Belgium vs Canada – Group Stage – Preview & Prediction | 2022 FIFA World Cup
THE FACTS
When is Belgium vs Canada on and what time does it start? Belgium vs Canada will take place on Wednesday 23rd November, 2022 – 19:00 (UK)
Where is Belgium vs Canada taking place? Belgium vs Canada will take place at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar
Where can I get tickets for Belgium vs Canada? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Belgium vs Canada
What channel is Belgium vs Canada on in the UK? Belgium vs Canada will be televised live on BBC
Where can I stream Belgium vs Canada in the UK? Belgium vs Canada can be streamed live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website & app
THE LOWDOWN
BELGIUM
- Belgium will have a big belief that they can enjoy a strong tournament but they have suffered back-to-back losses in their last two outings and the pressure will be on to get off to a good start here.
- The Belgians boast a very strong squad with a plethora of talent at their disposal but they have often flattered to deceive under Roberto Martinez and he may find it hard to get a tune out of his side without the injured Romelu Lukaku to lead the line.
CANADA
- Canada produced a brilliant achievement to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup with this set to be just the second time they have reached the showpiece event in their history on the back of last qualifying all the way back in 1986.
- The Canadians arrive in Qatar with just one defeat to their name in their last four matches and boast some superstar quality in the shape of Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David but the former is a huge injury doubt for this opening contest.
THE TEAM NEWS
BELGIUM
PREDICTED XI (3-4-2-1): Courtois; Alderwiereld, Debast, Theate; Carrasco, Tielemans, Witsel, Castagne; De Bruyne, Hazard; Batshuayi
UNAVAILABLE: Romelu Lukaku (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Jan Vertonghen (Injured), Thomas Meunier (Injured), Leandro Trossard (Injured)
CANADA
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Borjan; Johnston, Vitoria, Miller, Adekugbe; Buchanan, Hutchinson, Eustaquio, Hoilett; David, Larin
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE: Alphonso Davies (Injured), Stephen Eustaquio (Injured), Milan Borjan (Injured)
THE KEY STATS
- Belgium have not lost their opening match in their last six World Cup appearances (W4 D2). The last time they lost their opener was in 1986 against Mexico
- Belgium are unbeaten in their last 12 group stage matches at the FIFA World Cup (W7 D5), they have won seven in a row heading into this tournament, their last group stage defeat was remarkably all the way back in 1994 (L 1-0 vs Saudi Arabia)
- Belgium have won ten of their last 12 World Cup matches (L2)
- Belgium have not failed to score in their last 11 World Cup group stage matches, since a 0-0 draw vs the Netherlands in 1998
- Belgium have kept four clean sheets in their last five World Cup group stage matches
- 16 of Belgium’s squad have previously featured in a World Cup final tournament
- This will be Belgium’s 14th participation at the FIFA World Cup finals, only five European nations have more appearances
- Canada are participating in their second FIFA World Cup, 36 years after their debut appearance at the finals in 1986
- The Canadians lost all of their three matches in the group stage at Mexico 1986 without scoring a goal as they were defeated 1-0 by France in their opening match and then lost against both Hungary and the Soviet Union by two goals to nil
- Canada coach John Herdman is the first person to coach a team at both the men’s and women’s FIFA World Cup. He coached New Zealand and Canada previously at the Women’s World Cup
- Atiba Hutchinson is the oldest outfield player at Qatar 2022. He was 39 years and 285 days old at the start of the tournament
THE PREDICTION
Belgium did a good job in the last FIFA World Cup but suffered heartbreak in the semi-finals as they lost out to eventual champions France. They will hope to go at least one better here but they will need to be a lot better than they have produced over the last few years. Canada are capable of producing a shock or two under head coach John Herdman but this looks like a tough matchup for them and Belgium should have the quality to prevail.
TIP: BELGIUM TO WIN
