Here’s a look at the games that will make up B.C. Place’s participation in the tournament, with the Seattle fixtures as an added bonus for anyone willing to cross the border.<\/p>\n
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Published Dec 06, 2025 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 4 minute read<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n You can save this article by registering for free here<\/a>. Or sign-in<\/a> if you have an account.<\/p>\n Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page.<\/p>\n The World Cup schedule is set. The groups have been drawn. Here\u2019s a look at the games that will make up B.C. Place<\/a>\u2019s participation in the tournament, with the Seattle fixtures as an added bonus for anyone willing to cross the border.<\/p>\n Advertisement 2<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events.Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account.The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.<\/p>\n SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events.Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account.The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.<\/p>\n REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/p>\n THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an Account<\/p>\n or<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Saturday, June 13, TBD Article content<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Thursday, June 18 Canucks Report<\/p>\n Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Advertisement 3<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Sunday, June 21 Wednesday, June 24 Advertisement 4<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Friday June 26 Round 32<\/p>\n Thursday, July 2, 11 p.m. Round 16 Advertisement 5<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Seattle Friday, June 19, 3 p.m. Bonus: the possibility of seeing Vancouver Whitecaps Sebastian Berhalter or Brian White, should they make the squad.<\/p>\n Advertisement 6<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Wednesday, June 24, 3 p.m. Friday, June 26, 11 p.m. Wednesday, July 1, 4 p.m. Monday, July 6, 8 p.m. Read More<\/p>\n ‘A dream come true’: Vancouver fans react to FIFA 2026 World Cup draw<\/p>\n![\"world](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/soc-wcup-schedule_300245594.jpg\")
From left: Alexi Lalas and Ronaldo listen as FIFA President Gianni Infantino and host Andr\u00e9s Cantor applaude as Francesco Totti, and Hristo Stoichkov look on during the match schedule reveal for the 2026 soccer World Cup in Washington, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. Photo by Chris Carlson \/APArticle content<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/20.1.2\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-vp.svg\"){kind=logo}
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Australia (26) vs. Turkey (25)\/Romania(47)\/Slovakia(45)\/Kosavo(80)
Sure, their name is kind of funny \u2014 the Socceroos! \u2014 but anyone who has faced down one of those large jumping marsupials built for disembowling in the wild knows the Roos are no joke.
They are ranked higher than three of their four potential opponents in this game (Romania 47, Slovakia (45), Kosavo (80) with only Turkey (25) bettering Australia\u2019s 25th place.
And gut check time \u2014 just ask the U.S. how dangerous Australia is. (They play each other in Seattle in the second game, but more on that later).
Australia are used to tough draws, having been put in groups with the likes of France, Argentina and Spain in the past, making 2026 the first time in their seven World Cups they haven\u2019t had a former champ in their group.
The Socceroos are competent offensively \u2014 their 16 goals in qualifying was second to Japan\u2019s 30 \u2014 but they don\u2019t score a ton, unless their opponents are Indonesia or Palestine.
Their strength lies in being a steely, disciplined side with a well-organized back five. They also beat Canada 1-0 in a friendly last year.
Who their opponent, B.C. Place<\/a> will get a quality opening match.<\/p>\n
Canada vs. Qatar, 6 p.m.
It\u2019s host versus the former host. Canada\u2019s first game on the West Coast, where they could stay up until the Round of 16.
These two sides played a friendly in the leadup to the 2022 World Cup, with that magical, surging Canadian side posting a comfortable 2-0 win through goals from Cyle Larin and Jonathan David. The Qataris rarely threatened in that game, only managing two shots on target while the Reds had 60 per cent possession.
While the momentum of their qualifying run last time around has been absent, Jesse Marsch still has a side that should handle this game.<\/p>\n![\"Canucks](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/20.1.2\/websites\/images\/newsletters\/icon-vs-canucksReport.svg\"\/){kind=icon}
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New Zealand vs. Egypt, 9 p.m.
The Kiwis are the lowest-ranked team currently in the World Cup, and Mo Salah and the Pharaohs have to be feeling confident.
Belgium and Iran are also part of the group, giving Egypt a realistic shot of advancing to the knockout round.
The Pharaohs should be crowned kings in this one.<\/p>\n
Switzerland vs. Canada, 3 p.m.
Regardless of who the Reds face out of the European playoff spot in Toronto (their tournament opener in Toronto on June), this could determine their hopes of advancing out of the group.
The Swiss are a team with no glaring weaknesses, and plenty of strengths, including their defence.
Canada will need a positive result against Switzerland and whomever the Euro qualifier will be if they are hoping to get out of Group B.<\/p>\n
New Zealand vs. Belgium, 11 p.m.
Belgium hasn\u2019t lost a Euro or World Cup qualifying game in a decade, cruising into 2026 with an 6-0-2 mark in the final round. The Kiwis should pose little threat to the eighth-ranked Belgians, who have seen Man City winger Doku take over as the star from venerable midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, who will turn 35 during the tournament and is recovering from a hamstring injury.<\/p>\n
Group B winner versus 3rd EFGIJ
Who will top Group B? Switzerland? Canada? Italy? No clue. But it\u2019s the knockout round. Do or die.<\/p>\n
Tuesday July 7
Winner Game 85 versus winner game 87 (1K vs 3rd DEIJL in KC on Friday July 3
The winner of the playoff game in Vancouver will feature in this match, which will take on the game 87 victor, a fixture that will include the Group K champ.<\/p>\n
Monday, June 15, 3 p.m.
Belgium vs. Egypt
Seattle doesn\u2019t get a game until the tournament is five days old, but it\u2019s a good one. Whichever side wins this has the leg up on topping the group. But it\u2019s not the best game you\u2019ll see at Lumen Field.<\/p>\n
USA vs. Australia
These two teams played a friendly earlier this year, with the U.S. winning 2-1.
Defender Chris Richards seethed over the physical nature of the game, which saw 29 fouls but only two yellows \u2014 one to Richards.
The Socceroos were \u201clucky it was a friendly,\u201d he said. \u201cI was ready to go. If (the referee) didn\u2019t give me a yellow in the corner, I probably would\u2019ve killed somebody.\u201d<\/p>\n
Euro Path C vs. Qatar
The Qataris haven\u2019t won a World Cup game yet, and to ask them to do it against the European playoff winner is a tall ask.<\/p>\n
Egypt vs. Iran
Need we delve into the geopolitical ramifications of two nations who have been at odds, including armed conflict, for years? Relations have significantly warmed in recent decades, but it will be a tense battle between two teams from the same region.<\/p>\n
Group G winner vs AEHIJ
We should see Belgium in this game, though it could easily be Egypt.<\/p>\n
W81 vs. W82
A round of 16 match. Nothing more needs to be said.<\/p>\n![\"Soccer](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1205-lenzi.jpg\")
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