For the first time, Canada will help to host the World Cup.
The Canadians will join with the United States and Mexico to hold the 2026 edition of FIFA's crown jewel tournament. The draw for the event was Friday, setting up the four-team groups for the event.
For Canada, the draw brought plenty of excitement. The spectacle itself included Wayne Gretzky, so you know it's a big deal.
The draw also brought hope for the Canadians. This is a group they can advance out of.
What World Cup group is Canada in?
Canada will be a part of World Cup Group B when the tournament kicks off.
Who is in Canada's World Cup group?
Canada, as a co-host, was a Pot 1 team for the draw, which means the group doesn't include any of the nine highest-ranked teams in the world.
Canada's Group B looks like this:
- Canada
- Qatar
- Switzerland
- UEFA Playoff A
Qatar hosted the last edition of the tournament but is not a known soccer power.
Switzerland will likely pose the biggest threat of this quartet.
The UEFA Playoff A includes Italy taking on Northern Ireland and Wales taking on Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Italy would instantly become the favorite to top this group, or at least co-favorite with Switzerland, if it wins the playoff.
Canadians should be rooting for a different squad to pull an upset in that four-team playoff bracket from which only one comes to the World Cup.
In the 48-team World Cup, the top-two finishers in each group advance to the knockout rounds, as well as the eight-best third-place teams.
More FIFA World Cup draw news:
- USMNT gets massive break at FIFA World Cup draw
- Scotland's World Cup group presents a tall task
- Haiti making 52-year World Cup history
- Some mystery for Ronaldo and Portugal