FIFA World Cup: tough opponents for Canada

For its first World Cup since 1986, Canada did not inherit an easy group in Friday’s draw. In Group F, John Herdman’s men will cross paths with Belgium, Morocco and Croatia in Qatar.

• Read also: FIFA rankings: Canada fall

The Belgians, who hold second place in the FIFA rankings, will be Canada’s most dangerous opponents, but we should not minimize the presence of Croatia (16^and), fallen finalist of the 2018 World Cup.

Morocco (24^and) came out of the African qualifiers unbeaten, allowing just three goals in eight games.

“I think we have a good group. Belgium, number 2, why not, laughingly mentioned head coach John Herdman in a press conference. The last runners-up, Croatia… It will be two exceptional games to test us and we will be the underdogs.

“You do not have to be afraid. We have to see this as collective opportunities, but also individual ones for our players and as a country. We dreamed of it,” he added.

An exemplary career

Part of the fourth pot due to his 38^and position in the standings, Canada nevertheless finished atop the CONCACAF qualifying group. In 14 games against the seven best teams in North and Central America, the Maple Leaf has posted a record of eight wins, two losses and four draws, in addition to an excellent differential of +16.

Team Canada secured a ticket to Qatar by defeating Jamaica 4-0 at BMO Field in Toronto last weekend. On Wednesday, Canada concluded the qualifying tournament with a 1-0 loss to Panama.

France, which is putting the trophy won in Russia in 2018 into play, has inherited a group D within its reach. Didier Deschamps’ men will face Denmark, Tunisia and the winner of an intercontinental play-off match between Peru and Australia or the United Arab Emirates.

The 2022 World Cup will take place from November 21 to December 18. Canada will open its tournament against Belgium on November 23, then will face Croatia on November 27 and finally Morocco on November 1.^er December.

Groups at the 2022 World Cup

Group A:

• Qatar
• Ecuador
• Senegal
• Netherlands

Group B:

• England
• Iran
• United States
• European barrage (Wales, Ukraine or Scotland)

Group C:

• Argentina
• Saudi Arabia
• Mexico
• Poland

Group D:

• France
• Intercontinental Barrage 1 (Peru, Australia or United Arab Emirates)
• Denmark
• Tunisia

Group E:

• Spain
• Intercontinental Barrage 2 (Costa Rica or New Zealand)
• Germany
• Japan

Group F:

• Belgium
• Canada
• Morocco
• Croatia

Group G:

• Brazil
• Serbia
• Swiss
• Cameroon

Group H:

• Portugal
• Ghana
• Uruguay
• South Korea