Canada Soccer took another step in scheduling quality matches in advance of Canada’s home World Cup next summer.
On March 19, Canada Soccer announced a new friendly tournament called the Canadian Shield Tournament, which will see the Canadian men’s squad host matches at Toronto’s BMO Field in preparation for Canada’s World Cup opener at the venue a year later.
“Toronto is preparing to play host to the biggest sporting event in the world next summer, and with it, brings the opportunity to make history,” said President and CEO of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE), Keith Pelley. “The Canadian Shield will not only give the Canadian Men’s National Team a chance to prepare against some of the best competition in the world, but it continues to build the excitement for the city and the global fans here of the beautiful game.”
Canada, Cote d’Ivoire, Ukraine and New Zealand have been selected as the four teams that will participate in the inaugural competition during June’s international window, which will be a feisty test for the Canadian side who have high aspirations ahead of the World Cup.
Canada, currently the 31st-ranked team in the world in the latest FIFA World Rankings, will battle the 25th-ranked Ukraine on June 7 before going up against Cote d’Ivoire, the 46th-ranked nation in the world and reigning Africa Cup of Nations champions, on June 10.
In the other two matches of the tournament, New Zealand — the 89th-ranked country in the world, who is one of only four non-host countries to have already qualified for next summer’s soccer spectacle — face Cote d’Ivoire on June 7 in the second match of the doubleheader before battling Ukraine on June 10 to open the day’s schedule.
All matches will require a winner as games will head directly to a penalty shootout if tied after 90 minutes. Teams will be awarded three points for a regulation win, two points for a shootout win and one point for a shootout loss, with a tournament winner being crowned after all four matches are completed.
“Every competitive match from now until the World Cup will be critical to get our team the preparation it needs ahead of welcoming the world next year,” said Jesse Marsch, head coach of Canada. “This is an extraordinary addition to our annual competitive calendar and to be able to play at home in front of our fans again will be really special for our guys.”
Canada last played at home in November when they defeated Suriname in the two-legged quarterfinal of the CONCACAF Nations League, a tournament that Canada finished in third place after beating the Americans 2-1 in the third-place game on March 23.
But the Canadian Shield Tournament allows the Canadian squad the opportunity to play teams from other confederations, something that hasn’t happened since Canada’s 2-1 defeat to Uruguay in the third-place match of the 2024 Copa America last summer.
Having the ability to familiarize themselves with different tactics and styles of play from nations worldwide will be beneficial as Canada prepares to compete in some of the biggest soccer events in the world in the years ahead.
With the Canadian Shield Tournament set to become an annual event at BMO Field, Canada is slated to contend against the world’s best nations on home soil and continue the growth of the Canadian men’s soccer program as they soar to new heights.
For more information about the Canadian Shield Tournament, visit canadasoccer.com.