Alistair Johnston still remembers the moment he stood in the tunnel before Canada’s opening match at the 2022 World Cup, the nation’s first appearance at the tournament in 36 years. He was struck by the sight of Belgium’s top players just a few steps away, a reminder that the game itself does not change no matter how bright the lights are.
Four years later, Canada is preparing to return to the global stage. The squad begins its campaign on Friday against Bosnia‑Herzegovina in Toronto, then travels to Vancouver for matches on June 18 against Qatar and June 24 against Switzerland.
In Qatar, Alphonso Davies scored Canada’s first World Cup goal in a 4‑1 loss to Croatia. Although the team lost each of its group