Canada
Pedigree Canada’s relief and delight at qualifying for its first World Cup since 1986 should not be confused with contentment to travel to Qatar just to make up the numbers. John Herdman’s team sailed through a qualifying process that the U.S. and Mexico found particularly fraught.
The Stars Two players stand out from the generation that ended Canada’s wait: Alphonso Davies, likely already the finest player the country has ever produced, and the forward Jonathan David. The rest of the squad, though, should not be lightly dismissed: Stephen Eustaquio, Tajon Buchanan and Cyle Larin are all thriving in the Champions League.
Key Question There was precious little romance in the group stage draw — Canada has every reason to feel a little harshly treated by fate — but if Herdman can find a way to unleash Davies and David, in particular, Canada may trouble all three of its illustrious opponents.
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