An inside look at Canada’s World Cup soccer group: Belgium, Croatia, Morocco

By: Laura Armstrong - Staff Reporter, Toronto Star Posted: 4:11 PM CDT Saturday, Apr. 2, 2022 Last Modified: 4:15 PM CDT Saturday, Apr. 2, 2022

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The Canadian men’s soccer team will play in Group F with Belgium, Croatia and Morocco when the World Cup kicks off in November in Qatar. Here’s a closer look at the opposition after Friday’s draw:

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 02/04/2022 (1648 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Belgium

Match day Nov. 23

Andrew Medichini - AP file photo
Striker Romelu Lukaku, centre, has been a fixture for the second-ranked Belgians. — Andrew Medichini - AP file photo Striker Romelu Lukaku, centre, has been a fixture for the second-ranked Belgians.

FIFA ranking No. 2

Qualified First in UEFA group

Last time vs. Canada Won 2-0, 1989

Stars Kevin De Bruyne (Man City), Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea)

Belgian soccer’s golden age is nearing an end with little to show for it. Roberto Martinez’s side will be desperate to change that. The Belgians topped the FIFA rankings for the fourth consecutive year in 2021, while Canada was named most improved side. This match will be a measuring stick.

Croatia

Match day Nov. 27

FIFA ranking No. 16

Qualified First in UEFA group

Stars Luka Modric (Real Madrid), Ivan Perisic (Inter Milan)

Croatia has never played against Canada and is four years removed from reaching the World Cup final in Russia. The squad was knocked out in the round of 16 at last year’s European championship, however. Canada’s chances will rest on using speed and physicality to push an older Croatian lineup. This match might very well decide whether Canada advances.

Morocco

Match day Dec. 1

FIFA ranking No. 24

Qualified In third round of Confederation of African Football qualifying

Last time vs. Canada Won 4-0, 2016

Stars Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain), Tarik Tissoudali (Genk)

This will be the Moroccans’s second consecutive World Cup appearance. They tied Spain in 2018, and narrowly lost to Portugal and Iran. The Canadians should see more of the ball in the most winnable of their three matches, but will have to be clinical and opportunistic to take three points.

Laura Armstrong is a Star sports reporter based in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @lauraarmy