Canada Soccer's 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in Edmonton, explained
Canada Soccer's Men's National Team is set to play two crucial 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifying matches in Edmonton.
Whether you're a new soccer fan wondering the significance of these matches or you're going to Commonwealth Stadium and want to get familiar with Canada's opponents, Costa Rica and Mexico, CTV News Edmonton has you covered.
Canada will face Costa Rica on Friday, Nov. 12, and Mexico on Tuesday, Nov. 16.
Alphonso Davies training at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton. (Twitter/@AlphonsoDavies)
QUALIFIERS, EXPLAINED
Canada is currently in the final stage of CONCACAF qualifiers.
Mexico, United States, Canada, Panama, Costa Rica, Jamaica, El Salvador and Honduras are facing each other twice, home and away, and the top three teams will automatically qualify for the World Cup in Qatar in late 2022.
The fourth-place team will enter a playoff against teams from South America, Asia and Oceania.
After six of 14 matches, Canada sits third in the standings behind Mexico and the United States, respectively, and two points ahead of Panama.
HOW GOOD ARE MEXICO AND COSTA RICA?
The two Spanish-speaking countries are typically among the very best in CONCACAF, especially Mexico.
Mexico is ninth in the FIFA rankings, while Costa Rica is 45th and Canada is 48th.
Mexico has been to 16 of 21 World Cups, including the last seven where they always reached the Round of 16.
Mexico's Raul Jimenez celebrates after scoring from the penalty spot his side's second goal against El Salvador during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at Cuscatlan stadium in San Salvador, El Salvador, Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
Costa Rica, meanwhile, has qualified to four of the last five World Cup, including the past two.
Canada has only qualified for the 1986 World Cup — in Mexico.
While the United States did not qualify for the 2018 World Cup, the Americans and Mexicans are usually the favourites to lock the top in the standings, so Costa Rica is likely Canada's main competitor for the third birth.
WHO WILL BE THE TOP PLAYERS AT COMMONWEALTH?
By now, most Canadians and soccer fans across the world are familiar with Alphonso Davies, the gifted Edmonton-raised player on Bayern Munich.
Friday will be the first time Davies plays a professional match in Edmonton.
Team Canada's Alphonso Davies takes part in a practice session in Edmonton, Alta., on Wednesday November 10, 2021. Canada takes on Costa Rica in their World Cup match on Friday November 12, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
Other players to watch for Canada include Jonathan David, who plays for the French league's reigning champions Lille, and Besiktas' Cyle Larin, the qualifier's top scorer with nine goals.
Mexico has an impressive roster headlined by Raul Jimenez, a striker for Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League.
Goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, midfielder Andres Guardado and striker Hirving Lozano have also played at the highest levels in Europe.
Costa Rica has one of the best goalkeepers in the world in Keylor Navas but he won't play against Canada on Friday after he picked up an injury with PSG.
Kendall Waston, Bryan Oviedo and Bryan Ruiz have been mainstays in the Costa Rica side in recent years.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.