It’s gameday: Previewing CanMNT vs. Qatar

The GIST: As you saw above, Group B is wide open with both games thus far ending in a 1–1 draw. Today’s match against Qatar, widely considered the weakest team in the group, is a prime opportunity for Canada to snag three points and jump to the top.

❓ What did we learn from Les Rouges’ opening match?: After falling behind 1–0 in the first half, which included a squandered chance from striker Jonathan David, Canada’s super sub Cyle Larin scored a 78th minute goal to level the score and silence his haters.

• Larin’s strike helped Canada finally relax and play the aggressive, free flowing soccer head coach (HC) Jesse Marsch is known for — but then the whistle blew. Fingers crossed for that urgency straight from kickoff against Qatar; Marsch says the goals are coming, after all.

👀 The pressure’s on for a dub. Here’s who we’re counting on to help get the job done:

• 🔴 Ismaël Koné | Midfielder: Koné’s creative playmaking kept Canada in the mix in their opener — he might just be the most important CanMNT player on the roster right now.

• ⚪ Cyle Larin | Striker: Was Larin’s goal enough to earn him a spot in the starting lineup or will he remain Marsch’s not-so-secret second-half weapon?

• ⚫ Promise David | Striker: David assisted Larin’s goal and, back in May, made the brazen declaration that he’d score a WC goal in Vancouver. Tick tock.

❗ Of note: Alphonso Davies is available for selection today, but is unlikely to play unless Canada needs to score. In case of emergency, break glass bring in star power.

The GIST: Canada wasn’t the only country to record their first WC point on opening weekend — Qatar made their own history a mere 24 hours later. Here’s what you need to know about the Maroons.

😱 Qatar stunned Switzerland 1–1 last Saturday: The Gulf nation pulled off the unthinkable, netting an equalizer goal four minutes into second-half stoppage time to cap off a strong defensive game against a superior opponent.

• The highest ranked team in Group B, mighty Switzerland failed to capitalize on multiple scoring chances (something Canada understands intimately), giving Qatar just enough breathing room to tie the game with a rare counterattack. Sometimes one goal is all it takes.

👀 Here are the Qatari players who could give Canada some trouble:

• 🔴 Boualem Khoukhi | Center back: Qatar’s captain headed the ball that would ultimately deflect off Switzerland's Miso Muheim and land in the net. Heroic.

• ⚪ Mahmud Abunada | Goalkeeper: Abunada was busy in game one, making six saves against the Swiss to keep the Maroons’ hopes alive.

• ⚫ Akram Afif | Forward: Afif is Qatar’s top player, which earned him plenty of attention from the Swiss defense, but he was still able to create strong chances. Dangerous.

😅 Canada has the opportunity not only to win a WC game for the first time today, but to assert themselves against an inferior opponent and set the tone for the rest of their tourney — so long as they conquer their own Achilles’ heel and…score some goals. Two things are true:

• One: The Reds are not known for being aggressive, something HC Marsch has been actively trying to change since taking charge in May 2024.

• Two: CanMNT’s all-time leading goal scorer, striker Jonathan David, is in a bit of a drought for both club and country, having only scored eight goals for Juventus last season and not scoring internationally in open play since September 2025.

💪 To win today, Canada — and David in particular — need to come out strong. A dub would almost guarantee CanMNT a spot in the knockouts, but beyond that, this match presents a stellar chance to prove they deserve to move on and that they’re an international team to be reckoned with. Fingers crossed they meet the moment.