortage of fans in the stands in Toronto.
June 26 – Senegal v. Inter-continental Pathway 2 winner (Bolivia/Suriname/Iraq), 3 p.m.
While the opposition won’t be nailed down until the FIFA inter-confederation playoffs, set to be held in Mexico next March, world No. 19 Senegal opened some eyes over the summer, becoming the first African team to win in England. Despite the absence of former Liverpool forward Sadio Mané, the Lions of Teranga rolled to a 3-1 win over Thomas Tuchel’s team, showcasing their resilience in coming from behind.
Vancouver 2026 World Cup group matches at B.C. Place
All times ET
June 13 – Australia v. UEFA Path C winner (Slovakia/Kosovo/Turkey/Romania), midnight
Showcasing a globetrotting squad, with its players plying their trade in four different continents, Australia is back in the World Cup for the sixth successive time. It will be hoping to go at least one better than it did three years ago, when it lost 2-1 to eventual champion Argentina.
June 21 – New Zealand v. Egypt, 9 p.m.
This will be a meeting between two of the top-five goal scorers from last year’s Premier League. While Egypt’s Mo Salah needs little introduction, after bagging 29 to help his Liverpool team to the league title, New Zealand’s Chris Wood is a little less well known, but he had 20 for Nottingham Forest (who had its best season in years). Both are prolific in the international arena too, with Salah’s 63 goals putting him well clear of Wood, who is New Zealand’s all-time leading scorer with 45.
June 26 – New Zealand v. Belgium, 11 p.m.
Canadians in Vancouver will need little reminder of the talents that Belgium possesses. The Red Devils edged Canada 1-0 in the two teams’ World Cup opener in Qatar. Though Belgium’s ranking may have slipped from years past, the eighth-placed team still has more than enough offensive arsenal.
While long-time icons Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois are into their 30s now, they have been buttressed by players such as Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku and Aston Villa’s Amadou Onana, as Belgium attempts to retool on the fly in its continued pursuit of silverware for its own golden generation.
What's Canada's path to the World Cup?
On Wednesday, Dec. 10 at 1 p.m. ET, sports reporter Paul Attfield and columnist Cathal Kelly will answer reader questions on Canada’s path in the 2026 World Cup and how it could fare in the group matchups and beyond. Submit your questions in the form below, or by e-mailing audience@globeandmail.com with “World Cup” in the subject line.