Canada travel to Qatar later this year in what is only their second ever FIFA World Cup appearance in their history. Their first-ever World Cup match came in qualifiers for the 1958 World Cup, but they did not manage to qualify for the Finals after winning none out of their four games.
The World Cup in 1986 was their debut. Canada’s first-ever FIFA World Cup group stage game ended in a 1-0 defeat against France courtesy of a late Jean Pierre-Papin goal. They bowed out of the group stage.
36 years later, they are back amongst the big boys. Canada will also make the 2026 FIFA World Cup but as co-hosts. Since they qualified on merit this time around, it would feel a bit more special for their fans.
Here is a preview of the team that could travel to the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar with John Herdman in charge.
Goalkeepers: Milan Borjan of Red Star Belgrade is the early favourite to make the 26-man squad. The 34-year-old can expect Maxime Crepeau of Los Angeles FC to play backup to him.
Defenders: Centre-backs Scott Kennedy of Jahn Regensburg, Derek Cornelius from Panetolikos) Steven Vitoria of Chaves and Kamal Miller from MLS team CF Montreal can be very confident of making the cut for the grand event in Qatar.
Richie Laryea of Nottingham Forest in the Championship is the clear favourite to start at right-back while Bayern Munich’s Alphonse Davies could also double up as a left-back, the position he plays in for the Bavarian giants.
Alistair Johnston of Canadian team CF Montreal is another name to keep an eye out for.
Midfielders: Stephen Eustaquio from Porto FC and Atiba Hutchinson of Besiktas JK are sure-shot selections. Tajon Buchanan of Club Brugge, free agent Junior Hoilett, and Colorado Rapids’ Mark-Anthony Kaye can also expect to get the nod.
Forwards: This is where things get interesting. Davies plays as a full-back at Bayern but can very well be deployed in midfield as well. However, it is even more likely to see him play in attack.
Brugge’s Cyle Larin and LOSC Lille Metropol’s hitman Jonathan David are the other two names virtually guaranteed to make the 26-man shortlist. Ike Ugbo of Troyes is another name we assume would feel very confident about being selected.
Canada face Belgium, Croatia, and Morocco in Group F of the World Cup this year. The Red Devils are once again the dark horses of the tournament while Croatia were the finalists of the 2018 edition.
It is hard to see how Canada qualify from this group, and it is the same amongst the bookies. Betway also believe Canada will struggle to get out their group, pricing them at 4.00 to get through. However, a win against Morocco and a draw against either of the two big teams could do the trick.
