It’s time for fans to do what head coach John Herdman asked and trade their European or South American soccer jerseys for Canadian ones as the men’s national team returns to the World Cup for the first time since 1986.
Drawn in Group F, Herdman will lead Canada against Belgium in its group stage opener on Wednesday before taking on Croatia and Morocco.
Here is everything you need to know ahead of the monumental clash in Qatar.
ALPHONSO DAVIES FULLY FIT
Canadian fans can breathe a huge sigh of relief on the eve of its first World Cup game in 36 years after Herdman confirmed star player Alphonso Davies is back to full fitness.
The Bayern Munich defender picked up a hamstring injury on Nov. 5 and has been unavailable ever since.
Davies plays in both attack and defence, often floating around the pitch thanks to his whirlwind speed, is a vital leader in the squad and notably the face of Canada’s team following his impressive rise in Europe.
The question now is whether the 22-year-old will reintegrate seamlessly, having been sidelined for two-and-a-half weeks.
On Tuesday, Herdman admitted Davies, as well as previously injured Stephen Eustaquio (who pulls the strings in midfield for Canada), are both expected to start against Belgium.
Starting goalkeeper Milan Borjan is also set to feature after picking up an abdominal issue. This news is significant for Canada’s defence as second-choice goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau is not in Qatar after breaking his leg earlier this month.
KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH
Canada’s first clash in Group F is arguably the toughest, coming up against second-ranked Belgium. Even with its “Golden Generation” aging, that does not mean you can write the Europeans off.
Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois, the reigning Yashin Trophy winner for best goalkeeper, will be difficult for the likes of go-to forwards Cyle Larin and Jonathan David to beat. Canada must also nullify Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne who is expected to dictate ball control.
Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku, however, will not feature in the match after not fully recovering from injury, as confirmed by Belgium’s head coach Roberto Martinez on Tuesday. Real Madrid forward Eden Hazard, meanwhile, will captain the side and start the match.
Then if you’re a new soccer fan thanks to Canada’s impressive qualification for Qatar, the notable names to keep an eye on are Davies, Eustaquio, Larin and David, as well as defenders Alistair Johnston and Sam Adekugbe on the wings, plus the leadership of captain Atiba Hutchinson in midfield.
FORM RECORD
Heading into the clash, Canada has two wins, one draw and two losses from its last five games. The most notable result was a 2-1 win over 24th-ranked Japan as the final preparation match heading into Qatar.
Belgium, meanwhile, also has two wins, one draw and two losses to its name. Notably, both defeats were from its final two preparation games heading into Qatar against Netherlands and Egypt.
ALL EYES ON THE REFEREE
The man with the whistle between Belgium and Canada will be referee Janny Sikazwe.
The 43-year-old from Zambia officiated during the 2018 World Cup but is most recently known for controversial events during an Africa Cup of Nations match in January.
Sikazwe blew the full-time whistle after only 85 minutes instead of 90 and then blew early again in the 89th minute, seeing the match end prematurely.
PATHWAY TO THE KNOCKOUTS
Canada must finish in one of the top two spots in Group F to move to the knockouts, which will prove to be a difficult test.
Earning three points with a win or one with a draw against Belgium would significantly boost Canada’s hope for survival.
Yet even with a loss, the 41st-ranked side could still move on depending on later results. In past tournaments, teams have reached the knockouts with only four points total.
A long 36-year wait to return to the Men’s World Cup is almost over, and a country full of soccer fans – new or old – will be glued to the screen watching Herdman’s side try to pull off the unthinkable.
Speaking in pre-match press conferences, the head coach and players said they will not shy away from the pressure and instead do what they do best; play their game the way they know they can.
Forward Ike Ugbo and defender Steven Vitoria specifically highlighted the squad’s desire to be respected on the world’s biggest stage while Herdman insisted it’s a new awakening for Canada right now.
The one thing fans can watch out for will be Canada’s first-ever goal at the men’s World Cup. During the 1986 edition of the tournament, the team failed to score in all three matches.
If this new generation can put the ball in the net against the second-best side in the world on Wednesday and potentially hold its own in its first World Cup clash in 36 years, it might kickstart a historic week of soccer.
HOW TO WATCH
Ahead of the match, CTV and TSN will have a special three-hour preview beginning at 11 a.m. EST/8 a.m. PST.
The game officially kicks off at 2 p.m. EST/11 a.m. PST.
Demands for government intervention in Air Canada labour talks could negatively affect airline competition in Canada, the CEO of travel company Transat AT Inc. said.
“The extension of such an extraordinary intervention to Air Canada would be an undeniable competitive advantage to the detriment of other Canadian airlines,” Annick Guérard told analysts on an earnings conference call on Thursday.
“The time and urgency is now. It is time to restore healthy competition in Canada,” she added.
Air Canada has asked the federal government to be ready to intervene and request arbitration as early as this weekend to avoid disruptions.
Comments on the potential Air Canada pilot strike or lock out came as Transat reported third-quarter financial results.
Guérard recalled Transat’s labour negotiations with its flight attendants earlier this year, which the company said it handled without asking for government intervention.
The airline’s 2,100 flight attendants voted 99 per cent in favour of a strike mandate and twice rejected tentative deals before approving a new collective agreement in late February.
As the collective agreement for Air Transat pilots ends in June next year, Guérard anticipates similar pressure to increase overall wages as seen in Air Canada’s negotiations, but reckons it will come out “as a win, win, win deal.”
“The pilots are preparing on their side, we are preparing on our side and we’re confident that we’re going to come up with a reasonable deal,” she told analysts when asked about the upcoming negotiations.
The parent company of Air Transat reported it lost $39.9 million or $1.03 per diluted share in its quarter ended July 31. The result compared with a profit of $57.3 million or $1.49 per diluted share a year earlier.
Revenue totalled $736.2 million, down from $746.3 million in the same quarter last year.
On an adjusted basis, Transat says it lost $1.10 per share in its latest quarter compared with an adjusted profit of $1.10 per share a year earlier.
It attributed reduced revenues to lower airline unit revenues, competition, industry-wide overcapacity and economic uncertainty.
Air Transat is also among the airlines facing challenges related to the recall of Pratt & Whitney turbofan jet engines for inspection and repair.
The recall has so far grounded six aircraft, Guérard said on the call.
“We have agreed to financial compensation for grounded aircraft during the 2023-2024 period,” she said. “Alongside this financial compensation, Pratt & Whitney will provide us with two additional spare engines, which we intend to monetize through a sell and lease back transaction.”
Looking ahead, the CEO said she expects consumer demand to remain somewhat uncertain amid high interest rates.
“We are currently seeing ongoing pricing pressure extending into the winter season,” she added. Air Transat is not planning on adding additional aircraft next year but anticipates stability.
“(2025) for us will be much more stable than 2024 in terms of fleet movements and operation, and this will definitely have a positive effect on cost and customer satisfaction as well,” the CEO told analysts.
“We are more and more moving away from all the disruption that we had to go through early in 2024,” she added.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 12, 2024.
