TODAY: Big game for Canada vs. Qatar in Vancouver on World Cup Day 8
Published 9:00 am Thursday, June 18, 2026
Game 2 for Canada at the FIFA World Cup is a big one against Qatar, with both squads level in Group B standings.
Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina both have a single point, too, after all four teams tied their tournament-opening games last week.
Today in Vancouver, BC Place Stadium hosts Canada-Qatar at 3 p.m. local time (Thursday, June 18), in the second World Cup match played there in less than a week, the first involving Canada.
The game might be the biggest in the history of the Canadian men’s soccer program, as a win would all but lock up a trip past the group stage.
Led by American coach Jesse Marsch, Canada will look to capitalize on chances against Qatar — something the team struggled with in a 1-1 tie with Bosnia and Herzegovina last Friday, June 12, in Toronto.
The reactions around Canada to their first FIFA World Cup goal of 2026! pic.twitter.com/jiZ3iO0DrY
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) June 12, 2026
Good news for Canada: Captain Alphonso Davies will be available to play against Qatar, Marsch announced Wednesday.
The Qatar squad, which hosted the World Cup in 2022, is known for a disciplined playing style focused on retaining possession, building through midfield and maintaining a compact defensive structure.
Looking ahead, Canada’s final group-stage match could be a massive encounter with Switzerland next Wednesday, June 24, noon kickoff at the stadium in Vancouver.
Your FIFA World Cup 26 #CANMNT Squad 🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/y8eJcbFOAF
— CANMNT (@CANMNT_Official) June 16, 2026
Before that, the third World Cup game at BC Place Stadium is Sunday, June 21 when New Zealand battles Egypt, 6 p.m. start.
The 39-day, 104-game soccer tournament involves 12 groups of four teams for a total of 48 squads in action in Groups A to L, round-robin matches to start.
All games lead to the World Cup Final, July 19 in New York City.
READ MORE: World Cup numbers: 39 days, 104 matches during FIFA soccer tournament.