The possibility of seeing Italy's famed Azzurri play on Canadian soil has sent waves of excitement through Vancouver's soccer community following the official draw for the FIFA 2026 World Cup.
A Family's Dream Draw
For local coach and lifelong fan Corrado Lenzi, watching the draw unfold on television with his 11-year-old son Luca was a moment of pure disbelief. The results indicated that Italy, the national team of his family's heritage, could be headed to Vancouver as a European playoff winner.
"We stared at each other, thinking, what are the odds?" Lenzi recounted. "Italy in Canada — it would be a win-win for us, no matter who wins." For Lenzi, soccer is a family tradition passed down from his father, who migrated from Naples and later ran the La Rocca restaurant on Commercial Drive for over twenty years.
Vancouver's World Cup Schedule
BC Place in Vancouver is set to host seven matches during the expanded 2026 tournament. The city will welcome five group-stage games and two knockout-round contests, offering local fans unprecedented access to world-class football.
The confirmed schedule for Vancouver includes:
- Canada vs. Qatar on June 18, 2026.
- Canada vs. Switzerland on June 24, 2026.
- Australia vs. a playoff winner (Turkey, Romania, Slovakia, or Kosovo).
- Two matches featuring Belgium, Iran, Egypt, and New Zealand.
The final spot in Vancouver's group could be filled by the winner of a European playoff between Italy, Northern Ireland, Wales, or Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Community Anticipation Builds
The mere chance of Italy playing in Vancouver has already sparked plans for massive community gatherings. Lenzi noted that if he can't secure tickets, he'll head to Commercial Drive, the historic heart of the city's Italian community.
"That neighbourhood is going to be packed when Italy plays," he predicted. "The Italian community here is going to be absolutely nuts. There are some big players on that team, including goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, that I’m thrilled over."
The excitement extends beyond the Italian community. Nam Lamda, who moved to Vancouver from Delhi four years ago, expressed her thrill at the prospect of seeing Belgium's star-studded squad play at BC Place.
The draw has transformed the 2026 World Cup from a global event into a deeply personal and local celebration for Vancouverites, connecting family heritage, community pride, and world-class sport in a once-in-a-generation opportunity.
