Canadian Men’s National Team Scheduled to Face Second-Ranked France in June Fixture

Canada Soccer and the France Football Federation have announced an exciting development: Canada’s Men’s National Team is slated to engage in an international friendly against France during the upcoming June window.

Scheduled for Sunday, June 9th, the match will unfold at The Matmut Atlantique stadium in Bordeaux, France. Mathieu Chamberland, Chief Operating Officer at Canada Soccer, expressed his enthusiasm for this prestigious opportunity, emphasizing the significance of facing a top-ranked team like Les Bleus. He underscored the organizational aspirations aligned with major events such as the Copa América 2024 and the FIFA World Cup 2026, emphasizing the growth and development of Canadian soccer on the global stage.

This encounter will mark Canada’s second-ever meeting with France, following their initial clash during the opening group stage of the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, where Canada lost 1-0. Notably, this match served as Canada’s Men’s National Team debut at a Men’s FIFA World Cup, with Bruce Wilson and Michel Platini leading their respective squads as captains.

The fixture against France adds to an already packed schedule for Canada’s Men’s National Team, which includes a friendly against The Netherlands on June 6th. These matches are vital for the team’s preparation for the upcoming 2024 Copa América, particularly following their recent qualification secured with a 2-0 victory over Trinidad & Tobago in March.

Excitement mounts as Canada Soccer’s Men’s National Team gears up to face three FIFA-ranked top 10 teams in quick succession: Argentina (1), France (2), and Netherlands (7). Moreover, this stretch signifies the team’s ninth encounter with a FIFA-ranked top 20 opponent in just over 18 months, including Belgium (3), Croatia (10), USA (11), Morocco (13), Uruguay (15), and Japan (18).

Looking ahead, the 2024 Copa América promises to be a thrilling affair, marking the tournament’s 48th edition under the oversight of CONMEBOL. Scheduled from June 20th to July 14th, 2024, the event will take place in the United States in collaboration with CONCACAF. The tournament’s champion will earn the opportunity to compete in the 2025 CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions against the victor of UEFA Euro 2024, adding another layer of anticipation to an already electrifying soccer calendar.