2026 World Cup: Canada vs. Qatar, Probable Lineups

After drawing their respective opening matches against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Switzerland, Canada and Qatar will face off on the second day of Group B play at the 2026 World Cup at BC Place in Vancouver, in western Canada. The match kicks off at midnight Italian time between Thursday and Friday, 3 p.m. local time. Chilean referee Garay will officiate.

Canada, which entered its first-ever home World Cup with high expectations, disappointed against Bosnia and Herzegovina in its opening match, falling behind on a goal by Lukic and equalizing only in the 78th minute thanks to a strike by Southampton forward Cyle Larin. Larin also scored in the only previous meeting between the two national teams, a friendly played in Toronto on September 23, 2022: that match ended 2-0, with Jonathan David—a striker now with Juventus who was somewhat overshadowed in the first match—also finding the net.

Qatar, meanwhile, surprised more than a few experts against Switzerland, securing its first-ever World Cup point after suffering three straight losses in the 2022 home tournament. Against the Swiss—for whom Embolo’s penalty kick goal just over a quarter of an hour into the match wasn’t enough—an own goal, scored unintentionally by Muheim in the 94th minute, proved decisive: Beyond the result, however, the national team in brown showed unexpected resilience and promises to give even the hosts a run for their money.

Probable Lineups

CANADA (4-4-2): Crepeau; Johnston, De Fougerolles, Cornelius, Laryea; Buchanan, Koné, Eustaquio, Millar; David, Oluwaseyi. Head Coach: Marsch.

QATAR (4-3-3): Abunada; Al-Oui, Pedro Miguel, Khoukhi, Elamin; Gaber, Madibo, Laye; Edmilson Junior, Abdurisag, Afif. Head Coach: Lopetegui.