Canada to Host Australia in Montreal Soccer Showdown This October

The Canadian men’s national soccer team is set to return to Montreal for the first time in seven years, hosting Australia in a high-profile international friendly on October 10 at Stade Saputo.

The match, announced Thursday by Canada Soccer, will serve as key preparation ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by Canada, the U.S., and Mexico.

Currently ranked 30th in the FIFA world rankings, Canada had a strong showing at last summer’s Copa America, finishing fourth. However, they recently exited the CONCACAF Gold Cup following a quarterfinal defeat to Guatemala.

Australia, ranked 26th, secured their spot in the 2026 World Cup with a 2-1 victory over Saudi Arabia. Historically, Canada holds a 3-1-5 record against the Socceroos.

Montreal fans will also get to see the national team in action again after a long hiatus — their last match in the city was in June 2017, when they beat Curaçao 2-1, marking Alphonso Davies’ international debut.

“We’re thrilled to be back in Montreal,” said head coach Jesse Marsch. “Reconnecting with fans across Canada, especially in Quebec, is a big part of building momentum for our home World Cup.”

Canada will also face No. 14 Colombia on October 14 in Harrison, New Jersey. Leading up to that, they will travel to Europe to take on Romania (Sept. 5) and Wales (Sept. 9).

As excitement builds for 2026, Montreal will play a key role as a host city and the location for the team’s final preparations before the tournament. Canada will host 13 World Cup matches — seven in Vancouver and six in Toronto.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19, with 48 teams competing across 16 cities in North America. The official draw is expected in January.