WORLD CUP 2022
Canada’s possible starting lineup for game 1 of the group’s stage vs. Belgium
Who will start for the Canadian football national team in their inaugural match of the Qatar FIFA World Cup against Belgium on Tuesday.
The biggest star of the Canadian team and Bayern Munich player Alphonso Davies stays uncertain for Canada’s World Cup opener versus Belgium on Wednesday after he went off with a thigh issue for the Bavarian side two weeks ago.
It could be a massive concern for the national team manager John Herdman because Davies has evolved into a valuable asset for his side not just because of his top-level quality but because he is so versatile.
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With Alphonso Davis out of the action, this situation will guarantee openings for both Cyle Larin and Jonathan David as a striking duo. The Club Bruges’ Larin is Canada’s football team record goalscorer. At the same time, David was involved in more goal contributions than appearances for his country, so both represent a significant threat to Belgium.
Canada’s opening game will also be a jubilee for their captain and Besiktas man, Atiba Hutchinson, who is set to win his 99th cap for Canada and will become one of the oldest World Cup players of all time at 39 years of age. Almost twenty years since he made his international debut, he will now finally get the chance to play at a major tournament, and he will do so as captain.
Red Star Belgrade man Milan Borjan will start as the goalkeeper after Maxime Crepeau shattered his leg in the MLS Cup final recently, so sadly, he will miss the entire tournament.
Canada’s possible starting lineup:
Goalkeeper: Borjan;
Defense: Laryea, Johnston, Steven Vitoria, K Miller, Adekugbe;
Center: Buchanan, Hutchinson, Eustaquio;
Attack: David, Larin