The only way for the Maple Leafs is up and here are the players who will help their cause
It's Canada's first World Cup appearance since 1986, when they lost all three group games without scoring a single goal.
Making it through from the qualifiers after a 36-year wait, finishing ahead of the likes of traditional CONCACAF giants Mexico and the United States in the final round was proof of what they are capable of.
Now in Group F alongside Belgium, Croatia and Morocco, nobody would be more motivated to beat the odds than John Herdman's side.
Can Alphonso Davies and Co. rise above expectations and make it out of the group stage this time around? Time will tell!
Here are the 26 players who will make the trip to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar
ALSO READ: World Cup 2022 Group F: Fixtures, results, standings, squads & full details
- Getty
GOALKEEPERS
Milan Borjan seems to be the front-runner for the No.1 jersey, with the shot stopper proving to be a reliable option between the sticks at Red Star Belgrade.
Maxime Crepeau of Los Angeles FC is a household name in MLS but cannot make it to Qatar because of a broken leg, so Dayne St. Clair of Minnesota United FC and James Pantemis (CF Montreal) are called up.
|
Name
|
Club
|
|
Milan Borjan
|
Red Star Belgrade
|
|
Dayne St. Claire
|
Minnesota United
|
|
Jayson Leutwiler
|
Oldham Athletic
|
Advertisement
- Getty Images
DEFENDERS
Alphonso Davies is arguably the star name in Canada's list of defensive options, but the Bayern Munich ace has often featured higher up the pitch while on international duty and was actually named as a forward when the squad was announced.
That offers an opportunity to the likes of Alistair Johnston, Sam Adekugbe, Kamal Miller, Steven Vitoria, and Richie Laryea, who all have plenty of experience and will be confident of getting the nod.
|
Name
|
Club
|
|
Alphonso Davies
|
Bayern Munich
|
|
Steven Vitoria
|
Chaves
|
|
Sam Adekugbe
|
Hatayspor
|
|
Richie Laryea
|
Toronto FC
|
|
Alistair Johnston
|
CF Montreal
|
|
Kamal Miller
|
CF Montreal
|
|
Derek Cornelius
|
Panetolikos
|
|
Joel Waterman
|
CF Montreal
|
- (C)Getty Images
MIDFIELDERS
Canada's all-time most-capped international Atiba Hutchinson (97) missed the September internationals due to injury, as did Jonathan Osorio, but both have made it to Qatar.
Working his way into the starting XI in Porto's Champions League games against Atletico Madrid and Club Brugge, Stephen Eustaquio definitely brings a lot to the table.
Colorado Rapids' Mark-Anthony Kaye is a versatile option to have in the side, as is Reading's Junior Hoilett.
Samuel Piette also got the nod, while promising youngster Ismael Kone has also been impressing.
|
Name
|
Club
|
|
Samuel Piette
|
CF Montreal
|
|
Mark-Anthony Kaye
|
Toronto FC
|
|
Stephen Eustaquio
|
Porto
|
|
Ismael Kone
|
CF Montreal
|
|
Atiba Hutchinson
|
Besiktas
|
|
Liam Fraser
|
Deinze
|
|
Jonathan Osorio
|
Toronto FC
|
|
David Wotherspoon
|
St Johnstone
|
|
Junior Hoilett
|
Reading
|
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
- Getty Images
ATTACKERS
Attack is arguably Canada's strongest area, with Jonathan David being one of the game's most exciting young attackers and Cyle Larin also a clinical goalscorer.
Tajon Buchanan has impressed at Belgian champions Club Brugge, while Ike Ugbo came through the ranks at Chelsea.
Lucas Cavallini, meanwhile, is one of his country's top 10 all-time top goal scorers.
|
Name
|
Club
|
|
Cyle Larin
|
Club Brugge
|
|
Jonathan David
|
Lille
|
|
Lucas Cavallini
|
Vancouver Whitecaps
|
|
Tajon Buchanan
|
Club Brugge
|
|
Liam Millar
|
Basel
|
|
Ike Ugbo
|
Troyes
|
