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Canada Faces Belgium At World Cup

Canada have been drawn to play against Belgium in the group stage of the 2022 World Cup.

John Herdman’s team will also face Croatia and Morocco at the country’s first World Cup since 1986.

Canada comfortably qualified for the tournament ahead of Mexico and the USA, with this crop of players arguably the most promising in the country’s history.

Herdman insists his side go into the tournament with no fear.

“We wanted those type of games,” he said.

“You go into a World Cup, there are no easy matches and I think any team can beat any team on a given day. That’s just tournament football.

“We’ll be at our best when we rely on our grit and spirit, and then to bring that ‘no fear’ [mentality].

“For us, there will be a ‘no fear’ mentality – not naive, but no fear coming into this. Just see the opportunity to pioneer for this country and get after scoring that first goal for Canada at a World Cup.”

Elsewhere, holders Qatar were drawn against the Netherlands, Ecuador and Senegal in an intriguing looking group.

One of the favourites, England, will be quietly confident about a group containing the USA, Iran and one of Scotland, Wales or Ukraine who will compete in playoffs later in the year.

Holders France face Denmark, Tunisia and one of Australia, UAE or Peru.

Another of the favourites, Brazil, will not have it all their own way against Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon, but Tito’s men will be red hot favourites to progress.

Spain will meet Germany in a headline Group E clash. Japan, and the winner of the Costa Rica v New Zealand play-off, make up the group.

Elsewhere, Lionel Messi’s Argentina face off against Mexico, Poland and Saudi Arabia in Group C, while Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal meet Uruguay, Ghana and South Korea.

With the 21st century’s two best players now well into their 30s, this is expected to be their final World Cup, with neither having won it in their careers.

/Stewart
Sports news editor