After dominating Jamaica 4-0 in Toronto, Canada has qualified for the World Cup of football for the first time in 36 years.
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Canada World Cup
In Qatar, Canada will begin its first World Cup appearance in 36 years against No. 2-ranked Belgium, one of the tournament’s most difficult opponents.
The Canada ball in Pot 4 came up as the final one of the evening, making the Canadians the last team chosen during the 2022 World Cup draw.
Outside of Belgium, though, it may feel as though it has a chance to advance against the other two opponents in Group F, Morocco and Croatia.
Canada should have a chance to defeat any team in the world if Alphonso Davies, Jonathan David, Cyle Larin, and Tajon Buchanan are all fit.
However, the fact remains that Les Rouges haven’t faced competition outside of the CONCACAF zone.
Prior to the opening match against Belgium, manager John Herdman has seven months to give his players the critically needed seasoning.
Canada World Cup Qualifying
In the first game back on the big stage, taking points away from Belgium is a tall ask.
The second matchup against World Cup runner-up Croatia is crucial if they want to have a chance of moving on to the knockout stages.
If the Canadians can win that game and earn a point, they can hope to beat Morocco on the last day of the tournament because four points in group play is frequently enough to advance a team to the knockout rounds.
The crucial game for Canada will be the last one, barring a significant upset in one of the first two contests.
It is up against a team from Morocco that isn’t completely dominating. They are a cautious, defense-first squad with offensive difference makers who can score goals when they need them.
There will be no clear favorite, as Alphonso Davies and Achraf Hakimi will engage in a compelling duel.
Airtight defence and outstanding goalkeeping will be crucial for a side like Canada that hopes to shock people on the World Cup stage. You assume Larin & Co. will achieve their goals. Whether they can maintain a couple shutouts along the way is the question. The CONCACAF qualifying series’ last two losses in three games casts more question on the process.
Canada Match Schedule
Canada World Cup Squad Preview
Young players, seasoned athletes, and players from various clubs from across the world have combined to build a cohesive group.
World-class athletes Davies and David are the face of the team, but Hutchinson and Borjan have fostered a culture where the players work as a cohesive team.
The team is a masterpiece. Not three years ago, Alistair Johnston was playing for his college team. Since then, he has grown into a versatile rock at the back and has played practically every minute of World Cup qualification.
While two players represent Turkish club Besiktas, Borjan is a native of Serbian team Red Star Belgrade.
There are nine Major League Soccer players on the roster, but there are also players from teams in France, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Greece, Portugal, and England.
Star Players: Alphonso Davies, Jonathan David
Captain (Vice-captain): Atiba Hutchinson (Milan Borjan)
Players to Watch: Stephen Eustaquio, Tajon Buchanan
Players to play in WCQ final stage: 27
Players in Top 5 Euro leagues (% of WCQ pool): 3 (11%)
Canada’s Advantages
The Canada team has been cultivated by John Herdman to function as a unit that is greater than the sum of its parts.
Almost all of the lineups and formations that the manager has tried out have been effective.
With Alphonso Davies storming forward from his left-back position to team up with the dangerous Cyle Larin and Jonathan David, the attacking potential is exploding with goal-scoring activity.
Due to the adaptability of the team’s players, Herdman may adjust his tactical strategy to counteract the advantages of the opposition.
Canada’s Shortcomings
Although this team demonstrated its worth throughout CONCACAF qualifying, it has not yet competed against the best in the world, and this inexperience might hurt them at the World Cup.
Injuries have also taken their toll, as was seen in the qualifying final defeat to Panama, where the squad was forced to field an entire second-choice defense unit owing to injuries and fatigued legs.
This squad doesn’t have a lot of depth, so it needs everyone to be healthy in order to succeed in Qatar.
Who is the Head Coach of Canada?
The country made the audacious decision to hire John Herdman, the Canada women’s coach at the time and a man without senior-level men’s coaching experience, after the 2014 World Cup qualifying cycle in which Canada failed to even reach the final round Hexagonal while being led by three separate head coaches.
Herdman has launched a new era of Canadian soccer as a result of his daring choice. His strategies have given a disorganized collection of players the best chance of winning, and the squad appears strong at home and at ease in more challenging road situations.
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