MIAMI, Florida – Canada are back in a FIFA Men’s World Cup for the first time since 1986 and their long-awaited return starts with a encounter against 2018 semifinalists Belgium in Group F at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar.
Not only will Canada be looking to secure a first ever Men’s World Cup victory, but with a score on Wednesday, they will have tallied a first ever World Cup goal.
Canada clinched their ticket to Qatar 2022 after finishing in First Place in the Final Round of Concacaf World Cup Qualifying. The Canadians accumulated a record of 8W-4D-2L, with 23 goals scored and just seven conceded on their way to the top of the eight-team table.
But not only did Canada have to navigate the Final Round of WCQ, they also had to overcome opposition in the First and Second Rounds. Through it all, Canada led all teams in points (46), goals (54) and victories (14) across all rounds of CWCQ.
At the individual level, some of the stars of the show were Cyle Larin and Jonathan David, who led the team in scoring with 13 and nine goals, respectively.
But many eyes will also be on Alphonso Davies, considered to be one of the top left backs in the world. The pace of the Bayern Munich man could be the key to Canada’s transition game and opening up the Belgian defense.
Those Canada stars and more will face a Belgium team with a wealth of talent as well. Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard are among the marquee names on the squad and they will provide a stiff test against what has been a very sturdy Canadian defense.
Belgium have also developed a winning habit of late in World Cups, having won six of their last seven matches on the big stage.
Thirty-six years after their last Men’s World Cup, a new generation of Canada players will be out to make history against one of Europe’s powerhouses.
