Canada World Cup 2022 squad list, fixtures and latest odds

John Herdman believes his Canada side proved they belong at the World Cup after they outshone Belgium only to slip to a narrow defeat.

Michy Batshuayi hit the only goal of the game as a lacklustre Belgium, ranked second in the world, began Group F with a barely-deserved 1-0 win.

Canada – 39 places lower than Belgium in the rankings – had earlier missed a penalty as Alphonso Davies' tame effort was saved by Thibaut Courtois before they were potentially denied two further first-half spot-kicks.

Playing in their first World Cup in 36 years, Canada more than held their own and had 21 shots on goal compared to nine from Belgium.

Englishman Herdman guided Les Rouges back to the world stage following a fine qualification campaign - becoming the first coach to manage at both the men's and women's World Cups.

"They showed tonight that they do belong here," he said.

"It has been a long time since we have been back, our fans were football fans, they really tried to own the stadium tonight.

"They (the fans) walked away proud I'm sure, proud and feeling like we are a footballing nation. We came into the game with a couple of goals, the first was to play fearless and the second goal was to entertain.

"We had some other goals - to create some firsts, but we never got to those moments. I think at times it was one pass too many around the box. I'm not going to criticise them because when you outshoot Belgium I can't complain too much.

"Sometimes it is your night and sometimes it is not. They made a commitment to themselves before they went out there tonight."

Now sitting 41st in Fifa's rankings, the team has also benefitted from the inauguration of a Canadian Premier League.

Herdman's side has just one match to play – an international friendly with Japan on November 17  – before getting their World Cup campaign under way against Belgium on November 23. Speaking recently, Herdman said: "This is the time for everyone to get behind football and unite because we can be a powerhouse."

Powerhouse or not, Canada will be the only team at the World Cup without a new shirt, something that their kit provider, Nike, has blamed on "a different development cycle".

Canada World Cup 2022 squad

Canada, led by captain Atiba Hutchinson, are a versatile blend of youth and experience, with Herdman not shying away from promoting young talents: Alistair Johnston, who plays for Montréal, has played almost every minute of qualification, only two years after playing at collegiate level.

Goalkeepers: Milan Borjan (Red Star Belgrade), James Pantemis (CF Montreal), Dayne St. Clair (Minnesota United)

Defenders: Sam Adekugbe (Hatayspor), Derek Cornelius (Panetolikos), Alistair Johnston (CF Montreal), Richie Laryea (Nottingham Forrest), Kamal Miller (CF Montreal), Steven Vitoria (Chaves), Joel Waterman (CF Montreal)

Midfielders: Stephen Eustaquio (FC Porto), Liam Fraser (Deinze), Atiba Hutchinson (Besiktas), Mark-Anthony Kaye (Toronto FC), Ismael Kone (CF Montreal), Jonathan Osorio (Toronto FC), Samuel Piette (CF Montreal), David Wotherspoon (St. Johnstone)

Forwards: Tajon Buchanan (Club Brugge), Lucas Cavallini (Vancouver Whitecaps), Jonathan David (Lille), Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich), Junior Hoillett (Reading), Cyle Larin (Club Brugge), Liam Miller (FC Basel), Ike Ugbo (Troyes)

Who are the star names in the squad?

Canada's World Cup side is defined by its promising youth, and the most dazzling amongst these players is almost certainly gifted winger Alphonso Davies. The most expensive Canadian player in history won the Champions League in 2020 with Bayern Munich, and is the face of Canada's footballing renaissance.

Maple Leafs fans might have taken a collective sharp intake of breath on November 5, when Davies came off injured against Hertha Berlin, but the thigh muscle tear the Bayern player suffered will only keep him out for the two remaining Bundesliga matches ahead of the break.

Fans will also be keeping an eye out for the Conacaf qualifiers' top scorer, Cyle Larin, who represents Club Brugge at club level, and Jonathan David, who won Ligue 1 with Lille in 2021.

Brighton fans will be familiar with London-born defender Sam Adekugbe, who played on loan at the south coast club in 2016/17.

What are Canada's fixtures?

What is Canada's World Cup record?

Canada have made only one appearance at a World Cup, in 1986, where they failed to make it out of the group stage after losses against France, Hungary, and the Soviet Union. They did not score a goal in any of those five matches.

The golden generation, however, have ushered in a new atmosphere of positivity around Qatar 2022, despite the challenges they face in a thorny group. Canada won the third round of Conacaf qualifiers, beating runners-up Mexico for the first time in more than 20 years, and so start the competition on a wave of confidence.

Argentina | Australia | Belgium | Brazil | Cameroon | Canada | Costa Rica | Croatia | Denmark | Ecuador | England | France | Germany | Ghana | Iran | Japan | Mexico | Morocco | Netherlands | Poland | Portugal | Qatar | Saudi Arabia | Senegal | Serbia | South Korea | Spain | Switzerland | Tunisia | Uruguay | USA | Wales

Latest odds

Canada are really up against it in Group F. Check out their group winner odds

Canada are currently a best price of 500/1 to win the World Cup 2022.