Canada arrive at their home World Cup appearing on the global stage for just the third time.
They qualified for a second tournament back in 2022, but they were knocked out in the group stage in Qatar after losing all of their three games.
They will be hoping this time that home advantage goes for them, as they line up in Group B with Bosnia-Herzegovina, Qatar and Switzerland.
Jesse Marsch’s men take on Bosnia first in Toronto, Ontario on day two of the tournament, before they settle at BC Place in Vancouver, British Colombia, for their games against Qatar and the Swiss.
In terms of their squad, star man Alphonso Davies has been ruled out for Canada’s preparation friendlies in the build-up to the World Cup with a hamstring problem, and his club Bayern Munich are at odds with his country over running the left-back into the ground.
Davies tore his ACL while on international duty last year, and it kept him sidelined for much of the club campaign.
Marsch remains confident that his key man will be back to feature in some capacity at this tournament.
Canada World Cup squad
Goalkeepers: Dayne St Clair, Maxime Crepeau, Owen Goodman
Defenders: Alistair Johnston, Derek Cornelius, Richie Laryea, Niko Sigur, Joel Waterman, Luc de Fougerolles, Moise Bombito, Alphonso Davies, Alfie Jones
Midfielders: Stephen Eustaquio, Ismael Kone, Tajon Buchanan, Mathieu Choiniere, Ali Ahmed, Nathan Saliba, Liam Millar, Marcelo Flores, Jacob Shaffelburg, Jonathan Osorio
Forwards: Jonathan David, Cyle Larin, Tani Oluwaseyi, Promise David
Canada World Cup fixtures
(all times BST)
vs Bosnia (8pm on June 12, BMO Field)
vs Qatar (11pm on June 18, BC Place)
vs Switzerland (8pm on June 24, BC Place)
Canada World Cup prediction
The Canadians will fancy their chances of getting out of the group stage considering they have home advantage.
They are by no means a one-man team, and they boast a couple of big names within their ranks, such as Jonathan David and silky midfielder Ismael Kone.
They aren’t in the strongest group, which will only increase their chances of reaching the knockout rounds, but they lack the sheer quality and depth to go any further than the first round.
Key player
If fit, Alphonso Davies is their captain, leader, legend. A left-back by trade, he is afforded the licence to practically do as he pleases in this team.
But the big question mark remains over his fitness. Has he fully recovered from that ACL injury that he suffered while on Canada duty last year? Will he be able to overcome his latest hamstring setback? Is he being rushed back?
He has played 58 times for the senior side, scoring 15 times.
Latest Canada World Cup odds
To win the World Cup: 150/1
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
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