The World Cup in Qatar is already shaping up to be one-of-its-kind. From Qatarās dismal human rights record that have been reported to deaths of migrant labourers, nations are gearing up for a truly unique adventure. 15 countries have already secured their tickets with 17 more left to join.
One of the most exciting subplots of qualifying so far has emerged from North America. The team currently sitting in first place of CONCACAF third round is not the USA or Mexico.
Updated #WCQ Standings after 11 matches! Undefeated and still 4 points clear! #CANMNT #ForCanada pic.twitter.com/rrgzlDW92K
— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) February 3, 2022
It is Canada, having taken seven wins and four draws from their 11 games. They are the only undefeated team in the confederation, and have all but secured their passage to a second World Cup, 36 years after their first and only appearance back in Mexico 1986. So, how did a perennial underachiever manage to turn the tables emphatically after so long?
A new-old face at the helm
12 managers in 15 years is a managerial hire-and-fire rate that Watford would be proud of. Indeed, this is no laughing matter as Canadian menās football lurched from one name to another in search of success.
Then came 2018 and a seismic shift in the internal workings of football in the country. John Herdman, head coach of the womenās national side since 2011 and having led them to two Olympic Bronze medals and a quarter-final finish at the 2015 World Cup, was given the reins with the menās programme.
What a job @coachherdman is doing in charge of Canada…
šTop the table
š”ļøUnbeaten in their 11 matches
ā Wins over US & Mexico
š On the cusp of first World Cup appearance since 1986š¹@CanadaSoccerEN pic.twitter.com/myJzTttX8c
— The Sack Race (@thesackrace) February 3, 2022
It sent shockwaves throughout the women team, with Herdman making the sudden jump to his first ever menās team internationally. Nevertheless, he was a familiar face which made the transition somewhat easier and with several star names maturing with age, Canada would qualify for the inaugural CONCACAF Nations League A and earn a first win over rivals USA since 1985.
More success would follow as the stock of their players rose in Europe, which meant getting more success was becoming more certain.Ā
European names leading the charge
While experts will tell you football is 11vs11, it is rarely the case. There are always some players who command a more exalted status in a team, whether it be through their exciting play or commanding consistent performances or being part of a winning culture with their respective clubs.
For Canada, these names are very well known and the most familiar of the lot. Alphonso Davies, the superstar left wingback for Bayern Munich who is the most expensive Canadian player in history. Jonathan David, a goalscoring phenom for Ligue 1 champions Lille and Canada, primed for big transfer in the summer.
šØš¦ Jonathan David (22) in his last 5 World Cup qualifiers for @CanadaSoccerEN:
š Panama ā½ļøš °ļø
š Costa Rica ā½ļø
š Mexico ā
š Honduras ā½ļø
š USA š °ļøWithout Alphonso Davies, David and Canada executed a plan vs. šŗšø.
And now theyāre 3 points closer to š¶š¦. Undefeated in CONCACAF. pic.twitter.com/ZWUJ9R99nY
— Football Wonderkids (@fbwonderkids) January 30, 2022
Cyle Larin of Besiktas who recently became the all-time leading marksmen for The Canucks. And of course, Atiba Hutchinson, the veteran captain and leading appearance maker, is still going strong at 38-years-old.
Thus, it is no surprise that Canada have blitzed their way past opponents with 19 goals scored (most) and only five conceded (fewest). David and Larin have combined for 10 of those goals with five each. With Davies not playing in the three fixtures this year due to a heart problem, there could have been some worries as to how the performances would turn out.
š 11 goals for Cyle Larin in #WCQ
šØš¦ Can he fire Canada to the World Cup for the first time since 1986?@CanadaSoccerEN | #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/vsE6trrjVb
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) January 25, 2022
However, Canada eased their past Honduras, USA, and El Salvador hitting each nation for two apiece. The win over the Americans was a further cause of celebration as it cemented their place as the most dominant team in out of the three countries on the continent. This Golden Generation of players is determined to right the embarrassment of the past and put their nation where they belong in the coming December.Ā
Richly deservedĀ
Only a miracle can stop Canada going to Qatar, and after all that they have suffered during qualifying over the years, nobody can hold a grudge against them. To be honest, they were never taken too seriously on the international forum as the presence of the USA and Mexico was just too dominant from CONCACAF.
O Canada! šØš¦
Absolute scenes in Ontario as this strike from Sam Adekugbe takes down the USA and puts them on the verge of the World Cup š
It would be Canada's first since Mexico 1986pic.twitter.com/p5TYjT4egq
— Daily Record Sport (@Record_Sport) January 30, 2022
There was the humiliating 8-1 loss to Honduras on the final matchday at this same stage during the qualifying campaign for the 2014 World Cup. A 16-game winless streak during this time dropped them to their lowest-ever ranking of 122, a run that ended after almost two years in September 2014.
Disappointing showings at the CONCACAF Gold Cup where they were not able to get out of the group stages since 2009 only elevated them as a laughing stock around the world.
šØš¦ As Canada looks to qualify for its first FIFA World Cup since 1986, manager John Herdman appreciates the difficult results his team has already achieved #CWCQ pic.twitter.com/nWvNuFQZzi
— Concacaf (@Concacaf) October 11, 2021
Herman has really galvanised the footballing fabric of the country and with Canada providing strong performances every time they take the pitch, the possibility of them producing an upset or two at the biggest stage cannot be discounted in the least.Ā
