Preview: Canada and Qatar look to build on positive start to Group B | OneFootball

Canada and Qatar meet in Vancouver tonight, looking to pick up three points which could be crucial in their bids to reach the World Cup knockout stages.

Jesse Marsch may have been disappointed his Canada side failed to take all three points from their opening game against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto. They put forward a spirited display and created multiple quality chances that on another day would’ve been converted. A sloppy goal from a set-piece meant that Cyle Larin’s goal was just the equaliser.

Still they did make history in attaining their first ever point at the World Cup finals and will be hoping to all but guarantee a place in the knockout rounds for the first time in their history with a win over Qatar.

While he missed a big chance in the first half of that game, Juventus striker Jonathan David was bright and showed a lot of positive sings in his cameo. There is also the fact that full-back and the side’s best player Alphonso Davies didn’t feature at all due to still recovering from a hamstring injury sustained earlier on this season.

Their opponents made history of their own in a shock result against Switzerland in a blistering San Francisco heat, after falling behind to a very controversial Breel Embolo penalty in the early stages of the game. The Qatari’s rallied and defended valiantly as Switzerland could not come up with an answer.

They were rewarded for their hard work with one of the last kicks of the game when Miro Muheim headed into his own net in what is surely Qatar’s greatest ever footballing moment as they took their first every point at the World Cup.

After an embarrassing display as the hosts four years ago, Julen Lopetegui’s side looked a much more assured and serious outfit this time round.

Canada and Qatar have met once before where the North American’s defeated the Middle-Easterners 2-0 in Austria 2022, there is hope that, like last time, they can call upon the experience and quality of their greatest export in Alphonso Davies who Marsch has said is close to full fitness following an extended rest.

Qatar have the chance to defeat a side from North America for the first time since 2023 where they took down Mexico in the Gold Cup. A victory over Canada would be a huge shock and one that would surely take the Qataris through to the next round given the aforementioned lenient group stage rulings this year.

That would make them the first side from the middle-east to reach the knockout rounds of the World Cup, that is despite strong efforts from Iran and Iraq in previous tournaments.

Canada’s hero last week Cyle Larin is tied with Jonathan Osorio for second in the all-time appearance chart for the North Americans and the Southampton man will be keen to mark a historic day with another huge goal for Canada at this World Cup.

Qatar will have an appearance milestone of their own in Pedro Miguel who could reach the milestone of his 100th senior cap for his country, a huge milestone for the 35 year old defender. He will be hoping that after a special afternoon in San Francisco, they can again have a special evening again on the west-coast.

Kick-off is at 23:00 (BST) and 16:00 local time. It will be shown live in the UK on ITV.