The 2026 SheBelieves Cup kicks off with a high-stakes North vs South American showdown as Canada vs Colombia at GEODIS Park in Nashville. This opening match of the 11th annual invitational tournament sets the stage for a competitive round-robin featuring the USA and Argentina.
For Canada, currently ranked 10th in the world, this is a prime opportunity to chase their first-ever SheBelieves title after finishing as runners-up in 2024.
Meanwhile, Colombia (ranked 20th) returns for their second consecutive appearance, eager to build on their impressive third-place finish last year.
Canada vs Colombia – Match Preview, Date, Time, Predictions, and More
- Date: Sunday, March 1, 2026
- Kick-off Time: 1:00 PM CT / 2:00 PM ET.
- Venue: GEODIS Park, Nashville, Tennessee.
- Competition: 2026 SheBelieves Cup (Matchday 1).
Team News & Tactical Outlook
Canada: A Defensive Reconstruction
Canada arrives in Nashville with a roster that blends veteran leadership with emerging domestic talent from the Northern Super League (NSL). However, the headlines are dominated by significant absences in the backline.
- Injuries: Defensive stalwarts Shelina Zadorsky and Kadeisha Buchanan are both ruled out due to injury, leaving a void of experience at center-back.
- The “Rose-Gilles” Partnership: With Buchanan out, Jade Rose (Manchester City WFC) is expected to partner with the veteran Vanessa Gilles. Rose brings a modern, ball-carrying style that could help Canada build play from the back.
- Midfield Engine: The team will rely heavily on captain Jessie Fleming and Julia Grosso to control the tempo against a technically gifted Colombian side.
Colombia: The Rise of Las Cafeteras
Colombia is no longer an underdog on the world stage. Their performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where they narrowly lost 1-0 to Canada in the group stage, proved they can compete with the top 10.
- Star Power: Midfield maestro Leicy Santos (Washington Spirit) remains the heart of the team, coming off a strong run in the CONMEBOL Women’s Nations League.
- Attacking Threat: While the full roster details are still emerging, expect Colombia to utilize their technical proficiency and physical intensity to disrupt Canada’s rhythm. They are a team that thrives on transition and set pieces.
Canada vs Colombia Predicted Starting XIs
Canada (4-3-3):
Sheridan; Carle, Rose, Gilles, Collins; Grosso, Awujo, Fleming; Huitema, Viens, Lacasse.
Colombia (4-2-3-1):
Pérez; C. Arias, Daniela Arias, Carabalí, Caracas; Bedoya, Montoya; Santos, Usme, Caicedo; Ramírez.
Historical Context & Prediction
Historically, this has been a tightly contested matchup. Their most recent encounter in the 2024 Olympics ended in a 1-0 victory for Canada, highlighting the narrow margins between these two nations.
In a previous friendly in October 2025, they played out a disciplined 0-0 draw, emphasizing both teams’ defensive growth.
- Final Score Prediction: Canada 1–1 Colombia.
- Key Factor: With all ties in this year’s tournament going directly to a penalty shootout to determine bonus points, the goalkeeping heroics of Kailen Sheridan or Catalina Pérez could be the deciding factor.
Where to Watch Canada vs Colombia in USA & Canada
| Region | TV Channel | Streaming Platform |
| USA (English) | truTV | HBO Max |
| USA (Spanish) | Universo | Peacock |
| Canada | OneSoccer | fuboTV Canada |
