● Oh Canada! The 2022 FIFA World Cup: A Canadian Return

Michael Aquilino English Journalist

The 2022 FIFA World Cup is now in full swing, and Canada is set to make its mark! After a nearly 40 year absence from what is perhaps the world’s premier athletic competition, Canada has returned to soccer’s biggest stage. Having last played at a World Cup in 1986, Canada’s first and only appearance, Canadian soccer fans, and most proud Canadians, have been eagerly awaiting this very moment, one long overdue. Held in Mexico (the first country to host the tournament twice), the 1986 edition, like most World Cups, was a true spectacle. It saw the legendary Diego Maradona and Argentina lift their second trophy in eight years at the expense of a defeated West Germany, divine interference (Maradona’s “Hand of God”), and a Canadian languish in the group stages. On September 14th, 1985, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, was witness to Canada’s qualification to Mexico after ousting Honduras 2-1. On June 1st, 1985, Canada would step onto a World Cup pitch for the very first time, with an immensely talented French side staring them down, led by their captain, Michel Platini. The hard-fought, intense match would result in a narrow 1-0 victory for the favoured French — a match that Canada had little to be ashamed about. Five days later, on June 6th, 1986, Canada would fall once more to a strong Hungarian side, losing 2-0. The Canucks’ last group stage game, against the now collapsed Soviet Union, did not take on a much different character. On June 9th, Canada would lose 2-0 yet again and would, without a point nor goal to its name, exit the tournament early. However, today marks the day that the Canadian legacy in international soccer can be rewritten! Today, Wednesday, November 23rd, 2022, Canada prepares to kick off group F’s World Cup campaign against Belgium at 2:00 p.m. EST. Under the bright lights of the Al Rayyan Stadium in Qatar, Canada looks to start a new chapter of its soccer history. Canada was remarkable in qualifying, which began on March 25th, 2021, showing that it may, perhaps, be a force to reckon with. Topping its CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football) qualification table, the Canadians finished with 14 wins, two losses, and four draws, in 20 matches played. Canada’s sensational road to Qatar included a historic, twenty years in the making, 2-1 win against soccer giant, Mexico, and a subsequent 2-0 triumph over cross-border rivals and World Cup regulars, the United States. Canadian qualification was secured on March 27th, 2022, when Canada, in front of a home crowd at BMO Field here in Toronto, taught Jamaica a 4-0 lesson. Ranked the 41st best team in the world, a considerable jump from its lowest ranking of 122nd, the Canadian men’s soccer team has a lot to be proud of — but there is also a lot more work to be done. Expectations are certainly high for this inspiring Canadian squad, heading into Qatar hoping to make some noise; however, such noise-making may not be as easy as CONCACAF qualifying may have made it appear. Not to say that their qualifying campaign was anything short of extraordinary, but the 2022 World Cup cages some much different, more menacing beasts. Drawn into a group with Belgium (ranked 2nd in the world, and boasting some of soccer’s biggest names), Croatia (ranked 12th in the world, having fallen to France in the 2018 World Cup Finals), and Morocco (ranked 22nd in the world, a skillful team not to be taken lightly), the boys bearing the maple leaf certainly have their work cut out for them. With the likes of Ottawa-raised Jonathan David (LOSC Lille), Edmontonraised Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich), and Brampton-native Tajon Buchanan (Club Brugge) at its helm, Canada may be in good hands. Nonetheless, Canada cannot, at any time, let its guard down, nor underestimate any opponent. Coming off a 2-2 draw with 85th-ranked Bahrain on November 11th, they must play full-throttle, and more fiercely than they ever have before. The teams that Canada will meet in the World Cup are unlike any that it has faced en route, and, should it stand any chance of success — whether it be a victory or merely a draw — it must be prepared. Canada thus must embody the passionate, spirited character that Canadians are known for, playing their hearts out until the final whistle. Canada has waited 36 years for the opportunity to participate on the global stage once more, and with that feat comes great responsibility. I wrote an article back in October of 2020 (which can be found here: https://www.protemgl.com/articles/ the-beautiful-game-canadas-time-toshine?rq=michael), that spoke on Canada’s unfortunate soccer history. I spoke about Canada’s rocky past and sole World Cup appearance, as well as lack of development and exposure of the sport to youth in the country. I also mentioned that there were signs pointing to a brighter future ahead, and that it would soon be Canada’s time to shine. Two years later, the time has finally come. The Canadian team will represent the entire country the moment it sets itself against Belgium today — a tremendous amount of pressure for anyone. Be that as it may, Canada has three games to shine and put it all out on the line, the next against Croatia on November 27th, and the last against Morocco on December 1st. The group stages are a starting point, and it is my sincere hope that Canada will make it through to the next round. From there, perhaps, Canada may begin dreaming of taking home sport’s most paramount prize — the FIFA World Cup. Good luck Canada!

Photo par ESPN.com