The global football map has been redrawn for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and Canada is firmly at its center for a series of blockbuster matches. The official draw, held on Friday, December 5, 2025, has confirmed that three of Europe's football powerhouses—Belgium, Germany, and Croatia—will play their group stage games on Canadian soil.
European Football Giants Land in Canadian Venues
The draw ceremony, watched by eager fans at events like a packed watch party in Vancouver, B.C., determined the fate of the 48 competing nations. Canada, as a co-host nation alongside the United States and Mexico, was already guaranteed a place. However, the draw revealed which other elite teams will be traveling north. The confirmation that Belgium, a recent world number one, the four-time champion Germany, and the 2018 finalist Croatia will play in Canada is a major coup for local fans, promising a festival of top-tier international football.
Toronto Set for World Cup Spotlight
While the specific match schedule is still to be finalized, it has been confirmed that Toronto will be one of the primary Canadian host cities for the group stage. The city's BMO Field, slated for expansion, is expected to be the venue where Canadian fans can witness these European titans in action. The draw places these teams into groups that will be partially hosted in Canada, meaning fans in Toronto and potentially other Canadian cities will have the unique opportunity to see world-class talent without leaving the country.
A Historic Moment for Canadian Soccer
The 2026 tournament represents a historic milestone as the first World Cup hosted across three nations and the first to feature 48 teams. Securing group games for teams of this caliber underscores Canada's significant role in the mega-event. It provides an unprecedented boost for the sport's profile nationally and offers a once-in-a-generation experience for Canadian supporters. The excitement was palpable at draw watch parties across the country, signaling the start of a long-awaited countdown to the games in the summer of 2026.
As preparations intensify over the next year and a half, Canadian cities will ramp up infrastructure and fan engagement plans. The presence of teams like Belgium, Germany, and Croatia not only guarantees sold-out stadiums but also focuses the eyes of the global football community on Canada's hosting capabilities, setting the stage for an unforgettable chapter in the nation's sporting history.
