Canada has been waiting since 1986 to reach another World Cup, and now the team has done just that after a dramatic run in the CONCACAF qualifiers.
The revival in Canadian football was completely unexpected, as a new generation of young players, led by Champions League winner Alphonso Davies, Lille star Jonathan David and Besiktas’ Cyle Larin, have teamed up to form the best team the world has ever seen.
Davies’ ability to play for the Canadian wing has been key, as he continues to show the flexibility of playing in a different environment than he used to playback at Bayern Munich.
It is no coincidence that the arrival of coach John Herdman marked the beginning of a new era in Canada. He understood that the brutal screening process in North America, which saw the team play under different conditions, was something that always prevented Canada.
Canada’s crucial 2-1 victory over Mexico in the snow in November 2021 sparked some amazing scenes and it was that game that gave the team real faith that it could do something special.
Then, just four months later, they closed out their place in Qatar after a 4-0 win at home against Jamaica.
Herdman has a good record in football, leading the Canadian women’s team to win bronze medals at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympics.
His men’s departure comes slowly as he believes the new generation has the potential to enter the World Cup, which will not only give the country something exciting, but it will also benefit Canadian football financially. .
FIFA will pay the Canadian Soccer Association about $ 12 million to reach the World Cup, a sum that will exceed just 2020 revenue.
“It will change the world and our sport forever. We must use this time and mark the next 20 or 30 years,” Herdman said.
Canadian graduates saw them rise from 72nd to 40th in the FIFA men’s world rankings by 2021, earning the honor of the most advanced team last year.
They are currently ranked 38th and that will put them in the 4th pot where the World Cup will be held on Friday, April 1, so they will face the biggest teams going forward in Qatar when the event takes place in November and December.
Canada will still win the World Cup, having lost all three of their matches in 1986, so winning the group stage could be a huge success for them.
They will book a place in the 2026 World Cup, as they will be dominating the USA and Mexico, so this could be the beginning of Canada’s success in major tournaments.
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