Canada's Women's National Team continue their international window with a matchup against Zambia, as they look to build rhythm and consistency early in 2026.
The fixture comes at an important moment for Canada under Casey Stoney, with the program still balancing evaluation and performance.
How Canada comes into the match
Les Rouges enter this game off a mixed but telling run of results that reflects where the team currently stands.
There have been clear positives. At the SheBelieves Cup, Canada opened with a 4-1 win over Colombia, showing attacking sharpness and control. They followed that with a narrow 1-0 loss to the United States, a match that highlighted how fine the margins are against top opposition.
They closed the tournament with a draw against Argentina, ultimately winning on penalties, with strong goalkeeping playing a decisive role.
That second-place finish suggested progress, but it also reinforced that the team is still searching for consistency.
Canada finished 2025 in difficult form, ending the year with five consecutive defeats without scoring, conceding nine goals across that stretch. It was a sharp contrast to their earlier momentum under Stoney, where they had won six and drawn one of their first eight matches.
This current window sits somewhere between those two versions of Canada. A team that has shown what it can be, but is still figuring out how to sustain it.
This April window also introduces a different competitive edge. The team is part of the FIFA Series, where matches go straight to penalties if level, adding pressure to every performance and reinforcing the importance of in-game execution.
Across the window, they will face three very different opponents in Zambia, South Korea, and Brazil, each presenting distinct tactical challenges.
How Zambia comes into the match
The African side arrives with clarity in its identity. Ranked 4th in Africa and 64th in the world, the Copper Queens have steadily built their reputation through recent milestones, including a third-place finish at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations in 2022 and their debut at the FIFA Women's World Cup.
This will also mark the first meeting between the two nations, adding an extra layer of unpredictability.
They are a team that plays with intent. Quick in transition, confident in open space, and capable of turning defensive moments into attacking opportunities almost instantly.
For Canada, that presents a very specific kind of challenge. Not one of sustained pressure, but of managing moments.
Doubts
The squad continues to reflect the broader shift within the program.
This window has already been disrupted slightly by injuries. Both Ashley Lawrence and Brooklyn Courtnall were forced to withdraw, thinning Canada's defensive depth and requiring adjustments at the back.
In response, the coaching staff has turned to experience. Marie Levasseur has been called into the squad, bringing versatility and composure to the back line. A natural left-back, Levasseur offers both defensive stability and the ability to push forward when needed.
Her inclusion, alongside Shelina Zadorsky, reflects a need for balance. With key absences, Canada is not just rotating; they are recalibrating.
With former Vancouver Rise forward Holly Ward unavailable, three players from the Northern Super League setup have also been called in:
Kaylee Hunter recently made her senior debut during the SheBelieves Cup and represents the next wave of forward talent pushing into the squad. Melissa Dagenais, hoping to earn her first start, provides goalkeeping depth, stepping into a group that has already proven decisive in tight matches this year. DB Pridham joins as a forward option, offering movement and a different profile in the attacking line.
Taken together, this squad feels like a blend of necessity and opportunity. Injuries have forced changes, but they have also opened the door for players like Levasseur to step into a more prominent role during this window.
What to expect
This match will likely be defined by control versus transition.
Canada will aim to manage possession, stay compact, and limit space between the lines. Zambia will look to disrupt that rhythm, pushing the game into faster, less predictable phases.
Les Rouges have already shown this year that they can compete with strong opposition. The question now is whether they can string those performances together.
Looking ahead
Canada will continue their schedule in this tournament with matches against Korea Republic and Brazil, offering further tests against contrasting styles.
With only one team advancing in this format, every performance carries added weight, and consistency across all three matches will be crucial.
This is about more than form. It is about direction, and whether the signs of progress seen earlier this year can begin to settle into something more consistent.
Projected XI
Canada (4-3-3): Kailen Sheridan; Kadeisha Buchanan, Vanessa Gilles, Janine Sonis, Jayde Riviere; Marie-Yasmine Alidou, Jessie Fleming, Julia Grosso; Olivia Smith, DB Pridham, Cloé Lacasse.
Game information and how to watch
📆 Saturday, April 10, 2026
⏰ 3:00 pm ET / 12:00 pm PT
📺 OneSoccer, TSN, FuboTV, Telus Optik TV Ch. 980
👤 TBA
🏟 Arena Pantanal, Cuiabá, Brazil
