Canada Soccer and Football Australia announced Thursday that the two male teams will compete in an international friendly match on October 10 at Stade Saputo.
It will be a first game of the national male team in Montreal since June 2017, when Canada had defeated Curaçao 2-1 in a match marking the international beginnings of Captain Alphonso Davies.
Australia, 26e In the World FIFA ranking, recently qualified for the 2026 World Cup thanks to a 2-1 victory against Saudi Arabia in June.
The Australians, who participated in the last six editions of the World Cup, represent a whole test for Canada, while the team continues its preparation for next summer.
“We are excited to be able to play another high-level game at home, and this first match in Montreal since 2017 is a great opportunity to reconnect with the community,” said Canada head coach, Jesse Marsch, by press release.
“Connecting the people’s team with supporters from one end to the other in the country is one of our priorities while we are preparing for our Home World Cup in 2026. Quebec has always demonstrated an incredible passion for our team, and we can’t wait to feel this energy in October. »»
Canada and Australia have shared a historic rivalry, their first confrontation dating back to 1924. Since then, the two nations have come across nine times in the context of friendly matches and qualifying for the World Cup, with a 3-5-1 file for Canada.
Supporters will notably remember the 2-1 victory of Canada at Edmonton during the 1994 World Cup qualifications, although the Australians won the return match 2-1 (4-1 on penalties) at Sydney Football Stadium.
With this match against Australia, Canada Soccer completes its schedule of matches for the international windows in September and October.
The organization recently announced that the male national team will face Colombia (14e in the FIFA ranking) on October 14.
These matches follow a month of September, in which Canada will face Romania (45e) September 5 and Wales (29e) On September 9, both in European soil.
