The Canadian men’s national soccer team has secured an additional fixture in its busy schedule by confirming a match against the 38th-ranked Romania on September 5th in Bucharest. This game is part of the team’s preparations for the upcoming World Cup in 2026, which Canada will co-host with the United States and Mexico.
Head coach Jesse Marsch expressed the strength of the Romanian team, highlighting their top finish in a challenging group at Euro 2024. He emphasized the significance of the match as a crucial challenge in the lead-up to the 2026 tournament.
Following the game against Romania, Canada will face Wales in Swansea just four days later. Despite Canada’s current world ranking of 31st, the team anticipates a tough test from Romania in the unfamiliar territory of Bucharest as the two teams have never met before.
The vibrant soccer culture in Romania, particularly in Bucharest, home to clubs like FCSB, Dinamo, and Rapid, is known for passionate fans and strict security measures during matches. Additionally, alcohol is prohibited in the 55,000-seat National Arena and surrounding areas.
During Canada’s visit, Romania will be in the midst of its World Cup qualifying campaign, with a match against Cyprus shortly after the Canadian game. Canada, as a co-host, has already secured an automatic spot in the World Cup tournament.
For Coach Marsch, exhibitions against top-40 competition like Romania are crucial, especially as he plans to kick off full preparations on June 1, 2026, a year before the World Cup begins. Before that, Canada will participate in various competitions, including the CONCACAF Nations League semifinals and the Gold Cup.
Looking ahead to the match against Wales, Marsch expressed excitement about facing a high-quality opponent whose players predominantly compete in the English Premier League and Championship. Canada has a historical record of 2 wins, 1 loss, and 0 draws against Wales, with the last meeting dating back to May 1986.
Wales, under the leadership of former player Craig Bellamy, has been on a six-game unbeaten streak since early July, showcasing a strong performance leading up to the upcoming fixtures.