The Latest from the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada

The Latest from the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada
The Latest from the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada
Canada's Alphonso Davies participates during a FIFA World Cup training session in Vancouver on Tuesday, June 23, 2026.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
Writer

Here are the latest developments from the 2026 FIFA World Cup. All times Eastern:

1:20 p.m.

Switzerland has arrived at BC Place. Players walked out onto the field wearing maroon warmup jackets and shorts and used their phones to record the somewhat subdued atmosphere inside the stadium.

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1:02 p.m.

The Canada supporters' march to BC Place is underway, led by five enormous Vancouver police horses. Like much of the crowd, the horses are wearing Canadian flags as capes as they lead the contingent that's chanting, singing and has been setting off red smoke canisters. The street is packed as they head towards the "last mile" walk to the stadium

12:50 p.m.

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim is among the fans at the Canada supporters' march to BC Place, draped in a Canadian flag. Sim has been a vocal champion of the tournament, saying this week that the city has been 'absolutely killing it.'

12:35 p.m.

It's safe to say the Swiss fans will be outnumbered by Canada supporters in BC Place Stadium, but it's hard to tell visually. Supporters of both sides are heading into the stadium ahead of kickoff at noon local time, and both contingents are dressed primarily in red and white, the national colours of both countries.

The Latest from the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada Switzerland head coach Murat Yakin reacts during a news conference on the eve of the team's World Cup soccer match against Switzerland, Tuesday, June 23, 2026 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

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12:25 p.m.

Canada fans assembling for their march to BC Place stadium in Vancouver have been practising the Canadian canoe row, which appears to have been inspired by the viral Viking row popularized by Norwegian players and fans. The Canadian version is one-sided and best enjoyed standing, while the Norwegian version is typically performed seated and involves rowers paddling on both sides.

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12:03 p.m.

Vancouver police say five of their horses will be leading the fan march by Canadian supporters to BC Place that is scheduled to set off around 10 a.m. local time (1 p.m. ET). Police say the horses — Larry, Kingston, Angus, Bud, and Nelson — are a mix of Clydesdale, Percheron draft, quarter horse cross, and thoroughbred cross horses. They're telling fans to give the horses that each weigh 1,600 to 1,800 pounds plenty of space and not to pat them.

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12 p.m.

Canada fans plan to honour injured midfielder Ismaël Koné ahead of today’s World Cup match against Switzerland, waving thousands of No. 8 cards during their march to BC Place. Koné suffered a broken leg in Canada’s 6-0 win over Qatar after a tackle by midfielder Asim Madibo, who later visited the Canadian player in Vancouver alongside Qatar’s sports minister. Photos of the visit were posted last night on the Qatar Football Association’s Instagram account.

The Latest from the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada Canada's Ismael Kone waves to the crowd as he is stretchered off the field after an injury during the World Cup Group B soccer match between Canada and Qatar in Vancouver, British Columbia, Thursday, June 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Emma Peterson)

11:30 a.m.

Swiss supporters are gathering at Vancouver's Olympic Village Square for their fan march to BC Place Stadium. The nation's consulate general is telling them to have their red shirts ready, flags packed and "cowbells polished."

10:20 a.m.

Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to be among the more than 52,000 fans at BC Place today as Canada closes out Group B play against Switzerland at the FIFA World Cup. Carney visited Canada's locker room following last week's 6-0 win over Qatar in Vancouver and delivered what goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau described as a heartfelt message about the team's performance and Canadian values. Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković attended Croatia's 1-0 victory over Panama in Toronto last night.

The Latest from the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney and his wife Diana Fox Carney cheer and dance with fans as they sit with FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the second half of a World Cup Group B soccer match, in Vancouver, on Thursday, June 18, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck


9:45 a.m.

Team Canada's World Cup run could deliver a major economic lift for Vancouver. A new BMO Economics analysis estimates that each additional Canada match played in Vancouver could generate about $70 million in local spending, largely through bars, restaurants and watch parties. The bank says the tournament could add between $1.5 billion and $6.5 billion to Canada's GDP, with the impact growing if Canada advances deep into the knockout stage.

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8:45 a.m. 

Canada faces Switzerland in Vancouver this afternoon with first place in Group B on the line, but much of the attention will be on captain Alphonso Davies, who is expected to make his first appearance of the tournament after recovering from a hamstring injury. Davies is not expected to start but could come off the bench as Canada looks to secure top spot in the group. The Canadians and Swiss enter the finale tied on four points, with Canada holding the tiebreaker on goal differential. A win or draw would keep Canada atop Group B and earn a round-of-32 game at BC Place on July 2.

The Latest from the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada South Korean soccer fans cheer during a gathering ahead of the FIFA World Cup match against South Africa in Monterrey's Macroplaza, Mexico, Tuesday, June 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

8:45 a.m.

The World Cup's final round of group-stage play begins Wednesday with Group B matches Canada-Switzerland and Bosnia-Herzegovina-Qatar at 3 p.m. Group C follows at 6 p.m. with Scotland-Brazil and Morocco-Haiti, before Group A wraps up at 9 p.m. with Czechia-Mexico and South Africa-South Korea. Several knockout-round spots remain up for grabs, with Scotland among the teams trying to advance and Bosnia-Herzegovina, Qatar, South Africa and Haiti needing results to stay alive. Mexico has already secured first place in Group A, and veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa could make what is expected to be his final World Cup appearance.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 24, 2026.

Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

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The Latest from the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada

The Latest from the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada

Fans honour Koné ahead of Canada-Switzerland match in Vancouver

Tribute to Koné before Canada-Switzerland match

The Latest from the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada

The Latest from the FIFA World Cup in Canada

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