Canada men to play Ukraine and Ivory Coast at Canadian Shield tournament in Toronto
Written by The Canadian Press on March 19, 2025
TORONTO — Canada will play Ukraine and the Ivory Coast in June at Toronto’s BMO Field in a new four-team men’s soccer tournament called the Canadian Shield.
New Zealand is the other team taking part in the event, which consists of doubleheaders June 7 and June 10.
Canada will open the tournament June 7 against Ukraine, with New Zealand taking on the Ivory Coast in the nightcap. On June 10, it’s New Zealand versus Ukraine followed by Canada versus the Ivory Coast.
The competition serves as an appetizer ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which Canada is co-hosting, while offering top opposition for the Canadian men.
Ukraine is currently ranked 25th in the world while Ivory Coast is No. 46 and New Zealand No. 89.
Canada, ranked 31st, has played Ukraine just once, a 2-2 draw in Kyiv in an October 2010 friendly. It has never faced Ivory Coast.
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 19, 2025
Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press