The women’s FIFA Series 2026™ offers Canada a welcome opportunity to travel to Brazil ahead of the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup™ and experience the conditions of playing in the host country.
The three-game series in Cuiaba against hosts Brazil, Korea Republic and Zambia will also herald the long-awaited return of veteran defender Kadeisha Buchanan, who is back for Canada for the first time since suffering a devastating ACL injury in October 2024. Notably, the tournament will mark her first time playing for Casey Stoney, who took over the Canada coaching role in January 2025.
Having competed in three Women’s World Cups, the 30-year-old Chelsea defender has firmly her sights set on a fourth global finals as she prepares for the CONCACAF W Championship in November, which serves as the qualifiers for both the 2027 Women’s World Cup and 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Prior to her international comeback, Buchanan, who has made over 150 appearances for Canada, spoke to FIFA about the benefits of taking part in the FIFA Series and her thoughts on the men’s World Cup coming to her home country.
Kadeisha Buchanan: It means a lot. I’m really excited to be back, and very happy to be back just playing in general and being on the pitch getting minutes in. I’m very happy to be in Brazil. As the World Cup will be in Brazil, it’s like being so close to touch it.
It was a rollercoaster – a lot of ups and a lot of downs. Physically, mentally…. good and bad moments. But for the most part it was an interesting experience. It was one of the biggest things I had to overcome in my career and I felt like I did it positively thanks to the people surrounding me who helped me and guided me, making sure that I was OK through the process. It was tough but I’m happy that I am here today.
I feel good. I feel like each time I step on the field I am getting a bit better and better, and sharper with how I play. It feels like I am getting minutes at my club and every step is getting me ready for the World Cup and this camp as well.
These fixtures are really important, they are three different opponents. Like in a World Cup, there are players from Europe, Africa and South America so it’s a good test for us to face teams from different continents and different styles of play in each game. There will be some things to learn from and we will bank it for when we need it at the World Cup.
Each time it was a new experience. It’s something different and unique and hopefully going into the next World Cup we will obviously do better than we have previously done.
I would be happy with that. It’s fun to be at a World Cup. You just eat, live, breathe football and get to travel to different parts of the country which is exciting. The fans, the crowds and the face painting… it’s also unique as well.
I am excited to go to my first men’s World Cup match. It’s a great experience that it is in our back yard and we get to see a game or two and be part of that experience as well. And it’s really good for Canada that it’s at home.
