World Cup 2026: ‘Mixed emotions’ as Canada qualifies from group but loses home advantage

A loss to Switzerland in their final group game on Wednesday means co-hosts Canada will not play another game in their home country at this year’s World Cup.

If Canada had avoided defeat at the top of Group B, they would have been in Vancouver for their last-32 tie and possible last-16 match.

However, a 2-1 loss at BC Place That means Canada finished second behind Switzerland and so Jessie Marsh’s side travel to Los Angeles to play South Africa on Sunday (20:00 BST).

The former Leeds boss, who knocked Canada out of the group stages at the World Cup for the first time, said: “We wanted to be here in Vancouver, but we still have a huge opportunity ahead of us to push for the next game and find a way to still electrify the nation, even though it will be from Los Angeles.

“We came up a little short and that’s unfortunate. But we’re in the knockout round and we’re going to make sure we’re better prepared for it.”

After drawing their opening game against Bosnia-Herzegovina in Toronto, Canada defeated Qatar 6-0 in Vancouver, where they ended the group stage with their first defeat of the tournament.

This is what striker Jonathan David said Sports Illustrated:, outsider “It was good to have a pro-Canada crowd that pushed us every game.

“We’re a little disappointed and it’s mixed emotions. Obviously, we wanted to be in Vancouver, so it’s a shock for everybody not to get it, but we’ll talk about it and get ready for the next one.”