By Elke Porter | WBN News World Sports | December 7, 2025
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VANCOUVER — BC Place will host seven matches during the 2026 tournament, including two games featuring Canada's national team, following last week's draw that determined the global soccer championship's complete schedule.

The action begins June 13, 2026, when Australia faces a yet-to-be-determined European opponent at 9 p.m. The tournament expands to 48 teams for the first time, with Canada, Mexico, and the United States sharing hosting duties across 16 cities.

Canada's squad opens their tournament June 12 in Toronto before traveling west to Vancouver. The team faces Qatar on June 18 at 3 p.m., followed by a challenging matchup against Switzerland on June 24 at noon. Both games take place at BC Place, giving hometown fans critical opportunities to support the national team.

New Zealand features prominently in Vancouver's schedule, playing twice at BC Place. The squad meets Egypt on June 21 before taking on Belgium on June 26. Vancouver also hosts two knockout stage contests: a Round of 32 match on July 2 and a Round of 16 game on July 7.

Tournament organizers structured the schedule to minimize team travel while maximizing rest periods between matches. Kickoff times accommodate optimal playing conditions while ensuring maximum global viewership across multiple time zones.

Canada enters Group B ranked 27th globally, facing 17th-ranked Switzerland, 51st-ranked Qatar, and a European playoff winner. Switzerland presents Canada's toughest challenge on paper, though Qatar qualified as Asian champions and shouldn't be underestimated. The European opponent remains unknown until March playoffs determine whether Italy, Wales, Northern Ireland, or Bosnia and Herzegovina claims the spot.

Analysts suggest Canada must win at least one home match to advance. The June 18 contest against Qatar represents the best opportunity, though Switzerland's June 24 game could prove decisive depending on earlier results.

Tournament officials anticipate hundreds of thousands of visitors will descend on Vancouver during the month-long celebration. Ticket sales enter a random selection phase December 11, running through January 13 at the official tournament website.

Vancouver joins Toronto in hosting 13 Canadian matches, showcasing the nation's growing soccer infrastructure on the world's biggest sporting stage.

Elke Porter at:
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TAGS: #Vancouver World Cup #BC Place 2026 #Canada Soccer #World Cup 2026 #Vancouver Events #FIFA 2026 #WBN News Vancouver #WBN News World Sports Edition #Elke Porter

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