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Josh Gross
Canada World Cup Team Preview
Canada
FIFA Ranking: 41
Manager: John Herdman
Federation: CONCACAF
Group: Belgium, Croatia, Canada, Morocco
Odds to win World Cup: +30000, PointsBet
Odds to win Group F: +1400, Caesars
Odds to advance in Group F: +310, Caesars
How did Canada qualify for the World Cup?
What a run it was for Canada. Because of their lack of international success, Canada had to play in all stages of CONCACAF qualifying. After breezing through the first stage, Canada impressed by drawing to both Mexico and the US. Ultimately, Canada ended up finishing first in CONCACAF and qualified for their first World Cup since 1986.
Who is Canada’s most important player?
Alphonso Davies
Davies is one of the brightest young players in the world, currently playing in Germany for Bayern Munich. Davies plays more of a full-back position for Bayern but will likely play further up the pitch as a winger where he is best suited for Canada. Davies is a speedster with exceptional technical abilities and a smooth left-footed cross. The key issue with Davies is that he picked up a hamstring injury a few weeks ago. All signs are pointing to him being fit, but it is certainly something to monitor. If Davies reinjures his hamstring, Canada’s Cinderella hopes of advancing to the knockout stage will be bleak.
What are Canada’s strengths, weaknesses, style of play and form?
Canada will play a 3-5-2 with Alphonso Davies playing as a left winger or modified left wingback. Canada have two of the fastest players in the tournament in Davies and Tajon Buchanan, so expect Canada to drop possession and look to counter attack with their speedy wingers.
Canada’s speed is their greatest asset. There are very few players in this tournament who can keep up with either Davies and Buchanan. That speed plays particularly well for Canada as their second biggest strength are their two strikers in Cyle Larin and Jonathan David. Both are big strong strikers with good speed and strong finishing abilities.
Canada is a young team with zero World Cup experience. Canada’s backline also does not possess the talent they have out wide and up front which will cause Davies and Buchanan to play further back at times than Canada probably would hope for.
Canada has had two recent friendlies, beating Qatar 2-0 and losing to Uruguay 2-0. Both outcomes are about expected. They will play Bahrain in their final World Cup tuneup Nov. 11.
What is Canada’s World Cup Outlook?
Not to diminish Canada’s squad, but Canada should be happy just to be in the World Cup. Again, this is their first World Cup berth since 1986 and qualifying for the World Cup is already an incredible achievement as is. That said, there is legitimate talent on this Canadian side and had they been drawn into an easier group they would probably be one of the trendier longshot bets to make it to the knockout stage.
Best Canada World Cup Bet
None. Considering the strength of Group F, I don’t think we are getting enough value at +310 to advance. It’s not just Belgium and Croatia they have to beat, Morocco is a strong side (arguably stronger side) so getting four points out of this group seems like a steep step.
Canada World Cup Roster
Goalkeepers: Milan Borjan, James Pantemis, Dayne St Clair
Defenders: Kamal Miller, Steven Vitoria, Joel Waterman, Derek Cornelius, Sam Adekugbe, Alistair Johnston, Richie Laryea
Midfielders: Atiba Hutchinson, Stephen Eustaquio, Jonathan Osorio, Mark-Anthony Kaye, Sam Piette, Ismael Kone, Liam Fraser, David Wotherspoon
Forwards: Tajon Buchanan, Alphonso Davies, Jonathan David, Junior Hoilett, Cyle Larin, Lucas Cavallini, Liam Millar, Ike Ugbo
Group A | Ecuador Senegal Netherlands Qatar
Group B | Iran Wales USA England
Group C | Mexico Saudi Arabia Poland Argentina
Group D | Tunisia Denmark Australia France
Group E | Japan Germany Costa Rica Spain
Group F | Croatia Morocco Canada Belgium
