For the second time in its history, Canada qualified for a soccer World Cup. The only time it happen was in 1986 when the Canadians were drawn into a group together with the Soviet Union, Italy and Hungary.
At the time, they finished rock bottom, with 3 defeats in 3 games, so they are expecting this return to go slightly better.
However, they have been given a tough draw in this World Cup. Belgium is led by a golden generation that includes Kevin de Bruyne and Eden Hazard and they will be a headache for the Maple Leaf.
Plus, 2018 finalists Croatia, who have an incredible midfield, captained by 5 times Champions League and 2018 Ballon D’Or winner Luka Modric.
Finally, another underdog: Morocco. At first, it might seem they are harmless, but when you see that they boost players like Hakimi and Ziyech in their ranks there is even an argument that the Moroccans have enough firepower to contend for a place in the next round.
Here is everything you should know about Qatar World Cup 2022 Group F.
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Which star will shine? βοΈ #FinalDraw | #FIFAWorldCup
π§πͺ @BelRedDevils | π¨π¦ @CanadaSoccerEN | π²π¦ @EnMaroc | ππ· @HNS_CFF pic.twitter.com/N1LQ1jy6Sj
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) April 3, 2022
QATAR WORLD CUP 2022 GROUP F CALENDAR:
23 November 2022: Morocco – Croatia
23 November 2022: Belgium – Canada
27 November 2022: BelgiumΒ – Morocco
27 November 2022: Croatia – Canada
1 December 2022: Croatia – Belgium
1 December 2022: Canada – MoroccoΒ Β
BELGIUM
Belgium has often been one of the favorite teams to win major tournaments, but they have never been successful.
The Belgians had a strong showing at Euro 2020, winning all three of their group matches. However, they were eventually ousted by Italy, who shortly became the new European champions after eliminating the reigning champion Portugal.
Belgium competed in Group E of the World Cup qualifiers, winning 6 games and drawing 2 against nations like Wales and the Czech Republic.
In what will be their fourteenth World Cup appearance, Belgium has what could be their last chance to win a major tournament with this current gold group including players like Eden Hazard (Real Madrid), Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City) and goalkeeper Courtois (Real Madrid).
ClutchBuzz odds price them as the favorites to win the group at -200.
Belgium World Cup Possible Starting 11
Coach: Roberto Martinez
Belgium World Cup Squad:
Roberto Martinez announced the 26 players for Belgium’s World Cup squad on the 10th of November.
CANADA
After an outstanding showing by the Canadian team in the qualifiers, Canada will participate in their second World Cup. This is a deserved award for The Maple Leafs, as they have one of the best generations in years.
Canada won all four games in the first round, moving on to the second round where they easily defeated Haiti 3-0. The Canadians then won 8 games, drew 4, and lost 2, finishing first in the group, ahead of other North American teams Mexico and USA.
Thus, qualifying for the World Cup for the first time since 1986. They are managed by the Englishman John Herdman and are characterized by the influx of a new generation of talents.
This includes players that have Champions League experience, like Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich), Jonathan David (Lille), and Stephen Eustaquio (FC Porto).
Besides those, this will be the first and (most likely) last World Cup presence for Atiba Hutchinson, Canada’s captain, who plays in Besiktas.Β
ClutchBuzz odds price them to win the group at -200.
Canada World Cup Possible Starting 11
Coach: John Herdman
MOROCCO
Currently regarded as the 22nd-best national team in the world, Morocco will be competing in their sixth World Cup.
Morocco won all six games in group I, scoring 20 goals while only giving up one.Β
With a final score of 5-2, Morocco defeated Congo in the third round and qualified for the World Cup.
Morocco was knocked out of the most recent CAN (Cup of African Nations) by Egypt, 2-1, in the quarterfinals.
Players like Sofiane Boufal (Angers), Hakim Ziyech (Chelsea), and even Amine Harit (Marseille) are part of Morocco’s offensive threat. Achraf Hakimi, one of the top right-backs in the world, must not be overlooked (PSG).
ClutchBuzz odds price them to win the group at +1000.
Morocco World Cup Possible Starting 11:
Coach: Walid Regragui
Morocco World Cup Squad:
The 26 players that will represent Morocco were announced on the 10th of November.
Goalkeepers: Yassine Bounou, Munir, Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti
Defenders: Achraf Hakimi, Noussair Mazraoui, Romain Saiss, Nayef Aguerd, Achraf Dari, Jawad El-Yamiq, Yahia Attiat-Allal, Badr Benoun
Midfielders: Sofyan Amrabat, Selim Amallah, Abdelhamid Sabiri, Azzedine Ounahi, Bilel El Khanouss, Yahya Jabrane
Forwards: Hakim Ziyech, Youssef En-Nesyri, Sofiane Boufal, Zakaria Aboukhlal, Ez Abde, Amine Harit, Ilias Chair, Abderrazak Hamdallah, Walid Cheddira
CROATIA
The Croatian soccer team has grown to be one of the best in Europe. The FIFA ranking has them in position 12 right now and rightfully so, especially after what happened 4 years ago.
Croatia managed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup and had an amazing tournament, overcoming their best result ever, which was third place (in 1998). Unfortunately, they were defeated by the reigning world champions France.
Croatia competed in group H to qualify for the sixth World Cup and won it with 7 wins, 2 ties, and 1 loss.
Quality players like Perisic (Tottenham), Kramaric (Hoffenheim), Orsic (Dinamo Zagreb), and Kovacic (Chelsea) will assist Real Madrid’s and Croatia’s star player Luka Modric.
Modric won the Ballon D’Or in 2018 and even though he is 37 years old he still plays like a magician in the midfield. Luka will captain his national team in what should be his last major tournament for the ‘Vatreni’.
ClutchBuzz odds price them to win the group at +275.
Croatia World Cup Possible Starting 11
Coach: Zlatko Dalic
Croatia World Cup Squad
On the 9th of November, coach Zlatko Dalic announced the 26 players that will be going to the World Cup from Croatia. Here are his choices.
Goalkeepers:Β Dominik Livakovic (Dinamo Zagreb), Ivica Ivusic, Ivo Grbic (Atl. Madrid)
Final Thoughts
We predict that Belgium and Croatia will go through on level points, with Belgium edging Croatia on goal difference.
The one who can cause a surprise in this group is Morocco. They were near doing it in 2018 when they were in a group with Iran, Portugal, and Spain and managed 1 win and 1 draw against ‘La Roja’.
Spain and Portugal would move to the next stage with 5 points each, but they were twice with a foot in the next stage, being ahead in their final match with Spain twice.
Therefore, the two European teams in this group might be favorites, but Morocco can cause a surprise.
Canada, however, is unlikely to progress. Even though they have probably their best generation of talents ever, they still lack some experience at this level.
Nonetheless, since the 2026 World Cup will be co-hosted between the USA, Canada, and Mexico, they will have another chance in four years to compete and thus this experience in Qatar will be very useful to give pedigree to the Canadians and increase the sentiment of support for the national team in Canada.
Credits on Featured Image: Tasnim News Agency,Β CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
