Name: Best- and worst-case scenarios for Canada’s World Cup draw
Uploaded: 2025-12-05T14:21:53.428Z
Duration: 2 min 3 s
Description: Friday’s FIFA World Cup draw in Washington will determine the groups and matchups for the tournament’s opening round. For The National, CBC’s Jamie Strashin lays down the best- and worst-case scenarios for Canada.

Friday’s FIFA World Cup draw in Washington will determine the groups and matchups for the tournament’s opening round. For The National, CBC’s Jamie Strashin lays down the best- and worst-case scenarios for Canada.

Washington

Canada, alongside Mexico and the United States, will host the 48-team FIFA World Cup, with the group stage draw set to take place in Washington. The draw will determine Canada's opponents for the opening round, with scenarios ranging from facing top-ranked teams like Croatia and Italy to potentially easier matchups against lower-ranked nations.

This marks Canada's third World Cup appearance, and the team will play its first match on June 12 in Toronto. Former players and fans alike highlight the significance of home advantage and express anticipation as the country prepares to learn its World Cup fate.

Best- and worst-case scenarios for Canada’s World Cup draw

Early ball inside. Promise Davis! After years of preparation and anticipation a clear picture of Canada's World Cup journey is about to emerge. Luck of the draw is just hugely important in terms of setting teams up for success or failure. Three countries. Alongside Mexico and the United States Canada will host the 48-team tournament this summer. A draw held Friday in Washington will determine the groups and match-ups for the opening round. Countries have been divided into four so-called pots with the hosts and top-ranked sides in pot one. The remaining pots are based on world rankings. For Canada a bad scenario could see them in a group with tough opponents like Croatia, Norway and if they qualify, Italy. A much easier road for Canada would see games against lower-ranked nations. Austria, South Africa and New Zealand. The wonderful thing about the World Cup is you kind of get sort of pooled into a group against teams that you know you don't normally play. This will be Canada's third World Cup appearance. In 2022, Canada was in a group of perennial powerhouses and lost all three games. Bob Lenarduzzi played on Canada's first World Cup side in 1986 and says no matter who Canada draws home field will be a huge advantage. Anytime you pull the the red jersey on as a player you feel, I mean I'm getting goosebumps now as I'm saying you feel a sense of pride. And the fact that you're playing in a World Cup in your backyard, well that pride is just going to go through the roof. Canada will play its first game June 12th in Toronto. Fans like Azad Shaikh who has traveled to multiple World Cups can't wait to see who they'll be up against. Almost like a Christmas Eve kind of feeling. So we'll have the whole family together tomorrow without snacks. We'll be watching everything unfold. He certainly won't be alone. As the road to the most watched tournament in the world takes shape. Jamie Straschen, CBC News, Toronto.

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