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
BREAKING Quebec judge orders bus driver to stand trial for 2023 daycare crash deaths
A judge has ordered a Quebec man to stand trial on charges of first-degree murder in the deaths of two children killed when a bus rammed into a Montreal-area daycare last year.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Trudeau's latest pre-budget pledge targets millennial moms, vowing $1B in loans for more child-care spaces
The federal government is launching a new loan program to help child-care providers in Canada expand their spaces, and will be extending further student loan forgiveness and training options for early childhood educators, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Thursday.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts coming to McDonald's in U.S., but not Canada
Canadians will be missing out on a sweet new partnership between McDonald's and Krispy Kreme, which will see doughnuts available at McDonald's locations across the U.S. by the end of 2026.
Calgary officer charged after allegedly assaulting handcuffed man
A Calgary police officer has been charged after allegedly assaulting a handcuffed man two years ago.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
How do you navigate the social media minefield with your kids?
Growing fears about social media's harm have sparked lawsuits against social media companies from hundreds of school districts in the United States and now Canada. CTVNews.ca wants to know whether your children are addicted to social media or if you have concerns about their usage of platforms such as Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok and X.