A snapshot look at the seven World Cup games to be played at Vancouver’s BC Place

Australia received a last-minute talent injection when playmaker Cristian Volpato switched his allegiance from Italy just days before the 27th-ranked Socceroos named their roster.

Turkey is back in the tournament for the first time since 2002, when the country made the semifinals.

Under the direction of head coach and former Italy striker Vincenzo Montella, the Turks have climbed six spots in the FIFA rankings since December 2024 and head into the tournament sitting at No. 22.

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JUNE 18 

CANADA VS. QATAR

Tournament co-host Canada has struggled with injuries in recent months but could get some key pieces back before facing No. 56 Qatar.

The Canadians come in ranked 30th and are still seeking their first-ever World Cup win.

Striker Almoez Ali leads a Qatar side looking to rebound from the 2022 tournament, in which it became the first host nation to lose all three group-stage matches.

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JUNE 21  

NEW ZEALAND VS. EGYPT

New Zealand comes in as the lowest-ranked team in the tournament, sitting at No. 85.

Egypt, currently ranked 29th, went unbeaten in World Cup qualifying and reached the Africa Cup of Nations semifinals in January.

Mohamed Salah highlights the Egyptian squad, heading into the tournament just weeks after playing his final game for Liverpool in the English Premier League.

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JUNE 24

SWITZERLAND VS. CANADA

Switzerland went unbeaten in qualifying to reach its sixth consecutive World Cup, and the nation is looking to reach the knockout stage for the fourth tournament in a row.

The 19th-ranked Swiss are led by captain Granit Xhaka, who’s set to play in soccer’s biggest showcase for the fourth time.

Canada is making its third World Cup appearance, but has scored just one goal in the tournament. The tally came from current captain Alphonso Davies in a 4-1 loss to Croatia in 2022.

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JUNE 26 

NEW ZEALAND VS. BELGIUM

In a David versus Goliath matchup, New Zealand striker Chris Wood and his All Whites teammates will look to shock No. 9 Belgium.

Star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne headlines a Belgian squad stacked with World Cup experience.

Head coach Rudi Garcia also opted to include striker Romelu Lukaku on Belgium’s roster, despite his continued recovery from a hamstring injury.

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JULY 2 

ROUND OF 32

The first-place finisher in Group B — made up of Canada, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Qatar and Switzerland — will take on a third-place team from Groups E, F, G, I or J.

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JULY 7 

ROUND OF 16

With the field narrowed to just 16 teams, the winner of the July 2 game in Vancouver will take on the winner of a round-of-32 tilt to be held in Kansas City on July 3.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 11, 2026.

Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

A snapshot look at the seven World Cup games to be played at Vancouver’s BC Place

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