Getting Ready for World Cup
Joel Waterman (5) of Canada and Orri Stein Oskarsson (9) of Iceland. Photo: Neena Channan.
Neena Channan is a journalist, photographer and correspondent for Jornal de Toronto at the International Friendly matches played at BMO Field Toronto
Canada played some of its last international friendly matches on March 28 and 31 ahead of their first World Cup game on Friday June 12 against Bosnia Herzegovina.
On a cold, breezy Saturday, 2 matches were played: Canada vs Iceland and Haiti vs Tunisia followed by a rain-soaked Tuesday, they swapped and Haiti played Iceland and Canada vs Tunisia for some of the final international friendlies before the start of World Cup to be played June 11 to July 19, 2026.
Canada vs Iceland
The game ended in a 2-2 draw as Canada (ranked #30) played against Iceland (ranked #75). In the first half, Canada played an error prone game and went into the halftime break behind 0-2. In the second half Canada regained some of its composure and Jonathan David (#7) converted two penalties. A red card to Tajon Buchanan (#17) in the 81st minute cause Canada to lose some of its momentum it had been building after a triple substitution ending the game in a draw. Iceland’s goals were both scored by Orri Oskarsson.
Haiti vs Tunisia
The same evening, Tunisia (ranked #44) went up against Haiti (ranked #83). Tunisia took the 1-0 win. The crowd was electric! The chants and singing and dancing especially by the Haitian supporters were worthy of a World Cup game. Although Tunisia took an early lead, the Haitians were intense and controlled possession for slightly more than half the match. Tunisian striker Sebastian Tounekti scored in the 7th minute assisted by Ismael Gharbi.
Haiti vs Iceland
A few days later, on the Tuesday, the teams swapped and Haiti played Iceland. The match ended in a 1-1 draw. The start of the match was delayed due to severe thunderstorms and lightning resulting in over an hour delay. Once play started, both teams appeared cautious and they ended the first half with a 0-0 draw. In the second half, Iceland’s Gylfi Sigurosson assisted by Logi Tomasson scored. In the 88th minute Haiti’s Wilson Isidor (making his first start and scoring his first international goal), assisted by Frantzdy Pierrot equalized. The Haitian team played a solid game and have shown improvements setting themselves up for their first World Cup game against Scotland on June 13 in Boston.
Canada vs Tunisia
After a 90-minute postponement due to weather, a raucous crowd kept the stadium rocking. I couldn’t tell who was louder, the Canadian supporters or the Tunisian supporters… or whether everyone was cheering for both teams! Unfortunately, Ralph Priso had an early exit due to a hamstring injury in the 25th minute. At one point Tunisia made a run for a counterattack but Canada was saved by Liam Millar who denied Tunisia the opportunity for a goal. Millar likely boosted his chances of joining the World Cup squad with his move. Despite both teams giving it their all, the game was held to a scoreless draw. Next up at World Cup will be Canada vs Bosnia Hezegovina on June 12 for Canada’s only appearance in Toronto for the tournament and Tunisia vs Sweden on June 14 in Monterrey, Mexico.
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