Oh, Canada! Punters Guide to FIFA World Cup Qualifiers

The Canadian national team is standing on the brink of qualification to the World Cup for just the second time in their history. It has been a long wait for fans, as they last saw their national side compete at the highest level back in 1986.  Is this the campaign when the Canadian side comes of age and finally manages to book a place back at the World Cup at the ninth time of asking?

Canadian Team News Head Of Qualifiers

John Herdman will have a near fully-fit squad to select from for the three remaining qualifiers. Cyle Larin and Jonathan David, who have scored 12 goals and nine goals, respectively in qualifying have both been named in the squad for the fianl three fixtures. However, Alphonso Davies is the big name missing as he continues to recover from a heart muscle issue.

Costa Rica vs Canada

The first chance that Canada will have to book their passage through to the FIFA World Cup comes on Thursday evening, as they travel to Costa Rica. This is certainly not the easiest fixture that they have remaining, as the hosts will also be looking for vital points to overtake Panama and finish in a playoff spot.  The team from the 'Great White North' are the Canadian punters’ favourite to qualify for the FIFA World Cup based on points already on the board. The Canada soccer team currently has 25 points from the eleven games played, and are the only side in the third round that are yet to lose a game. That gives Canada a four-point advantage over both the United States and Mexico, who also clash on Thursday.

The advantage that Canada has means that a number of results could assure their progression if they aren’t able to get the win on the road. Should Canada draw, then a Panama draw or defeat against Honduras will also ensure their passage. Another possible method with the Canada draw is Mexico getting a win or drawing against the United States. The final method to book Canada’s progression doesn’t involve the Reds, as their progression would be assured regardless of their result should Panama draw or lose against Honduras and Mexico beat the United States.

Canada vs Jamaica

Should we get to the penultimate round of fixtures in World Cup soccer qualification, then the tension will be high at BMO Field in Toronto.  The fixture against Jamaica is likely the easiest on paper, as the visitors have picked up just one win from the eleven games that they have played in qualification. That victory was picked up against Honduras, who sit bottom of the standings.  There will be a carnival-like atmosphere in Toronto on Sunday afternoon regardless of whether qualification is assured or not come the game. If Canada’s place isn’t already assured by Sunday, we have no doubt that they will get the win they need against Jamaica to make history and reach the World Cup in Qatar.

In all likelihood, Canada’s progression should already be assured by this point as they have picked up wins in their previous six games, which includes wins against both the United States and Mexico at home. However, the skeptics will still be concerned, given that Canada’s last dropped points in qualification came with a 0-0 draw against Jamaica last October.

Panama vs Canada

Canadian fans will be hoping that progression through to the World Cup is wrapped up before the final matchday. Otherwise, there will be a very nervy showdown against the one side that could replace them in the automatic spots. Panama is currently sitting in the playoff spot, but face a daunting task against the United States before a home game against Canada.  History certainly favours Canada, as Panama has lost to the United States in four of the previous five matches, and defeat for the side currently fourth in that fixture would seal Canada’s place in the World Cup. 

Should the unlikely happen and Canada need a result to get through to the World Cup, then confidence will be high that they have the required quality to edge through. Canada has lost just once in 15 previous meetings against Panama, and are unbeaten in their previous five.  Confidence would also be taken from the 4-1 win that they recorded against their opponents on the final matchday in October of last year.  This punter feels that an outright bet on Canada to qualify is a pretty safe wager at any of the True North Casinos top sportsbooks!

Canada shouldn’t worry ahead of their final three games, as the long wait to return to the global stage almost certainly looks like it will be coming to an end.