Canada, the surprise outsider of the World Cup?

As you know, the Canadian national sport is not football, but rather ice hockey. However, after the historic qualification of the team for the next world Cup in Qatar, many specialists see Canada as one of the big surprises of the World Cup . Let's see together why!

The ambition of the Canadian selection

This is only the second time that the country has participated in a World Cup! Forty years after its last participation (1986), Canada is back. However, the country has never yet managed to take a point, or even score a goal in the competition. The history of the Canadian selection is marked by many failures, as evidenced by the nine selectors who succeeded each other between 2009 and 2018. The level is currently rising , taking the country from the 117th place in Fifa in 2006 to the 43rd place in 2023!

The entire nation hopes to finally find a men's football team that can compete with the greatest, as does the women's selection (Olympic champions in 2021) of Christine Sinclair. Everyone believes in it, thanks to a new golden generation and a modern management of the English coach John Herdman . The qualifying round showed all the qualities of this team, which currently ranks as the best team in CONCACAF.

🎯 The country's ambition is twofold : to find the pleasure of the high level and the most prestigious competition in the simplest possible way, while keeping a legitimate ambition in view of the last performances of the selection. A perfect position, since the team will play without pressure or complex.

What will Team Canada look like?

To become the surprise outsider of this World Cup in Canada, coach John Herdman will have to compose the best possible team and make the best use of this golden generation entrusted to him. The greatest quality of this coach is his flexibility, he never hesitates to change his system to adapt to his opponents . But one composition stands out from the crowd and could well be the most used during the competition.

📄 The probable composition :

• 4-4-2 flat , with two attacking midfielders who can turn into wingers ;
• Goalkeeper : Borjan ;
• Defence : Adekugbe, Miller, Vitoria, Johnston ;
• Middle : Davies, Hutchinson, Eustaquio, Buchanan ;
• Attack : David, Larin ;
• Replace : Crépeau, St.Clair, Kennedy, Henry, Cornelius, Laryea, Osorio, Kaye, Piette, Fraser, Wotherspoon, Cavallini, Hoilett, Ugbo, Miller.

Of course, the star player of this team, Alfonso Davies, will have a lot of responsibilities in this team. With his quality of percussion and his volume of races, the whole nation hopes that he will be at the top of his form next November. The attacking duo David and Larin can also hurt a lot during the competition! Clearly, this team can hope for qualification in Group F, by facing Morocco, Croatia and Belgium.