Canada vs Republic of Ireland preview: Team news, predictions, where to watch
Preview, team news, head-to-head, probable line-ups, tactical analysis and where to watch Canada v Republic of Ireland in this weekend’s International Friendly match.
As the 2026 World Cup draws ever nearer, co-hosts Canada continue their preparations when they welcome Ireland at Stade Saputo in Montreal on June 6, at 00:30 IST (early hours of Saturday morning) in their final friendly before their opening game on Friday 12 June against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
With this being their last chance to fine tune tactics and get minutes in the legs before the tournament begins, Jesse March will no doubt be hoping to see his side play with a good tempo. For the visitors, who won’t be at the World Cup, it is a chance for Heimir HallgrĂmsson to run the rule over his squad ahead of the Nations League games in September.
Despite being ranked 29 places below the host side, Ireland should provide a good matchup for Canada and a competitive test before the World Cup. Both sides are unbeaten in their last five games and pride will be at stake as they seek to maintain that run.
Team news & injury updates
Canada
While you would expect March to start his strongest side possible, a few players will be absent with injuries as they face a race against time to be fit for the opening game of the tournament. Alphonso Davies of Bayern Munich is suffering with a muscle injury and unlikely to be available for the Ireland game, while Marcelo Flores is out and Promise David is a doubt.
Ireland
Ireland travel with a largely healthy squad after recent victories over Grenada and Qatar. Canada will provide a sterner test, however, and a better indication of where HallgrĂmsson’s group are at ahead of their next set of competitive fixtures.
Head-to-Head (H2H) record
Meetings between Canada and Ireland have been rare, with the nations having faced each other only once previously at senior men’s level.
Last meeting:
18/11/2003: Ireland 3-0 Canada (International Friendly)
Friday’s encounter therefore represents the first meeting between the sides in more than 22 years.
Canada vs Republic of Ireland probable line-ups
Canada predicted XI (4-4-2): Crépeau, Johnston, Cornelius, Bombito, Laryea; Buchanan, Eustáquio, Koné, Millar; Larin, David
Ireland predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Kelleher; O’Shea, Collins, O’Brien; Coleman, Molumby, McGrath, Scales; Ogbene, Moylan; Parrott.
Where to watch Canada vs Ireland
The international friendly between Canada and the Republic of Ireland will take place on Friday, 5 June 2026, at 19:30 local time, while for fans in the UK and Ireland, the game starts at 00:30 in the morning of Saturday, June 6.
In Ireland, the game will be broadcast live on RTÉ2 while in Canada, the match will be available through OneSoccer.
Market insights & probability predictions
According to market analysis, Canada are favourites heading into the match with a 55% probability of victory, compared to 18% for the Republic of Ireland and 27% for the draw. The most likely scoreline is a 1-0 Canada win at 17%, followed by a 2-0 home victory at 12%.
We shouldn’t see a high-scoring encounter with under 2.5 goals being rated at 62% and both teams to score at just 38%. Overall, we can expect a closely contested match, with home advantage likely to edge it for Canada.
