# 2026 Pacific Nations Cup rugby preparations > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/2026-pacific-nations-cup-rugby-preparations > Updated: 2026-09-11T01:29:51.000Z. Sources: 21. Developments: 3. Rugby Canada announced a 32-man roster for the 2026 Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup, a tournament featuring Canada, Japan, Fiji, and the United States. The competition schedule includes a warm-up match against Japan in Niigata, followed by a semi-final against Fiji in Osaka, and concluding with final matches in Tokyo. Ahead of the tournament, Canada and Japan were scheduled to play a preparation match in Niigata. Canada entered the fixture missing several key players, including Tyler Ardron, Evan Olmstead, and Andrew Quattrin, while seeking its first victory against Japan since May 2005. Japan intended to use the match as a tune-up for their upcoming game against the USA, fielding a mostly first-choice lineup that included Fijian winger Inoke Burua, who was set to make his full test debut. In the resulting Lipovitan D Challenge Cup match at Denka Big Swan Stadium, Japan secured a dominant 57-12 victory over Canada. The match, which coincided with the 100th anniversary of the Japan Rugby Football Union, marked the first time Niigata has hosted an international rugby test in 18 years. Japan scored nine tries, including two from Mamoru Harada, while Inoke Burua made his international debut. Canada, hampered by a depleted roster and a late injury to flyhalf Cooper Coats, managed only two tries through Takoda McMullin and Ben LeSage. While the win broke a four-match losing streak for Japan, captain Naoto Saito noted that the team had not yet reached their desired standards, citing errors in game management. The 2026 Pacific Nations Cup is set to begin this Saturday with a knockout format. The tournament opens with a semifinal between defending champion Fiji and Canada at Hanazono Stadium in Osaka. The second semifinal will feature host nation Japan against the United States. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-11: Pacific Nations Cup 2026 begins with Fiji vs Canada semifinal The 2026 Pacific Nations Cup rugby tournament begins this Saturday in Japan, featuring semifinals between Fiji and Canada, and Japan and the United States. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pacific-nations-cup-2026-begins-with-fiji-vs-canada-semifinal ### 2026-09-03: Japan rugby team defeats Canada 57-12 in Niigata test match Japan defeated Canada 57-12 in a rugby test match in Niigata, scoring nine tries to break a four-match losing streak as they prepare for the Pacific Nations Cup. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/japan-and-canada-to-face-off-in-rugby-union-match-in-niigata ### 2026-08-26: Rugby Canada announces 32-man squad for 2026 Pacific Nations Cup Rugby Canada has named its 32-man squad for the 2026 Pacific Nations Cup, featuring player Foster DeWitt. The team will face Japan in a warm-up before competing in semi-finals against Fiji. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rugby-canada-announces-32-man-squad-for-2026-pacific-nations-cup --- Cite as: 2026 Pacific Nations Cup rugby preparations. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/2026-pacific-nations-cup-rugby-preparations