For the first time since 1986, the Canadian Men’s National Team is heading to the World Cup.
The home side thrashed a thoroughly outmatched Jamaican side 4-0 on a blustery winter day to officially punch their ticket to Qatar 2022. The Canadians ran their CONCACAF qualifying record to 8-4-1 to clinch one of the WC positions within their group.
Sitting at 28pts, the Men’s National Team is 3pts clear of the US and Mexico (each with 7-4-2 records for 25pts), and 6pts clear of 4th place Costa Rica. The top 3 teams in the group are guaranteed spots at the World Cup, with subsequent teams needing to win a playoff to earn the final allocation.
Coach John Herdman told reporters after the game “I think this country, they never believed in us. Because we’ve given them nothing to believe in. They believe now… And I think if we all get behind each other, this is the time for everyone to get behind football and unite. Because we can be a powerhouse. And it’s time.”
Herdman took over the Men’s National Team program in 2018 at a time when success on the world stage was a distant memory for the squad. Since then, the Canadian side has rocketed up the FIFA rankings, and earned the “Most Improved Side” award for their exploits in 2021.
Originally from Consett, England, the 46 year old has guided Canada to a 29-4-7 record since January 8th 2018. That mark is good for a 72.5% winning percentage and is arguably the best stretch on the international stage the men’s side has ever enjoyed.
In front of a sellout crowd of 29,122 at Toronto’s BMO Field Sunday, the home side cruised to victory with a comfortable 4-0 win that could have been even more lopsided had the Red & White converted on some of their missed opportunities. By the time kickoff rolled around it felt like -14C with the wind chill.
Luckily, Cyle Larin didn’t keep the crowd waiting long before opening the scoring at the 13th minute. From there Tajon Buchanan (44’), Junior Hollett (82’) and Adrian Mariappa (88’ OG) piled on insurance markers as the second half turned into a prolonged celebration 36 years in the making.
The Canadian men are now up to 33rd in the FIFA world rankings, which marks the highest the program has ever been listed. Canada joins host Qatar, Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Croatia, Denmark, Ecuador, England, France, Germany, Iran, Japan, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland and Uruguay as teams who have already qualified for the World Cup. 12 spots remain in the 32 team event slated for November in Qatar.
Canada wraps up qualifying play Wednesday in Panama in a game that’s merely a formality for the Canadian side.