‘We believe’: Canada confident ahead of FIFA World Cup opener in Qatar
Global News
Canada's soccer team is back in the World Cup for the first time since 1986 and it opens Wednesday against a daunting opponent: Belgium.
Many Canadian soccer fans have been waiting for this moment their entire lives.
Long an afterthought behind hockey in their home country, Canada’s soccer team is back in the World Cup for the first time since 1986 and it opens Wednesday against a daunting opponent: Belgium, a 2018 semifinalist and second in the FIFA rankings.
“We don’t hope no more, we believe,” Canada midfielder Jonathan Osorio said. “And we’re very confident in ourselves.”
Canada’s only prior trip to soccer’s showcase was a scoreless, three-loss performance 36 years ago against France, Hungary and the Soviet Union, with a squad that included Bob Lenarduzzi, Tino Lettieri and Branko Segota.
These Canadians are led by a new generation headed by Alphonso Davies, Jonathan David and Cyle Larin. They finished first in CONCACAF qualifying, a turnaround engineered by John Herdman. He coached the Canadan women to bronze medals in the 2012 and ’16 Olympics, then switched to the men in 2018.
“I think in qualifying we played in a way where we were fearless and we want to do that on the biggest stage,” midfielder Samuiel Piette said. “We don’t want to back down. We want to be on the front foot and go toe to toe with Belgium.”
Part of a Group F that includes Croatia and Morocco, Belgium is in its seventh year under coach Roberto Martinez. The Red Devils finished third at the 2018 World Cup and lost to Italy in the quarterfinals of last year’s European Championship.
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