Can Canada Build on Historic World Cup?
The Canada national team made history by securing their spot in the recent 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
It was the nation’s first World Cup appearance since Mexico ’86. With Canada set to co-host the 2026 version, they will feature in back-to-back World Cups for the first time ever.
The Reds have come on leaps and bounds over the past few years or so. They won eight of 14 games in the Third Round of qualifying to finish top and secure their place in the 2022 World Cup.
Canadians Gear Up For Home World Cup
Canada will be desperate to kick on ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which they will co-host with the United States and Mexico. We may have only just waved goodbye to a memorable 2022 World Cup in Qatar, but there are already odds available in the section for sports betting at William Hill for the upcoming 2026 edition. 2022 finalists France are the favourites at 11/2, with Brazil just behind at 6/1.
The country has never hosted a World Cup, but they were the home nation of the 1976 Summer Olympics, while the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup was also held in Canada and the US.
Canada Make History In 2022
Despite failing to take a point in Qatar, John Herdman and his troops certainly enjoyed the occasion. The Reds were excellent in their opening game of the tournament against Belgium. They were the better side against the top-ranked European nation in the world at the time, but the Belgians nicked a narrow 1-0 win, as covered by the BBC.
Canada took an early lead in game two against Croatia, who went on to reach the semi-finals and pick up the bronze medal. However, they ended up losing 4-1 before suffering a 2-1 reverse to Morocco – who also reached the last four – in their final Group F fixture in Qatar.
In total, Canada has played six World Cup matches, failing to win any. Nevertheless, there were positive signs in Qatar, and the Reds are undoubtedly on the rise under English head coach Herdman.
Before turning their full attention to the home tournament in 2026, Canada will be looking to build on the 2022 World Cup when the CONCACAF Nations League resumes in March.
They have work to do in Group C after taking three points from a possible six. After a 4-0 home victory over Curacao in their opening game in June, the Canadians crashed to a 2-1 defeat in Honduras a few days later. In March 2023, Canada travel to Curacao before entertaining Honduras and they are still likely to be seen as favourites in the betting as seen here on TheSpread.com because the level of performances they showed during the World Cup against top opposition was hugely promising. They will be hoping to win the group and qualify for the Nations League Finals and the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
How Far Can Herdman Take The Reds?
Exciting times lie ahead for this talented group of Canadian stars. They have a very capable coach in Herdman, who has improved the side enormously since taking in 2018. Could this be the start of a golden era for the Canadian national team?
