2026 World Cup Qualifiers come to a close for Canadian sides
Switzerland scored two from the penalty corner spot and hunkered down to protect the house during the fourth quarter and came out with a class 2-1 victory over Team Canada.
The first half largely favoured Canada. Anna Mollenhauer hit the post on a PC effort, and Canada had multiple near misses. They would come to rue those close calls as Switzerland struck first in the 25th minute as Nele Pohler scored on a PC deflection set play. Canada responded a few minutes later with a goal of their own.
Thora Rae smashed a long ball up to Nicole Poulakis who received it beautifully, made a dashing run into the circle and fed a perfect pass onto the stick of Kenzie Girgis who one-timed the ball into the back of the net for the tying goal and her first senior international goal. It was a flash of what Canada can do when they align their runners. The Tie was short lived however, as Switzerland scored another penalty corner set piece only three minutes later.
From then on, it was a desperate surge for Canada, trying to get that next equalizing goal. Canada defended well, moved the ball around well but couldn’t find that avenue into the circle. As the seconds ticked away, Canada continued to pressure but Switzerland didn’t break. The final hooter went and Switzerland celebrated their 7th place victory. It was a deflating finish for a Canadian side that showed a lot of promise at times in all matches, just couldn’t string 60-minutes together. The women’s national team has a carding camp in April and then it’s right back to the lab, preparing for their next international outing.
Congratulations to Thora Rae for playing in her 50th international match. The forward from Vancouver suited up for her 50th cap today to close out the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers against Switzerland. She made her debut in New Zealand in 2016. Congrats Thora!
Team Canada finishes 8th place at the 2026 WCQ in Santiago. Photos/Yan Huckendubler.
A bright future ahead
Canada came into the tournament as the lowest capped team at the tournament with an average of just under 24 caps per player. Although getting through to the semifinals and a shot at qualification would have been amazing, there was the added goal of earning valuable high-stakes international experience. Canada has a world class defender in Anna Mollenhauer and a fun and exciting emerging core of Dani Husar, Kenzie Girgis, Katie Gibb, Brooke McCusker, and their attacking unit of Mikayla Stelling, Nicole Poulakis, Chloe Walton and Nora Goddard-Despot.
The Canadian Women’s National Team will travel home, have a few weeks to recover and then will immediately re-connect for a carding and training camp in Vancouver. From there, the 2026 training cohort will be set and the team will look forward to their next international competition to build off this one. With that, Canada’s run at the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers in Santiago comes to an end. We are so proud of these incredible players, coaches and staff. Lots to look forward to with this young and exciting group.
