Canada's men to host Canadian Shield soccer tournament

Canada's men's soccer team will compete in the new Canadian Shield tournament this June in Toronto. They will face Ukraine and Ivory Coast at BMO Field. New Zealand is the fourth team participating. The tournament includes doubleheader matches on June 7 and June 10. Canada's first match will be against Ukraine on June 7. That same evening, New Zealand will play Ivory Coast. On June 10, New Zealand will take on Ukraine, followed by Canada against Ivory Coast. Fans can buy tickets that give access to both games each day. The tournament aims to give the Canadian team valuable experience before the 2026 World Cup, which Canada is co-hosting. Ukraine is currently ranked 25th in the world, Ivory Coast is 46th, and New Zealand is 89th. Canada is ranked 31st and has only played Ukraine once before, with a 2-2 draw in 2010. Andriy Shevchenko, president of the Ukrainian Association of Football, expressed excitement about the event. He noted the strong support the Ukrainian community in Canada gives to the national team. Ivory Coast coach Emerse Fae mentioned that this tournament allows his team to experience different playing styles. The Canadian Shield is set to be an annual event, and more teams may join in future tournaments. Toronto will host six matches during the 2026 World Cup, with Vancouver hosting the other games. MLSE, which manages BMO Field, aims to provide more opportunities for the Canadian soccer teams to play against top nations. Canada's preparation for upcoming competitions includes a semifinal match against Mexico and participation in the CONCACAF Gold Cup in June. The Canadian Shield will be an important part of the team's competitive calendar as they build up to the World Cup.