Canada’s draw for next summer’s World Cup started well but finished with a twist of the tail.

The Canadian men, ranked 27th in the world, drew No. 17 Switzerland, the fifth-ranked team in Pot 2 and then No. 51 Qatar, the 10th-ranked side in Pot 3.

But Pot 4 threw up a yet-to-be determined European team that could be Italy.

The 12th-ranked Italians are taking part in a European playoff in March along with No. 32 Wales, No. 69 Northern Ireland and No. 71 Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Italy-Northern Ireland winner will face the Wales-Bosnia victor to see who plays Canada in its June 12 opener at Toronto’s BMO Field.

The Canadians will then head west to Vancouver, where they will face Qatar on June 18 and then Switzerland on June 24. Both Vancouver games are at B.C. Place Stadium.

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