Belgium v Canada: team news, preview and how to watch
Semi-finalists in Russia four years ago, Belgium have their sights set on going one step further at Qatar 2022™. Canada should provide them with a formidable initial challenge.
Belgium are eying a first international title at Qatar 2022™
Having finished third at Russia 2018™, Les Diables Rouges are a force to be reckoned with
Canada are keen to show that their new generation can compete with the best
Could this be the year? Often contenders but never victorious in recent international tournaments, Belgium finally appear ready to achieve their potential.
Roberto Martinez’s team certainly has the requisite talent to make that dream a reality, with big names in key positions and one of the best football brains on the planet in Kevin De Bruyne.
And while Les Diables Rouges can boast an incredible generation of players, they are also not getting any younger, and whether or not they still have enough spring in their step to go all the way in Qatar remains to be seen.
Some semblance of an answer may emerge in Wednesday’s clash with Canada, who finally stepped out of the shadow of Concacaf rivals United States and Mexico to qualify for the tournament in impressive fashion. Constantly improving, Alphonso Davies and his team mates are anxious to prove that they have not travelled to the Middle East to simply make up the numbers.
Wednesday 23 November, 22.00 Doha time
Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan
Belgium: Courtois; Dendoncker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen; Meunier, Witsel, Tielemans, Carrasco; De Bruyne, Eden Hazard; Batshuayi. Canada: Borjan; Johnston, Vitoria, Miller; Laryea, Eustaquio, Hutchinson, Adekugbe; Buchanan, Larin, David.
Belgium and Canada have not locked horns on a football pitch for over 30 years. Their one and only meeting came back in 1989, when the European side picked up a 2-0 victory in a friendly in Ottawa.
The indisputable star of the Belgian national team, Kevin De Bruyne has been in sparkling form for his club. The Manchester City midfielder has shot to the top of the English Premier League assists chart by setting up his team-mates nine times this season already, and he has added three goals of his own for good measure.
Over the past three seasons, De Bruyne has been named Premier League Player of the Season twice.
Canada are taking part in just their second World Cup, having first appeared on football’s greatest stage at Mexico 1986. Despite failing to qualify in 2000 and 2006, Belgium will still be making their 14th World Cup appearance in Qatar.
John Herdman, Canada coach : “Belgium are one of the five nations that can win the World Cup. Given the quality of the team, and the great individuals they have like De Bruyne, Courtois and Witsel, I don’t think that self-doubt will be a problem for them.”
Roberto Martinez, Belgium coach : “This team’s greatest strength is definitely the way in which the players understand each other and the joy they get from being part of the group.
"Don’t forget that there are high expectations of this team, and that’s not an easy thing to handle. I get the impression that the players – those who play abroad for their clubs – like being Belgian football ambassadors.”
Martinez | We have to savour this generation Belgium | Five players to watch Martinez | Hazard is in the best period of his career Belgium | Most memorable FIFA World Cup goals Canada | Out to shock the sport Herdman | Canada must find an X factor in Qatar Canada | Five players to watch