Canada Heads to Qatar after 36-years of World Cup absence

After a stunning run to the top of the Concacaf table, the Canadian men’s national team has returned to grand stage for the first time in 36 years following a 4–0 win over Jamaica at BMO Field in Toronto on Sunday.

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Its return to the World Cup caps off a memorable period in Canada’s soccer history after the women’s team won gold at the Tokyo Olympics last summer.

The Canadian men’s team first and only appearance in the World Cup came in 1986 in Mexico, where it finished last in its group with three losses.

Cyle Larin, Tajon Buchanan and Junior Hoilett scored for Canada to secured its first World Cup berth in 36 years.

Speechless. Dream come true,” midfielder Jonathan Osorio said. “We all dreamed of this as little kids, and as a Canadian that was impossible. Today the impossible happened. It’s an incredible feeling.”

Canada missed out a chance to secure a spot in Qatar last week with a 1-0 loss to Costa Rica. It was Canada’s first loss in three World Cup qualifying rounds and it snapped a six-game winning streak.

Boosted by the home crowd at BMO Filed, Canada rebounded in a big way against the Jamaicans, who were already eliminated from World Cup contention.

Canada coach John Herdman became the first coach ever to lead both a men’s and women’s team to a World Cup berth. He coached the Canadian women’s team from 2011-18.

In a post-game interview Herdman was doused with champagne by Canadian goalkeeper Milan Borjan.

Canada has gone three games without their key attacker, Alphonso Davies who was diagnosed of COVID-19 in January