The 2022 World Cup is finally upon us and controversy aside, all roads are pointing to Qatar. Canada are the team in question here and this will be only their second-ever World Cup, having made it to Mexico in 1986. They are a team on the rise who could well do some damage this winter, and so here is Last Word on Football’s Canada World Cup preview.
Canada World Cup Preview
Canada Key Player
Something that Canada are able to pride themselves on currently is the team unity that makes them who they are. That being said, there are still some particular standouts amongst John Herdman’s ranks. Bayern Munich superstar Alphonso Davies is the obvious one but goals win you games, thus Jonathan David is the man under the microscope here.
If this Canada World Cup campaign is to be successful, then the Lille forward will have to deliver. The 22-year-old has burst onto the scene due to his prolific scoring rate for the French side, particularly when partnered with Burak Yilmaz in their title-winning season under Christophe Galtier. Many players have moved on to pastures new but David remains a Lille man.
Jonathan David.
This guy turned down MLS offers as a teenager, instead staying with his youth club in Ottawa until he was 18, and then followed his dream of playing in Europe.
He bet on himself. He believed in himself.
And now, he’s going to the #FIFAWorldCup. #canMNT pic.twitter.com/2QM6kcJcsq
— Farhan Devji (@farhandevji) November 13, 2022
Near enough a year ago now, it seemed that the Canadian frontman was gearing up for a big money move. He stayed in France though and then after Christmas, his goals dried up completely. This watered down any hopes of a subsequent summer move and so he had to re-find his best form. With nine goals and three assists in 1,331 Ligue 1 minutes this term, it is safe to say that Jonathan David is back to his best.
Cyle Larin is another Canadian attacker plying his trade in Europe and so the sole responsibility won’t fall to David. As well as this duo, there is the experience of former Premier League man Junior Hoilett and English-born Chelsea academy graduate Ike Ugbo who also plays club football in France.
Canada Tactics
Whilst it could be a lazy piece of analysis, the Canadian squad boasts an attractive balance of youth and experience. Stalwart Atiba Hutchinson at the base of midfield is the most-capped player in their history and he could be the first to hit 100 this winter if he is a regular for Herdman.
Their most recent outing was a friendly against Bahrain and there isn’t a whole lot that can be learned from it given that a fair few regulars were absent. Herdman went with a similar outlay in terms of the formation though, a 3-4-3 being his go-to system. Alphonso Davies tends to be on the left of the attacking three with an equally dynamic wing-back behind him too.
One position of note when it comes to Canada is goalkeeper. Maxime Crepeau, formerly of the Vancouver Whitecaps and now currently with the MLS Cup-winning LAFC side, won’t be in Qatar. He sustained an injury in the final against the Philadelphia Union with the man who replaced him, John McCarthy, going on to be the hero in the shoot-out. In Crepeau’s absence, James Pantemis, Milan Borjan and Dayne St. Clair will be vying for the starting spot.
Read More: John Herdman Reveals Canada’s Roster for the World Cup in Qatar
Canada Unexpected Star
Tajon Buchanan is someone, if given the opportunities on the pitch, that can be that difference maker. Norwich City and Sheffield United target Ismael Kone is more likely to get on the field though. Buchanan has already made the jump from MLS to Europe having swapped New England for Brugge, Belgium. On the other hand, Kone is yet to do so with a summer move to Bramall Lane falling apart.
Kone is just 20 and yet was touted a huge star in another impressive season for CF Montreal with Wilfried Nancy at the helm. Djordje Mihailovic and Romell Quioto were two of the attacking pieces in that team that were worth a watch, but Kone was certainly on a similar. Whilst his stardom isn’t exactly unexpected as the title suggests, he is sure to keep hitting new heights as he develops.
Impressive performance from 20 year old Ismael Kone vs Uruguay which should confirm his appearance in Qatar with Canada – scouts were monitoring Kone again 🇨🇦 #Canada
He’s expected to make European move after inches away of joining Sheffield United on Deadline Day this summer. pic.twitter.com/JOx1bz906v
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 27, 2022
In the aforementioned friendly with Bahrain, Kone, who is traditionally a midfielder, led the line alongside Whitecaps forward Lucas Cavallini. With just six minutes on the clock, the Montreal man opened the scoring. This was his first goal for The Maple Leafs having made five appearances already.
Canada are one of those countries with a lot of untapped potential and so there are a number of players who could easily rise to the challenge. Kone is an obvious name to throw into the ring, especially when he can learn from midfielders with as much experience as Hutchinson and Stephen Eustaquio.
Canada World Cup Predictions
Given that this is only their second-ever World Cup, there won’t be a whole lot of expectation for Herdman’s men. This could equally be a Canada World Cup campaign to remember though- their squad is littered with talent worth watching after all. Navigating a group with two aging sides in Belgium and Croatia is a feasible task and the LWOF prediction here is that Canada will advance to the knockouts from second place, behind the Red Devils. A tough clash with either Spain or Germany will ultimately be the end of the road though!
