Davies, Canada's World Cup Journey
Davies Expected to Play in Canada's First West Coast World Cup Match; Tunisia Fires Coach
Canada's star left back Alphonso Davies returned to the training pitch in Vancouver on June 15, easing fears ahead of the country's must-watch match against Qatar on June 18 at BC Place. The Province reported that MRI results came back "very positive," and Davies rejoined the squad for individual drills at the University of British Columbia. The game will be the first men's World Cup fixture ever played on Canadian soil west of Toronto.
The same day brought shock news from the tournament's Group F. Tunisia fired head coach Sabri Lamouchi just one game into the 2026 World Cup, making him the first manager dismissed in this tournament's history. Sweden had hammered his side 5-1 in Monterrey on June 14, with midfielder Yasin Ayari scoring twice. Cape Verde added to the day's drama by holding European champions Spain to a 0-0 draw in Atlanta, one of the biggest upsets of the tournament so far.
Davies Cleared After Injury Scare in Vancouver
Davies had been training away from the rest of the Canadian squad, raising concern about his fitness. But by Monday afternoon, Vancouver Sun confirmed he was back on the pitch, taking part in individual drills. Head coach Jesse Marsch has publicly called for a "sea of red" from Vancouver fans and declared that "Canada is out for a first-ever tournament win."
Canada enters the Qatar match ranked No. 30 in the FIFA world rankings. Qatar sits at No. 55. BC Place holds 54,500 fans, and the stadium is expected to sell out. Canada drew 1-1 with Bosnia and Herzegovina in its tournament opener on June 12 in Toronto, with Cyle Larin scoring in the 78th minute to earn the country's first-ever World Cup point.
Tunisia Fires Lamouchi After Record Collapse
Sabri Lamouchi is now the fastest-dismissed coach in World Cup history. Tunisia's federation fired him after just one game following the 5-1 thrashing by Sweden. Reports from journalist Romain Molina suggested Lamouchi had already lost the locker room before the tournament started. He had dropped the team captain and allowed his adult son into restricted training sessions.
Lamouchi said before his firing that "the World Cup is a major competition that does not forgive any team making serious mistakes." Interim coach Mondher Kebaier has now been appointed to lead Tunisia for the rest of Group F. Tunisia's situation echoes 1998, when the country fired coach Henryk Kasperczak after two losses — but this time the axe fell even faster.
Cape Verde's 40-Year-Old Keeper Stuns Spain in Atlanta
Cape Verde entered their World Cup debut ranked 64th in the world. Spain came in as European champions. Yet on June 15, Cape Verde's veteran goalkeeper Vozinha — aged 40 — made four critical saves to hold Spain scoreless in Atlanta. It ended 0-0, and Vozinha earned the highest player rating of the match according to Calgary Herald.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente had warned before the match that Cape Verde could be a "surprise package." He was right. Analysts noted Spain's high-possession style failed to crack Cape Verde's deep six-defender defensive block. The draw is already being called one of the most stunning results in the 2026 tournament, which expanded to 48 teams this year.
Vancouver's Big Moment: History, Money, and High Prices
The June 18 Canada-Qatar match carries historic weight. Vancouver hosted the 2015 Women's World Cup Final, but this will be the first men's World Cup game ever played in British Columbia. BC Place has expanded to 54,500 seats for the event. Hosting costs for Vancouver alone are estimated between $685 million and $729 million CAD, with the province expecting to recover $260 million through a special hotel tax, according to CBC News.
Not everyone is celebrating. Sports economist Moshe Lander has called the tournament an "economic sinkhole," arguing taxpayers are unlikely to recoup the $1 billion investment. Local surveys show Vancouver residents are increasingly frustrated with traffic closures and security costs. Still, Canadian fans are expected to pack BC Place and cheer Davies in a city that watched Canada win Olympic hockey gold in 2010.
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