World Cup 2026: Can Canada’s ‘best team ever’ deliver long-awaited breakthrough?

On paper, Canada’s group is more favorable this time. They face Switzerland, Qatar and Bosnia-Herzegovina – the latter beating Italy on penalties to earn their place.

“People are saying there’s no reason Canada can’t top this group, especially after Italy choked,” Johal said. “Maybe the Swiss are our biggest rivals right now.”

Recent results have not quite matched that confidence. Canada was knocked out of the CONCACAF Gold Cup by Guatemala on penalties in the quarter-finals, while their friendly results have been mixed.

The March international break saw draws against Iceland and Tunisia in Toronto.

Goals have also been at a premium as Canada have failed to net in four of their last nine games. So, there should be plenty of work for manager Jesse Marsh if the co-hosts are to match the high hopes.

Although Marsh is struggling to build a top XI, he hopes talisman Alphonso Davies will be available soon – despite missing their opener through injury.

A 21-year-old at Qatar 2022, Davies endured a mixed tournament in which he missed a penalty. Canada’s first loss to BelgiumBefore becoming the first Canadian to score at the World Cup in their match against Croatia – but they lost 4-1.

Now 25, Davies is Canada’s captain and best player but has missed 15 games for Bayern Munich this season due to injury.

He missed March’s internationals with a hamstring strain, but hopes to be fit for some of the World Cup, which would be a huge boost for his country.

“We’ve seen Davies come back and score goals for Bayern, he’s an integral part,” Zohal added. “Davies is 100% the face of the team, it’s just that we haven’t seen the face of injury so often.”

Davies, Juventus striker Jonathan David and Villarreal midfielder Tajan Buchanan are the backbone of Canada’s golden generation. If all three are fit and firing, the Canucks can compete.

Toronto and Canadian midfielder Jonathan Osorio believes that the popularity of soccer in the country has helped the rising standards.

He told the BBC World Service: “The exposure to other world leagues on TV here was also a factor.

“I think the success of Canadian club teams in MLS has helped, and all of these things have helped that the next generation really believes and dreams big and believes that it’s possible to one day help Canada reach a higher level.

“Our grassroots started improving. Everything like sports in our country started improving and that’s why we finally got over that hump and qualified for the World Cup.

“I think this team represents Canada more than any other national team in any sport. We really show how diverse Canada is.”