The Canadian Women’s National Team enters 2026 focused on two critical objectives: securing qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil and qualifying for the 2028 LA Summer Olympics. The Canada Women’s Soccer 2026 schedule includes a mix of SheBelieves Cup matches, international friendlies, and Women’s World Cup qualifying games, all set to challenge the team’s depth and readiness.
After a challenging 2025 marked by recent losses to Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Japan, head coach Casey Stoney is emphasizing process over immediate results as the team prepares for a crucial year of preparation and competition.
Canada’s 2026 women’s calendar will be dominated by two main activities: international friendlies for preparation and the 2026 CONCACAF W Championship in November, which serves as the primary pathway to qualifying for both the 2027 Women’s World Cup and the 2028 Olympics.
Canada Women’s Soccer 2026 Schedule and Event
The 2026 SheBelieves Cup is set to return in February 2026, while the CONCACAF W Championship for the 2027 Women’s World Cup will kick off in November.
Here is the full list of the Canada Women’s Soccer 2026 Schedule below –
| Date | Match | Opponent | Venue | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 2026 | Canada Women vs TBD | TBD | TBD | International Friendly |
| February 2026 | Canada Women vs TBD | TBD | TBD | SheBelieves Cup 2026 |
| February 2026 | Canada Women vs TBD | TBD | TBD | SheBelieves Cup 2026 |
| February 2026 | Canada Women vs TBD | TBD | TBD | SheBelieves Cup 2026 |
| March 2026 | Canada Women vs TBD | TBD | TBD | International Friendly |
| May 2026 | Canada Women vs TBD | TBD | TBD | International Friendly |
| June 2026 | Send-Off Match (Confirmed) | TBD | Montreal | International Friendly |
| August-September 2026 | Canada Women vs TBD | TBD | TBD | International Friendly |
| November 2026 (Dates TBD) | Canada Women vs TBD | Top Seed from Group Winners | TBD | CONCACAF W Championship |
| November 2026 (Dates TBD) | Canada Women vs TBD | Top Seed from Group Winners | TBD | CONCACAF W Championship |
| November 2026 (Dates TBD) | Canada Women vs TBD | Semifinal Losers | TBD | CONCACAF W Championship |
| November 2026 (Dates TBD) | Canada Women vs TBD | Semifinal Winners | TBD | CONCACAF Championship |
International Friendlies (February – October 2026)
Canada Soccer will schedule international friendly matches throughout 2026 during FIFA International Match Windows. These matches will provide Casey Stoney with opportunities to evaluate players, test tactical approaches, and build momentum heading into the CONCACAF W Championship.
While specific opponents and dates have not yet been officially announced for most matches, historical patterns suggest friendlies will occur in:
- February-March 2026: Spring international window with preparation matches against quality opposition
- May 2026: Additional friendly matches as the team fine-tunes preparations
- August-September 2026: Late summer/early fall friendlies in preparation for the championship.
- Early November 2026: Final tune-up matches before the CONCACAF W Championship
Stoney has emphasized the importance of these friendly matches, particularly against competition-ready opponents like Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Japan who are competing in regular competitive seasons.
The 2026 CONCACAF W Championship – November 2026
The 2026 CONCACAF W Championship represents the centerpiece of Canada’s 2026 schedule. This eight-team tournament will take place in November 2026 at a venue to be confirmed.
The championship serves a dual purpose, qualifying teams for both the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil and the 2028 LA Summer Olympics.
Tournament Format
Canada and the United States, as the two highest-ranked CONCACAF teams, received automatic bids directly to the CONCACAF W Championship final tournament. They do not need to compete in the preliminary qualifying stage (which involves 29 other CONCACAF nations grouped into six groups playing matches from November 2025 through April 2026).
The eight-team championship will feature:
- The United States and Canada (automatic qualifiers)
- Six group winners from the 2025/26 CONCACAF W Qualifiers
The tournament will probably follow a knockout format, including semifinals, a final, and a third-place match. CONCACAF is expected to announce the exact dates and venues for the championship in early 2026.
Qualification Significance
The 2026 CONCACAF W Championship is critical because its winner (or top finishers) will secure a place in the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. Given Canada’s historical strength in women’s soccer (they’re currently ranked ninth in the world), they are expected to be among the favorites to advance from the championship.
Additionally, this tournament determines Olympic qualification for the 2028 LA Summer Olympics, making success doubly important for Canada’s women’s program.
Casey Stoney’s Approach
Head coach Casey Stoney has taken a measured approach to the transition period. After recent losses highlighted gaps in Canada’s performance against top-ranked opposition, she’s focused on building a process-oriented mindset rather than obsessing over individual results.
“Everybody needs to calm down a little bit in terms of results, because this is a process we’re going through,” Stoney said following a Swiss defeat in October 2025.
She’s emphasized the importance of creating scoring chances, improving possession-based play, and building physical intensity to compete with elite European and North American teams. The friendly matches in 2026 will be essential testing grounds for these tactical adjustments.
Team Dynamics and Player Updates
Canada’s squad is navigating a transition period following the Paris Olympics. Key players like Adriana Leon, Sam Kerr, and Tancredi Tonelli continue to be important figures, but injuries and form will play significant roles in team selection throughout 2026.
The recent losses to Switzerland and the Netherlands have highlighted areas needing improvement, particularly in maintaining possession against pressing opponents and being more clinical in front of goal.
These friendly matches in 2026 will be crucial for addressing these tactical deficiencies before the CONCACAF Championship.
What Fans Should Know
- Primary focus: CONCACAF W Championship in November 2026
- Secondary objective: Building form for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup
- Friendly matches: Will be announced throughout early 2026
- Olympic qualification: Also on the line at the CONCACAF Championship
Ticket Information and Broadcasting
Details regarding ticket availability and broadcasting information for Canada’s 2026 matches will be released by Canada Soccer as dates and opponents are confirmed.
The federation typically announces match details 4-6 weeks in advance, allowing fans time to plan their attendance and make ticket purchases.
For international friendlies, ticket information will likely be available through Canada Soccer’s official website and partner platforms.
The CONCACAF W Championship in November will introduce its own ticketing system once CONCACAF announces the host city and venues.
Fans can stay updated by monitoring:
- Canada Soccer’s official website (canadasoccer.com)
- CONCACAF’s official channels for championship details
- Major Canadian sports broadcasters for fixture announcements
Looking Ahead to 2027
While 2026 is a year of preparation and qualifying, the ultimate goal remains securing Canada’s spot in the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. Success at the CONCACAF W Championship in November 2026 will be essential to that objective.
With strong organizational depth and Casey Stoney’s tactical approach, Canada has the potential to compete for the CONCACAF Championship title and earn their place among the world’s elite for the 2027 World Cup.