On Sunday morning live from Doha John Herdman finally released the roster of 26 players who will represent Canada at the World Cup.
John Herdman Reveals Canada’s Roster for the FIFA World Cup
26 players, 1 dream 🇨🇦#CANMNT x @CIBC #WeCAN pic.twitter.com/cjN1TnqPXf
— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) November 13, 2022
Goalkeepers and Defence Including the Rise of Joel Waterman
Starting in the net and due to the long-term injury of Maxime Crepeau who was slated to be the number two backup Herdman went with James Pantemis and Dayne St Clair for his number two and number three. He went with a strong lineup on defense, picking Sam Adekugbe, Alistair Johnston, Richie Lareya, Kamal Miller, Steven Vitória, Derek Cornelius, and Joel Waterman.
Doneil Henry was named to the squad to face Bahrain last Friday and suffered a calf injury which John Herdman confirmed in a press conference after the roster was revealed. “It was one of the hardest decisions I have ever made,” said Herdman.
Waterman, who made his debut for Canada against Bahrain has been an incredible story starting his career in the CPL and making his way up to MLS and being a defensive catalyst with CF Montréal, and helping them on their remarkable run to the MLS East semifinals, where Montreal lost to New York City FC.
CanMNT Midfielders and Forwards
In the midfield, we have Liam Fraser, Ismaël Koné, Mark Anthony Kaye, David Wotherspoon, Jonathan Osorio, Atiba Hutchinson, Stephen Eustáquio, and Samuel Piette. Koné also has had a meteoric rise playing amateur soccer only two years ago and now making a World Cup roster.
Again, for CF Montréal, he impressed, scoring his first goal for Montreal in the 2022 Concacaf Champions League and the young rookie is starting to be recognized on the global stage as English sides Norwich and Sheffield United made record offers of five million dollars for him.
Osorio is another great story being with team Canada since day one and coming back from a concussion to cement his spot on the roster, Hutchinson played 70 minutes in a cup game for Besiktas and it looks like he will get his chance to return to the team.
The forwards are where Canada will look to get goals and create offense with the likes of Liam Miller, Lucas Cavallini, Iké Ugbo, Tajon Buchanan, Jonathan David, Cyle Larin, Junior Hoilett, and most notably Alphonso Davies, the team superstar.
Scare with Alphonso Davies and the 2022 FIFA World Cup
The CanMNT got a scare when he suffered a hamstring injury with FC Bayern Munich but after an MRI revealed the severity he confirmed he would miss the last two games and recover and should be ready for the opener against Belgium in just 10 days.
John Herdman Roster Reaction 🍁
"I think right at the core is loyalty, trust and brotherhood. I think this is going to be an X-factor for Canada at this World Cup."#WeCAN pic.twitter.com/3ZJ5H47l41
— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) November 13, 2022
Read More: The CanMNT qualify for the 2022 World Cup with a 4-0 win
Herdman also confirmed that a decision was made to let him stay at Bayern until the last minute so the medical staff could take care of and help him with his injury. Canada will face Belgium on November 23rd before facing Croatia on the 27th and wrapping up the group stage against Morocco on December 1st.
This will be a historic moment for the CanMNT, which will look to make history in this year’s FIFA World Cup. This World Cup will be Canada’s second FIFA World Cup appearance with their first one happening in 1986. All the 2022 FIFA World Cup games will be televised nationally and live on TSN.
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