The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be a historic moment for Canada. For the first time, the country will co-host the tournament alongside the United States and Mexico. While Canada qualified for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the team faced a steep learning curve. To succeed on home soil in 2026, the national team is focusing on specific lessons learned from their last performance.
A Recap of Canada at the 2022 World Cup
In 2022, Canada was placed in Group F. Despite high energy and flashes of brilliance, the team lost all three group-stage matches.
| Match Date | Opponent | Result | Canadian Goal Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 23, 2022 | Belgium | 1–0 (Loss) | None |
| Nov 27, 2022 | Croatia | 4–1 (Loss) | Alphonso Davies |
| Dec 1, 2022 | Morocco | 1–2 (Loss) | Own Goal (Nayef Aguerd) |
The team was led by coach John Herdman. While they did not earn any points, the tournament provided a foundation for future growth.
Key Lessons from the 2022 World Cup
For Canada to reach the knockout stages in 2026, several areas of the game require improvement.
1. Converting Chances into Goals
In 2022, Canada proved they could create opportunities. In their opening match against Belgium, they had 22 shots but failed to score. At the World Cup level, efficiency is vital.
The Lesson: Players must improve their finishing skills and stay calm under pressure.
The Progress: Under current coach Jesse Marsch, the team is working on a more pragmatic attacking system to ensure high-quality scoring chances.
2. Defensive Discipline and Coordination
The 2022 matches against Croatia and Morocco showed that defensive errors are punished quickly. Canada's aggressive high-press style left gaps that experienced teams exploited.
The Lesson: Better positioning and defensive marking are necessary when playing against world-class midfielders and strikers.
The Progress: Canada's performance in the 2024 Copa America, where they finished 4th, showed a much more disciplined defensive structure.
3. Building Roster Depth
In Qatar, Canada relied heavily on a small group of star players like Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David. By the third match, fatigue was a visible factor.
The Lesson: A successful tournament run requires 26 capable players, not just a strong starting eleven.
The Progress: New talents like Moïse Bombito and Ismaël Koné have emerged, giving the squad more options and "tournament legs."
4. Managing Game Momentum
Canada often played with extreme speed and energy but struggled to control the tempo of the game.
The Lesson: The team needs to learn when to slow the game down and keep possession to frustrate the opponent.
How Canada is Preparing for 2026
The preparation for 2026 is already well underway. Canada has been placed in Group B for the 2026 tournament, where they will face Switzerland, Qatar, and a European Play-Off winner.
Coaching Stability: Jesse Marsch has shifted the team's culture toward a "two players deep" philosophy at every position.
Home Field Advantage: Canada will play its group matches in Toronto and Vancouver. This eliminates long-distance travel and allows the team to play in front of a supportive local crowd.
High-Level Experience: By participating in the Copa America and scheduling friendlies against top-ranked nations, the players are gaining the "big match" experience they lacked in 2022.
Final Thoughts
The 2022 World Cup was a necessary "welcome back" for Canada soccer. The losses in Qatar were not failures, but rather a roadmap for what needs to change. With improved defense, better finishing, and the advantage of playing at home, Canada is positioned to make a much deeper run in 2026.