Team Canada returns to Vancouver this weekend for the first time since 2015 – when they defeated Japan 3-2 – for a Davis Cup tie against Brazil. The tie will be held at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Arena on February 6 and 7 (Friday and Saturday). The competition will consist of a best-of-five-match format, with each match played as best-of-three sets. The winner will move onto Round Two later this September against either France or Slovakia.

After defeating Israel in a closed-door venue last November in the World Group Playoff, Canada’s lineup includes four of the five returning players to represent the Red and White: Gabriel Diallo, Liam Draxl, Alexis Galarneau, and Cleeve Harper. Joining them – and getting his first call-up -- is 19-year-old Nicolas Arsenault.

Canada enters the tie as heavy favourites against the 18th ranked Brazilian squad. Despite the absence of top Canadians Denis Shapovalov and Felix Auger-Aliassime, Team Canada Captain Frank Dancevic emphasized the promise of his roster, saying “They are the next generation of young Canadians. This is a new era,” when referring to his talented young lineup this weekend.

Frank Dancevic is as well-suited as they come to lead this group and prepare for what should be an exciting weekend of Tennis. Dancevic experienced some of his own career defining Davis Cup as a player - most notably in 2012 when Canada defeated Spain en route to a historic semifinal run. Dancevic will also be supported by Team Canada staff, including Vasek Pospisil, who was also present during Canada’s 4-0 World Group Playoff victory last November after playing the final match of his professional career in Toronto the previous July.

MEET THE CANDIANS

Gabriel Diallo

Currently ranked No. 39 on the ATP rankings, Gabriel Diallo will look to lead Canada to victory with a career Davis Cup record of 6-6. Diallo will be making his third straight appearance for Team Canada. Despite a slow start to his 2026 season, the 24-year-old is expected to thrive off the home crowd, and the indoor hardcourt environment to ultimately lead the charge against the underdog Brazilian team.

Liam Draxl

Liam Draxl will be making his fourth Davis Cup appearance for Canada, Entering the tie with a perfect 3-0 record. He brings in strong momentum with him as well to Vancouver after qualifying for his first Grand Slam main draw at the Australian Open and reaching two Challenger Tour quarterfinals already this season. The Newmarket, ON native looks to maintain his unbeaten record while feeding off the home support.

Alexis Galarneau

Alexis Galarneau has become a Davis Cup mainstay for Canada and will be making his 11th appearance, holding a 5-7 record. He has not missed a tie since 2022. While looking to kick-start his 2026 season, the 26-year-old owns several notable Davis Cup victories in the past – including singles wins over Lorenzo Sonego and Alejandro Tabilo of Chile during the 2023 Finals Group Stage in Bologna, Italy. Galarneau also earned his first ever ATP main-draw singles win last July at the National Bank Open in Toronto, defeating Arthur Rinderknech of France.

Credit: Michele Nucci/LaPresse via The Associated Press

Cleeve Harper

Canada’s No .1-ranked doubles player, 25-year-old Cleeve Harper, will make his third Davis Cup appearance for Canada this weekend in British Columbia. Harper owns seven career Challenger-level doubles titles, including one captured just last week at the Oeiras 75K Challengers in Portugal. He will be a key contributor and energy source heading into the lone doubles match on Saturday.

Nicolas Arsenault

The aforementioned newest member of Team Canada and Nineteen-year-old Nicolas Arsenault will make his debut for Canada. While new to the senior team, he is familiar with the event after representing Canada at the junior level in 2023, helping the team secure a seventh-place finish. Arsenault also made his ATP main-draw debut last July at the National Bank Open, defeating Valentine Royer in straight sets in the Round of 128. While Arsenault might not see playing time on the court, he will have no issues being present to cheer on his fellow compatriots.

MEET TEAM BRAZIL

Brazil arrives in Vancouver with a young, up-and-coming roster. The team will be without World No. 33 Joao Fonseca and World No. 197 Thiago Seyboth Wild (career high No. 58). While the singles lineup lacks experience and ranking depth, doubles stands at the forefront led by Rafael Motos and Orlando Luz. However, with only one doubles match and up to four singles matches potentially on the schedule, Canada holds a clear advantage.

Lineups are expected to be announced a day before play begins on Friday afternoon. Gabriel Diallo and Liam Draxl are projected to lead Canada’s singles efforts, while Brazil could turn to Joao Lucas Reis da Silva, Gustavo Heide or Matheus Pucinelli De Almeida. It is a youthful Brazilian squad with limited Davis Cup experience, with Reis da Silva currently at their highest-ranked singles player at World No. 207.

Brazil enters as the underdogs for sure, while Team Canada – with the average age of just 23 – will aim to impress the Vancouver crowd and secure a place in the second round of the 2026 Davis Cup Qualifiers.

HOW AND WHERE TO WATCH

The tie will be broadcasted on TVA Sports and livestreamed on the CBC Sports YouTube channel. Action begins on Friday at 7 p.m. ET* (4 p.m. PT) with two singles matches. Play resumes on Saturday at 4 p.m. ET (1 p.m. PT) leading off with doubles followed by the two remaining singles matches if necessary.

Canada hosts Brazil in Vancouver Davis Cup Qualifiers