Canada's odds to win the World Cup
250/1
Best World Cup
Group stage 1986
2018 World Cup
Did not qualify
Canada's World Cup Schedule
|
Date |
Fixture |
Location |
|
23rd November 7pm |
Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan |
|
|
27th November 4pm |
Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan |
|
|
1st December 3pm |
Al Thumama Stadium, Al Khor |
Road to Qatar
Canada will unsurprisingly start the World Cup as major underdogs, but it shouldn't be forgotten that they bagged 31 goals in six games to top their preliminary group, and although they then drew four of their opening five games in the main group, they then strung six straight victories together that included home success against Mexico and USA. Even though they lost their last two away games by a solitary goal in Panama and Costa Rica, they had already done enough to finish top of a difficult CONCACAF group to reach the finals for the first time since 1986.
Recent form
Since qualifying, Canada's limited appearances have brought fluctuating fortunes that has seen them sandwich a 2-1 defeat to Honduras between more promising wins over Curacao (4-0) and Qatar (2-0), albeit against modest opposition. September's 2-0 defeat to Uruguay in Bratislave gives a more realistic indication of the task ahead in what is a challenging group.
Canada squad
Goalkeepers: Milan Borjan (Red Star Belgrade), James Pantemis (CF Montreal), Dayne St Clair (Minnesota United)
Defenders: Sam Adekugbe (Hatayspor), Derek Cornelius (Vancouver Whitecaps - Panetolikos), Alistair Johnston (CF Montreal), Richie Laryea (Nottingham Forest), Kamal Miller (CF Montreal), Steven Vitoria (Chaves), Joel Waterman (CF Montreal)
Midfielders: Stephen Eustaquio (FC Porto), Liam Fraser (Deinze), Atiba Hutchinson (Besiktas), Mark-Anthony Kaye (Toronto FC), Ismael Kone (CF Montreal), Jonathan Osorio (Toronto FC), Samuel Piette (CF Montreal), David Wotherspoon (St Johnstone)
Forwards: Tajon Buchanan (Club Brugge), Lucas Cavallini (Vancouver Whitecaps), Jonathan David (Lille), Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich), Junior Hoillett (Reading), Cyle Larin (Club Brugge), Liam Miller (FC Basel), Ike Ugbo (Troyes)
Team insights
Probable formation: 3-4-3 Canada have progressed to their second ever World Cup finals by employing a mobile 3-4-3 line-up that can quickly transform to a 5-4-1 when out of possession, a tactic that might prove crucial in thwarting the attacking ambitions of top quality opposition. When in possession, Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies is likely to play a crucial pivotal role between the attacking lines, and he will be looking to get the ball in dangerous areas for the likes of Junior Hoillett of Reading, Club Brugge's Cyle Larin and Lille's Jonathan David to to feed on in the final third.
World Cup prospects
While no team should be written off completely, it's difficult to see a way out of Group F for Canada, especially as they open their account against much-fancied Belgium, only to come up against 2018's losing finalists, Croatia, four days later. Unless they can create an upset in one of those games, their final game against Morocco is likely to be no more than a wooden spoon affair. Best hope: winning their final group game.
Read more about each of Canada's Group F opponents: