How Ronaldo and Portugal could play at BC Place during FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup is coming, and so might Cristiano Ronaldo.
Vancouver is set to host seven matches during the tournament, including five in the group stage:
- June 13: Australia vs. Turkey
- June 18: Canada vs. Qatar
- June 21: New Zealand vs. Egypt
- June 24: Canada vs. Switzerland
- June 26: New Zealand vs. Belgium
With all due respect to No. 9-ranked Belgium, No. 19-ranked Switzerland, and the 30th-ranked host Canadians, Vancouver’s schedule is missing a marquee team.
But we might get one in the knockout round.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 groups are set (FIFA)
Two knockout round matches are scheduled to be played at BC Place, one in the round of 32 and another in the round of 16. Those matchups have obviously not yet been determined, but we can make some educated guesses.
The round of 32 match on July 2 will feature the winner of Group B, which includes Canada, Switzerland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Qatar. The opponent will be a third-place team from either Group E, F, G, I, or J.
The winner of that match will remain in Vancouver for the round of 16 on July 7.
And their opponent? It could very well be Portugal.
The path to the World Cup (FIFA)
That’ll be determined by the winner of the round of 32 match in Kansas City, which pits the winner of Group K against a third-place team from Group D, E, I, J, or L. Portugal is the favourite to win Group K, which also includes Colombia, Uzbekistan, and DR Congo.
There is a chance we could see Canada play Portugal. That would necessitate Canada winning Group B, then winning again during the round of 32.
Wouldn’t that be something?
Portugal is a marquee team not just because they’re the No. 5-ranked country in the world, but also because they have Ronaldo. At 41 years old, Ronaldo is obviously past his prime, but remains a legend of the sport.