Happy CPL Opening Day Eve to those who celebrate!

The eighth Canadian Premier League season is just around the corner. After the early opener between Forge FC and Atlético Ottawa, Vancouver FC hosts the HFX Wanderers in a match where the visitors begin the Sartini era and look to start on the right foot, while the home side aims to secure its first win of the year after a couple of tough outings in the Concacaf Champions Cup.

Here’s everything you need to know heading into tomorrow’s clash in Willoughby.

How Vancouver FC come into the match

It hasn't started well for Vancouver so far in 2026 — though expectedly — with back-to-back losses against Cruz Azul in Champions Cup action.

After a 3-0 loss at home, La Máquina dismantled Martin Nash's side by a 5-0 score to make it 8-0 on aggregate.

They have made some good signings, however, including ex-Premier League striker Lys Mousset, as the Eagles aim for their first-ever playoff matches in 2026.

How the Halifax Wanderers come into the match

After finishing fourth last year, the Wanderers were knocked out of the playoffs by York United (now Inter Toronto) after a dramatic penalty shootout following a 2-2 draw in regular time.

Some major moves involved Halifax in the off-season, as Vanni Sartini was named the club's new head coach and general manager. At the same time, striker Tiago Coimbra completed a move to Swedish side IFK Göteborg for a fee just north of $500,000 CAD.

Replacements have been signed, as the new look Wanderers aim for a second consecutive season with playoff football.

Head-to-head

Since Vancouver FC’s inaugural season in 2023, these two sides have met 12 times, with five wins each and two draws.

Vancouver’s biggest win came in the most recent meeting, a 3-1 victory over the Wanderers. A Hugo Mbongue brace and a late Pathé Ndiaye goal secured the three points, while a late consolation from Thomas Meilleur-Giguère made the scoreline more respectable.

Halifax’s largest win came in 2024 at Vancouver’s home ground, a 4-0 victory powered by braces from Ryan Telfer and Dan Nimick. Andre Rampersad was sent off in that match, but it made little difference as Halifax added two more goals after the dismissal.

Projected XIs

Vancouver FC (4-2-3-1): Callum Irving (c); Morey Doner, Matteo Campagna, Isak Ssewankambo, Tom Field; Marcello Polisi, Emrick Fotsing; Terran Campbell, Nicolás Mezquida, Thierno Bah; Mohamed Amissi

Halifax Wanderers (3-4-2-1): Marco Carducci; Thomas Meilleur-Giguère, Andre Rampersad (c), Jefferson Alphonse; Marcus Godinho, Lorenzo Callegari, Isaiah Johnston, Kareem Sow; Yohan Baï, Ryan Telfer; Cyprian Kachwele