Canadian men can clinch 1st World Cup berth since 1986 on Thursday
Posted March 24, 2022 4:44 am.
Last Updated March 24, 2022 5:20 am.
Canadian sports history could be made on Thursday night when the last window of the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying begins.
Canada’s men’s soccer program can clinch their first spot in the World Cup since 1986 with an away victory over Costa Rica.
The top three CONCACAF nations qualify and Canada is eight points ahead of fourth place Panama in the standings.
Win and we’re in. A draw or loss could also see Canada qualify for the FIFA World Cup on Thursday, but ultimately we are in control of our own destiny and the goal is clear. ????#CANMNT #ForCanada #WCQ pic.twitter.com/AHuK1ko1OS
— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) March 22, 2022
A win Thursday night would guarantee a berth but Canada can also clinch even if they don’t win, based on results elsewhere:
Canada World Cup clinching possibilities on Thursday vs. Costa Rica
- If Canada wins they are in.
- If Canada draws they are still in if Panama loses or draws against Honduras, OR the U.S. loses or draws against Mexico
- If Canada loses they are still in if Panama loses or draws against Honduras, AND the U.S. loses against Mexico
Canada announces March squad for the Concacaf Final Round of FIFA World Cup Qualifiers#CANMNT ???? https://t.co/C4k7itTgIO pic.twitter.com/90f1XJmmnX
— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) March 20, 2022
If the team makes history on Thursday night, head coach John Herdman says it is just another step for the program.
“I think every man knows what’s in front of them,” Herdman said. “Their hands are on the steering wheel, they can do this.”
“They can actually do more than just qualify and that’s the exciting bit.”
Watch Live: Sitting atop the table in the final round of CONCACAF qualifying, Canada could clinch its berth in the World Cup with a win against Costa Rica on Thursday. John Herdman, their head coach, is now speaking with the media.https://t.co/QkaSATAo1D
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 23, 2022
The Canadian men are 13-0-4 through three rounds of qualifying, outscoring their competition 50-6. The team is currently ranked number 33 in the world.
Canada will wrap up qualifying play at home to Jamaica on March 27 and at Panama on March 30. They will have subsequent opportunities to qualify in those games if it doesn’t happen in Costa Rica.
The team continues to play without star Alphonso Davies who is recovering from post-COVID myocarditis. The 21-year-old from Edmonton has shown his support for the team by enthusiastically livestreaming on Twitch as he watches Canada’s games.
The Canadian men have only qualified for the World Cup on one other occasion, in Mexico in 1986, and have never scored a goal in the tournament.
You can catch Thursday night’s game against Costa Rica on Sportsnet at 10:00 ET. The 2022 World Cup kicks off in Qatar in November.
