With the 2026 FIFA World Cup looming, soccer coach Guy Poirier and fan Andy McAnally believe Canada have a good chance of progressing out of the group stages.
The World Cup – which only happens once every four-years – is a chance that doesn’t come around so often. Nations that play in one tournament, may not qualify for the next one. However, for the 2026 host nations – Canada, Mexico and the USA – the trio will be hoping to perform on the biggest stage.
“I’m sure the Canadian team will do as well as it can, but they’ll be up against stiff competition,” said Andy McAnally who is owns a home food store in Humboldt, Saskatchewan.
Although McAnally believes that Canada has a good chance of getting out of its group, he added that these games won’t be easy.
Canada – who have only ever played in two World Cups – qualified for the first time in 36 years when playing in the last tournament. Its first ever appearance was in 1986 where they finished bottom of their group, with zero wins, and zero goals. While its second outing was in the previous World Cup in Qatar 2022, where it once again finished at the bottom with zero wins, but managed to score two goals.
“Canada definitely has a little bit of an easier group this time, and it will be looking to progress to the next round,’’ said Guy Poirier who is the associate dean of construction at Red River College Polytechnic.
In its previous appearance, Canada was placed in a group with Morocco, Croatia and Belgium. However, this time around the country will be playing Qatar, Switzerland, and potentially either Italy or Northern Ireland.
Poirier, who has coached recreational football at the under nines level up until the under-18s, said the team could either finish bottom again or cause an upset.
“History hasn’t favoured us (Canada) in the slightest, however, I think the team will have learned a lot from its last outing,” Poirier said.
When asked who McAnally is most nervous to face, he said that Switzerland or Italy will be Canada’s toughest tests.
“Switzerland are always a dark horse at major tournaments, and it could very well win that group,” he said.
McAnally who is originally from Northern Ireland, said he is excited at the possibly of cheering for his home nation alongside Canada.
“I would love it if both of my countries do well, but I think if Canada can get out of the group stages, that would be phenomenal (for the country),” said McAnally.
Alongside Switzerland and potentially Northern Ireland or Italy, Poirier said that Italy should not be underestimated if it qualifies.
“Italy are tricky because although it hasn’t been doing well in recent years, it should be taken seriously given its successes in this competition before,” he said.
Poirier also said that the experience of playing in this competition might prove to be the deciding factor in who progresses and who does not. He added that Italy is a wining nation and are historically built for tournament style soccer.
Both men said that Canada has a tough task ahead of this summer, but how the competition has a history of causing upsets, and that the country will be hoping to put on a show.
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Photo provided by Abby Konaz:
Description: Canada versus Costa Rica in 2021 friendly match
