Friday December 5, 2025 | VICTORIA, BC [Posted at 11 am PT | Updated 11:59 am & 1:11 pm PT]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
TSN all-day coverage of the December 5 Final Draw event.
Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney drew the first ceremonial ball in the warmup to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Draw event in Washington, DC today.
Three world leaders of the three host countries of FIFA World Cup 2026™ were lined up to ultimately draw the name of their own country from a clear bowl of festive balls in front of them at the podium: Carney for Canada; Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum; and US President Donald Trump.
It was a glitzy Hollywood-style game-show type event in front of thousands in a live audience at the Kennedy Centre in Washington, DC.
Private tri-lateral meeting:
After the FIFA event, the three North American leaders met privately without staff, reportedly for 45 minutes (starting around 3 pm ET / 12 noon PT).
The tri-lateral meeting — that it happened and the way that it happened — is politically and procedurally significant given the trade issues that are happening between the three countries USA, Canada and Mexico.
Prime Minister Carney’s remarks:
Carney made a few remarks: “It is the biggest of deals, Giovanni… it’s the number one sport for Canadian boys and girls — two thirds of the country watched the last World Cup and we are partnered with the US and Mexico, welcoming the world,” said Carney.
“There are more than 200 nationalities in Canada, more than 200 nationalities in FIFA. The top 48 are coming to North America. It is going to be the biggest deal ever!,” said Carney on stage at the Kennedy Centre live during the event.
Peace prize to Trump:
US President Donald J Trump was given a FIFA peace prize on stage by FIFA President Giovanni Infantino — reason given as Trump’s unwavering commitment to advancing peace and unity around the world.
Match schedule for Canada:
The match allocation process that follows the draw aims to ensure the best possible conditions for all teams and spectators while, where possible, enabling fans all over the world to watch their teams play live across different time zones.
In total there will be six matches in Toronto and seven in Vancouver.
Presently the match schedule shows Toronto Stadium in Toronto, Ontario as the location for:
Match 3 – Group B (Canada #1) – Toronto Stadium – Friday June 12, 2026 – against either Italy, Bosnia, North Ireland or Wales
Match 21 – Group L – Toronto Stadium – Wed June 17, 2026
Match 33 – Group E – Toronto Stadium – Sat June 20, 2026
Match 46 – Group L – Toronto Stadium – Tues June 23, 2026
Match 62 – Group I – Toronto Stadium – Fri June 26, 2026
Match 83 – Group K runners-up v Group L runners-up – Toronto Stadium – Thurs July 2, 2026
Presently the match schedule shows BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, BC as the location for:
- Match 6 – Group D – BC Place Vancouver – June 13, 2026
- Match 27 – Group B – (Canada #2) – BC Place Vancouver – June 18, 2026 – against Qatar
- Match 40 – Group G – BC Place Vancouver – June 21, 2026
- Match 51 – Group B (Canada #3) – BC Place Vancouver – June 24, 2026 – against Switizerland
- Match 64 – Group G – BC Place Vancouver – June 26, 2026
- Match 85 – Group B winners v Group E/F/G/I/J third place – BC Place Vancouver – July 2, 2026
- Match 96 (Winner match 85 v Winner match 87) – July 7, 2026
Match reveal on Dec 6:
FIFA will unveil the updated match schedule for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ in a live global broadcast on Saturday December 6 at 12 ET (9 am PT) from Washington, DC.
Meanwhile, from today’s announcement, it’s known that Canada’s first game will be played at Toronto Stadium against either Italy, Bosnia, North Ireland or Wales. Canada’s second game (on June 18 at BC Place in Vancouver) will be payed against Qatar. Then the third game for Canada’s soccer team will be played on June 24 at BC Place against the team from Switizerland.
Tomorrow, the venues and kick-off times for all 104 matches will be confirmed.
The broadcast on Saturday will be carried live across FIFA platforms, including FIFA.com and FIFA’s YouTube channel, as a way for fans to follow the announcements in real time. A live broadcast feed will also be made available to broadcasters worldwide.
Unveiled by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who will be joined on stage by FIFA Legends, and in the audience by representatives of all 42 qualified teams as well as those still in contention, FIFA says that the reveal show promises to be one of the most significant moments on the road to 2026.
The final version of the match schedule will be available in March 2026, once the FIFA and European play-offs have taken place and the final six slots have been filled.
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