Belgium and Canada will square up this Wednesday at Al Rayyan in their first group stage game of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Venue: Ahmad bin Ali Stadium (Al Rayyan)
Key Statistics
Belgium are one of six teams to have gone through a World Cup unbeaten without winning the tournament, doing so in 1998 when they drew all three group games.
The Red Devils have kept just two clean sheets in their last 13 competitive games.
Canada has kept four clean sheets in their last ten games.
Five of Canada’s last six games produced exactly two first-half goals (HT: W2, D2, L2).
Head to head
This is Belgium’s second-ever meeting with Canada after a 2-0 friendly victory back in 1989.
Latest performances in all competitions
Belgium: L-L-W-W-D
Canada: W-D-L-W-L
Belgium
It’s the last chance saloon for Belgium and their famed golden generation in international football as they begin their journey in Qatar this Wednesday.
The talented Red Devil’s side are fast running out of time to claim international glory together, so they’ll hope Friday’s 2-1 friendly defeat to Egypt isn’t a sign of things to come.
After finishing third in the 2018 World Cup, the number two ranked team in FIFA rankings must improve on that Egypt display or they risk going three matches without a win for the first time since March 2014 after an underwhelming UEFA Nations League campaign (W3, D1, L2).
To do that, they will have to rekindle the form that saw them stroll through their World Cup qualifying group unbeaten (W6, D2). A repeat of their 2-0 win over Canada in their only ever head-to-head meeting would be welcomed by Belgium boss, Roberto Martínez. It would also wrap up a hat-trick of World Cup group-opening victories for the Red Devils.
Possible Belgium starting line-up
Thibaut Courtois, Zeno Debast, Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen, Timothy Castagne, Youri Tielemans, Axel Witsel, Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco, Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard, Michy Batshuayi.
Injured: None
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Canada
While Belgium’s golden generation is struggling to lay hold of international trophies, Canada’s golden generation has already made the nation proud by qualifying for their first FIFA World Cup final since 1986.
So they arrive in Qatar with slight pressure, having already secured their place in history by making it to Qatar.
However, they will still want to make the most of this opportunity and will be desperate for a positive start in Al Rayyan.
Topping the CONCACAF final qualification group ahead of Mexico and USA (W8, D4, L2) shows that John Herdman’s side deserves to be taken seriously, and they’ll be looking to put down a marker ahead of their country co-hosting the tournament in 2026.
However, the Canucks produced their best performances during that final stage of qualifying at home, only beating lowly El Salvador and Honduras away from home (D3, L2). So they may struggle in the unfamiliar surroundings of Qatar.
Possible Canada starting line-up
Milan Borjan, Alastair Johnston, Kamal Miller, Steven Vitoria, Taejon Buchanan, Stephen Eustaquio, Atiba Hutchinson, Sam Adekugbe, Junior Hoilett, Alphonso Davies, Jonathan David.
Injured: None
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Odds
| Belgium to win | Draw | Canada to win | |
| Odds | 1.50 | 4.33 | 6.50 |
| Probability (%) | 63 | 22 | 15 |
Prediction
Belgium 2-0 Canada
Live Stream
For details, FIFA Qatar World Cup 2022 – TV Broadcast / Live Stream
