Back to the World Cup after 36 years
Canada succeeds where Italy failed
03/28/2022, 07:15 am
In 1986, Canada took part in a soccer World Cup for the first and only time, and then the long wait began. Now the country is celebrating its return to the World Cup stage. The USA will have to wait a little longer before they can finally book the tickets to Qatar.
A North American underdog manages where the European champions tearfully failed: Unlike Italy, who will surprisingly miss the World Cup for the second time in a row after a home playoff defeat against North Macedonia, Canada qualified for a World Cup for the second time in its football history. Bayern professional Alphonso Davies, who the team had to do without for weeks because of his heart muscle inflammation as a result of a corona infection, also wants to be there in Qatar in November. Without the 21-year-old, the team won 4-0 against Jamaica in the penultimate qualifying match day of the continental association Concacaf and has secured participation in the World Cup in Qatar at the end of the year. The only World Cup with Canada so far was the 1986 tournament in Mexico.
The USA and Mexico can almost plan for the trip to Qatar after victories, but still go into the last matchday on Wednesday with a residual risk. According to the current status, Costa Rica has to make the playoffs.
USA are practically through too
Davies, who intends to get back into full team training at FC Bayern Munich soon, followed the game on a screen and after the success published many jubilant photos and videos as well as congratulations on social networks. He wasn’t even born when Canada took part 36 years ago. Cyle Larin (13th minute) and Tajon Buchanan (44th) scored the two goals before half-time in Toronto to give the league leaders a reassuring lead. In the closing minutes, Junior Hoilett (82′) and Adrian Mariappa made it 4-0 with an own goal (88′).
The USA won an unchallenged 5-1 against Panama in Orlando. The outstanding man on the field was ex-Dortmund professional Christian Pulisic with three goals. Mexico won 1-0 against Honduras. With 25 points each, both selection teams have three points less than leaders Canada. Costa Rica follows in fourth place with 22 points.
In the qualifiers for North and Central America, the top three teams are guaranteed a ticket to the World Cup in Qatar. Fourth place has to go into the playoffs against a team from Oceania. Costa Rica and the USA meet on Wednesday. The USA clearly have the better goal difference and can also afford a defeat with less than six goals difference. Mexico have a goal difference three goals better than Costa Rica and play against El Salvador in the final.