Belgium vs Canada: Prediction and Preview in Football World Cup

We preview the Football World Cup 2022 match between Belgium and Canada, counting our pre-match prediction for Group F’s second game.

Preview

Canada will go into their World Cup opener against Belgium with “belief, not confidence”, according to midfielder Jonathan Osorio. The North Americans defied prospects to top the final group of CONCACAF qualifying – ahead of the United States and Mexico – and earn an involuntary qualifying place at Qatar 2022, and Osorio is confident of making more surprises.

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A clash with a Belgium side containing the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard, and Thibaut Courtois is an initiation of fire in their first World Cup appearance in 36 years but Osorio is prepared to defy expectations in the Group F feature at Al Rayyan Stadium. He told the Vancouver Sun: “We don’t hope anymore, we trust. We’re very confident in ourselves. We want to show that we are a football nation and that we can contest with the best in the world.

“We want to astonish people because I think people still see us as losers; Canada and the World Cup, they should just be content to be here.

Belgium vs Canada

“But that’s not our attitude. We’re here to compete, to compete at a high level. We believe within our group, with the quality that we have and our brotherhood we can go as far as we want to go.”

Canada’s England-born coach John Herdman, who could be without star full-back Alphonso Davies of Bayern Munich due to a constrain strain, was also in a bullish mood, adding: “I think, internally, Canada is starting to expect things from us.

“If you go to France, Germany, Italy, England, Brazil, Argentina they’ll ask ‘who’s Canada?’ But I think internally, as a country, we’ve started to believe things are possible, and it’s just the same mentality – one game at a time.”

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Much of Belgium’s build-up has enclosed the fitness of striker Romelu Lukaku who is set to miss the first two games in Qatar after suffering a reappearance of a constrain strain. Former Belgium captain Vincent Kompany, now boss of Burnley in the English Championship, comprehends why Roberto Martinez opted to take a gamble on the fitness of the Inter man.

Kompany missed the entire group stage at the 2018 Football World Cup and only repaid for the knockout phase as the Red Devils over third. He told Het Nieuwsblad: “I didn’t play in the group stage because I had injured my constraints in a friendly match in groundwork for the World Cup.

“Going along injured looks strange during the group stage, but once you’re further into the contest, you need players who make the change and can help win matches.

“Even if Lukaku can only play in one game against those bigger teams, his presence makes sense. I understand the decision. Match winners are everything in this competition.”

Players to Watch

Belgium Football World Cup: Kevin De Bruyne

The Manchester City midfield maestro is the man Canada must try to keep quiet.

He has 155 goal participation in just 224 Premier League appearances and a range of passing that can torment any defense. He will miss Lukaku’s physical attendance – as both a target and a creator of space – but De Bruyne still possesses the weapons to make a change.

Canada Football World Cup: Jonathan David

David may play a little further forward than De Bruyne but his figures are similar. In 15 games in Ligue 1 for Lille this season, the 22-year-old has donated nine goals and three assists. Destined to join one of Europe’s big guns at the end of the season, David will hope to use the Qatar Football World Cup as a catalyst

Prediction

It is unbearable to look past Belgium, despite the obvious sureness Canada gleaned from their imposing succeeding campaign. Opta’s predictor model gives Belgium a 62.2 percent chance of opening with a win, with Canada’s hopes rated at just 17.4 percent.

If De Bruyne, Eden Hazard, Dries Mertens and Co. fined their range then it could be a much extended night for Canada.

Belgium Vs Canada: Prediction

The Canadian Men’s National Team return to the Football World Cup stage for the first time since 1986 on Wednesday.  To know more about the Belgium Football World Cup Ticket click here.

John Herdman’s side couldn’t have asked for a more problematic start, facing world No.2 and 2018 semi-finalists Belgium at Al Rayyan Stadium. But despite their loser status and lack of experience at this stage Les Rouges are surely equipped to pull off a couple of shocks in Qatar.

Here’s the XI Herdman may display as the Can MNT make past for their nation:

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GK: Milan Borjan – Herdman optional Borjan could miss this match with an abdominal issue but is a head coach known for pre-match mind games. Chances are the veteran stopper is fine; if he is, Canada will rely on his knowledge.

CB: Alistair Johnston – The versatile defender has been outstanding in MLS over the past few years with Nashville SC and, now, CF Montreal. Expect him to push forward down the right flank when Canada gets the accidental to counter.

CB: Steven Vitoria – 

The 35-year-old center-back has spent almost a period playing top-flight football in Poland and Portugal and will be charged with holding the Canadian backline composed.

CB: Kamal Miller – After going under the radar for a good while, Miller is now widely recognized as one of the best defenders in MLS. He’ll also carry a risk at the other end from set-pieces.

RWB: Tajon Buchanan – Has adjusted nicely to life in Europe with Genk after contravention through with the New England Revolution. An attacker by trade, Buchanan has more lately been fielded as a wing-back. His knowledge of Belgian football could be significant.

CM: Stephen Eustaquio – Like Borjan, Eustaquio is another doubt. However, he skilled normally at the weekend so, once again, Herdman may just be keeping Roberto Martinez guessing. If Eustaqiuo is obtainable, the FC Porto man will offer vital quality and equanimity on the ball through the middle.

CM: Atiba Hutchinson –

 No Canadian merits this Qatar Football World Cup appearance more than Atiba Hutchinson, who stands on 98 caps for his country’s title in the tournament. The 39-year-old is yet to slow down despite his age and will offer a mixture of quality, knowledge, and solidity in midfield.

LWB: Sam Adekugbe – Adekugbe has flourished in Turkish football with Hatayspor over the last couple of years, fully solidifying his spot at left wing-back. Like Buchanan on the opposite side, he’ll be expected to offer an extra body when Canada breaks.

RW: Alphonso Davies – So much rests on the obtainability of Alphonso Davies for Canada. The Bayern Munich star is back in exercise but still isn’t 100%. However, the player himself recently stated his confidence that he’ll start. If he does, he’ll revert to his natural aggressive role rather than the left-back spot he occupies for Bayern. Speed, skill, and end creation. Davies can extremely hurt Belgium.

ST: Cyle Larin – Some are contented with Larin being dropped to the bench after struggling to get going with Genk following his move from Besiktas. However, the fact remains he’s Canada’s record goalscorer, so he’ll shoulder a lot of attacking answerability in Qatar.

LW: Jonathan David – Thankfully for Larin, he has thoughtful help from Jonathan David, who is second on the list of Canadian goalscorers and living his best life with Ligue 1 giants Lille. Expect plenty of fluid crusade between this front three, who will try to distort the Belgian defense and create room for their wing-backs to get up in sustenance.

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