Canada faces Qatar in their second Group B clash at the 2026 World Cup, and the co-hosts will hope to make history with a victory that would likely be enough to ensure progression to the knockout rounds.
Jesse Marsch’s team came from behind to draw 1-1 with Bosnia-Herzegovina in their first match of the tournament and earn their first point in the World Cup.
However, given the intensity with which they played and the superiority they displayed over long periods, Canada could consider themselves unlucky not to have claimed their first World Cup victory in Toronto.
They will be the favorites to achieve that feat in west Vancouver, although Marsch and his team will be wary of the resilience Qatar showed in pulling off a surprise draw with Switzerland.
Switzerland took 26 shots on goal in that match, but the floodgates did not open after they took the lead through a Breel Embolo penalty, with an own goal in stoppage time giving Qatar a point.
The Gulf team is also seeking its first World Cup victory, and Canadian defender Luc de Fougerolles knows they must be more ruthless to deny Qatar that achievement.
“Us [are] fine-tune finishing in training,” de Fougerolles said.
“We create opportunities [against Bosnia]. The next step is to kill those opportunities and end the game. “I am sure we will accept more.”
World Cup 2026: Canada-Qatar team news
Alphonso Davies (hamstring) and Moise Bombito (leg) remain doubts for Canada. Qatar has no injury problems heading into the match.
Predicted lineups for the Canada-Qatar 2026 World Cup
Canada: crepe; Johnston, De Fougerolles, Cornelius, Laryea; Buchanan, Eustaquio, Kone, Millar; J. David, Larín
Qatar: Abunada; Al-Oui, Miguel, Khoukhi, H. Ahmed; Gaber, Laye; Junior, Madibo, Afif; Ali
Where to watch Canada v Qatar: TV channel, live streams online
Canada v Qatar starts on Thursday at 11:00pm UK time. You can watch it on ITV1. It can be transmitted through ITVX application. Sky subscribers can also stream the game via Sky Go.
World Cup 2026: Canada vs Qatar statistics
- Canada and Qatar have only met once before, in a friendly in Vienna in September 2022. Canada won 2-0.
- Canada has not lost in Vancouver since a World Cup qualifier against Mexico in March 2016.
- The co-hosts have won their last four games in Vancouver, scoring 17 goals and conceding just two.
- Only one Qatari player has scored a goal in the World Cup, and the equalizer against Switzerland came via an own goal.
World Cup 2026: Canada-Qatar prediction
Canada was unlucky not to get the three points against Bosnia. They should fix that in this one.
Prediction: Canada 2-0 Qatar
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