Tomorrow, Canada will make its second-ever FIFA World Cup appearance, marking the country’s first in 36 years. The nation’s journey has been a testament to perseverance and growth, especially following its disappointing exit in the 1986 World Cup, where Canada lost all three matches, scoring a total of zero goals. As the team gears up for Qatar, hopes are high for a much more promising showing.
From British Columbia to Newfoundland, Canadians are buzzing with excitement to support their national team on the world’s grandest stage starting November 20th. TSN’s Gareth Wheeler captured this sentiment perfectly, stating that “this group has captured the imagination of the country like few Canadian athletes and teams have before.”
Team Canada’s Journey to Qatar 2022
This year, Canada secured its spot in the FIFA World Cup after a stunning 4-0 victory against Jamaica at BMO Field in Toronto, affirming a resurgence in Canadian soccer. Notably, the squad features top-tier talent like Bayern Munich winger Alphonso Davies and Lille forward Jonathan David, ensuring Canada has one of its best shots ever at soccer’s most coveted trophy. Their first challenge? A match against Belgium, led by star player Kevin De Bruyne, on November 23rd.
Immigration Key to Canada’s World Cup Roster
The composition of Canada’s World Cup team reflects the nation’s unique cultural mosaic. Players hail from various backgrounds, embodying a diverse tapestry of Canadian identity. Many team members, especially those who are first-generation immigrants themselves, share a profound sense of pride for representing Canada. For instance, Yugoslavian-born Milan Borjan expressed his gratitude, saying, “[I’m] happy to give back something to Canada that Canada [gave to me]. New life, new everything.”
The 2022 roster consists of 26 players, seven of whom are first-generation immigrants, mirroring the 23% of Canada’s population made up of immigrants. Impressively, even the head coach, John Herdman, was not born in Canada, further showcasing the multicultural essence of this team.
International Representation on Canada’s Squad
Canada’s team includes three players from the United Kingdom: forward Ike Ugbo (Lewisham, England), midfielder David Wotherspoon (Perth, Scotland), and defender Samuel Adekugbe (London, England). Notably, Head Coach John Herdman hails from Consett, England.
Additionally, four other countries are represented by one player each:
- United States: Forward Jonathan David (Brooklyn, New York)
- Ghana: Forward Alphonso Davies (Buduburam)
- Ivory Coast: Midfielder Ismael Kone (Abidjan)
- Yugoslavia: Goalkeeper Milan Borjan (Knin, SR Croatia)
Second-Generation Immigrants on the Roster
Beyond the seven first-generation immigrant players, Canada’s squad features 12 second-generation immigrants. Among them is forward Junior Hoilett (Brampton, Ontario), born to Jamaican parents, and team captain Atiba Hutchinson, who is of Trinidadian descent. Other noteworthy inclusions include midfielder Stephen Eustaquio, born to Portuguese immigrants, and Mark-Anthony Kaye, whose parents hails from Jamaica.
On defense, more players have immigrant backgrounds, such as:
- Derek Cornelius, from Ajax, Ontario, is the child of Barbadian and Jamaican parents.
- Steven Vitoria (Toronto) has parents who immigrated from the Azores, Portugal.
- Alistair Johnston (Vancouver) was born to a Northern Irish mother.
- Kamal Miller (Scarborough, Ontario) is the child of a Canadian mother and a Jamaican father.
- Richie Laryea (Toronto), whose parents are originally from Ghana.
Adding to the multicultural mix, forwards Lucas Cavallini and Cyle Larin are also second-generation immigrants, with fathers from Argentina and Jamaica, respectively.
Fans Eager for the 2022 World Cup
The anticipation surrounding Canada’s World Cup journey is palpable, especially as stars like Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David lead the way. The enthusiasm reflects a deep-seated pride as Canadians eagerly await this milestone moment. Evidence of this excitement was on full display when the FIFA World Cup trophy visited Toronto on November 9th, where hundreds of fans lined up to capture a moment with the iconic prize.
This palpable excitement sets the stage not just for the current World Cup in Qatar, but also for what awaits when Canada co-hosts the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside the U.S. and Mexico. With such enthusiasm for soccer blooming across the nation, it’s an exhilarating time for Canadian sports fans.
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