Soccer Night in Canada: Hope, Expectation & Alphonso Davies
Drawn into Group F with Belgium, Croatia, and Morocco, the Canadians face an uphill battle to reach the knockout rounds at the Qatar World Cup.
However, they should take confidence from their impressive qualification form – which saw them vault the USA and Mexico to top the final pool in CONCACAF.
Also of note: Canada will make their first World Cup appearance since Mexico 1986 on Wednesday [23 November] and head into the match with the best collection of talent in national history.
Canada’s return to the World Cup could not have arrived at a better time, with a home tournament on the horizon and the body responsible for running its national sport mired in controversy.
Hockey Canada has been rocked by a series of scandals that have forced executives before parliament and out of their roles. Earlier this year, the corporation revealed that it used a secret fund to settle dozens of sexual misconduct complaints – which sparked a sponsorship revolt and widespread condemnation.
“It is inconceivable that folks at Hockey Canada continue to dig in. It’s not like there’s anything extraordinarily special about the people at Hockey Canada that means they are the only people in the country that can run an organisation like this,” said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
While the Canadian Soccer Association also has issues to address, the squad’s qualification presents a rare opportunity to draw attention to the sport in a country where hockey is dominant.
“In an era when hockey is facing much criticism for being an elite sport available to only a limited number, soccer is the exact opposite,” explained sports journalist Keith Forsyth.
“Having the men's team follow the women's lead onto the international stage is huge. Names like Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David won't necessarily become household names overnight in Canada, but they will get more exposure leading to more kids playing and participating.”
Shaun Filippelli, a freelance sportswriter, added: “It's monumental that Canada is participating, not just for what that means for the growth of the sport in the present but for the ripple effect it will impact for decades to come.”
Davies is the star, but he is surrounded by a squad on the rise and a dynamic head coach.
After six years at the helm of the women’s squad, John Herdman was appointed to lead the CANMNT in January 2018. Nobody expected his appointment to culminate in qualification for the World Cup — but that comes with the territory for an Englishman who moved to New Zealand to start his career.
Then, there’s the captain.
Atiba Hutchinson, so often linked with West Ham, has played a crucial defensive midfield role for his national team for almost two decades and continues to own the armband in his age-39 season.
But it all comes back to Davies, who plays in the forward line for his country.
“He's been the game-changer," explained Herdman. "He symbolises the new Canada. Many people can't find an outlet, so Alphonso has become the portal for them to express themselves and enjoy football. He’s a generational talent. He’s special.”
There are, of course, other players to watch for Canada, not least LOSC Lile forward Jonathan David.
“Canadians need to take note of David who is coming to the World Cup firing on all cylinders,” explained Forsyth. “He is the only Canadian other than Davies playing in one of Europe’s big five leagues. If David or Davies don't score, Canada won't have success.”
Filippelli, meanwhile, is focused on veteran centre-back Steven Vitória.
Born in Toronto, the 35-year-old represented Portugal as a youth international but filed a one-time switch to join Canada’s squad in 2016 and hasn’t looked back since.
“Bias as it may sound, as his brother and I were friends growing up, so I got to know him at a kid, but I'll be focused on Vitória the whole way through. Aside from the personal connection, he's put in the work to get here — he deserves this spotlight and success,” said Filippelli.
Unlike their rivals to the south, the Canadians arrive in Qatar with unrestrictive expectations and a development plan built for the 2026 World Cup.
“I think it's fair to recognize that they are underdogs, but that won't impact their ability to make it tough on any favoured opponent,” explained Filippelli. “I expect to see their energy keep every match close, with at least one win in the group stage.”
Morocco’s draw with Croatia provides another justification for Canadian hope: there are points to be had in Group F, especially if Herdman’s side plays tight defence.
“I think Canada has a real chance to get a result against Croatia and Belgium [but] advancing out of group play may be a stretch but I don't think it's out of reach,” said Forsyth, who has half-an-eye on the horizon.
“The fact they have qualified has already set the stage for growth between now and 2026 as more Canadians will be watching than ever before. The fact these players will have the experience under their belt will only benefit them moving forward in the next four years. They won the CONCACAF tournament this year, no reason they can't do it again in 2026.”
For Canada, their run in Qatar is about the future as much as it is the present — but that shouldn’t — and won’t — stop Davies & Co. from targeting an upset along the way.
Shaun Filippelli covers the Chicago Blackhawks for The Hockey Writers. He also freelances as Mr Always Write — which includes work on the World Cup.
Keith Forsyth is a retired teacher who covers the Winnipeg Jets for The Hockey Writers.