Canada now knows who it will be playing in the 2022 World Cup.
The Canadians have drawn Belgium, Morocco and Croatia in Group F for the event set for Qatar in November. It’s the second World Cup trip for Canada and first since 1986.
Of the Group F teams, Canada has the lowest FIFA ranking at No. 38.
Meanwhile, Belgium is the toast of the group at No. 2. Croatia (No. 16) and Morocco (No. 24) are also very respectable foes.
Canada is a longshot champion for World Cup 2022
As of Monday, April 4, some of the world’s biggest sports betting operators will be live in Ontario’s free wagering market.
Here’s how some of those key Ontario sports betting players had Canada’s odds of winning it all as of Friday:
- BetMGM: (201.00 European odds, +20000 American)
- BetRivers: (201.00, +20000)
- PointsBet: (126.00, +12500)
How Canadians can bet on World Cup action
As sportsbooks reacted to Friday’s World Cup draw, more and more markets started to appear in the US.
PointsBet had group stage winner futures up. Here’s how PointsBet had Canada’s Group F odds looking:
- Belgium (1.50 European odds, -200 American)
- Croatia (3.25, +225)
- Morocco (13.00, +1200)
- Canada (17.00, +1600)
As games near, more single-match bets should appear. Betting in the knockout stage will be done primarily via three-way betting.
That means moneyline markets allow you to bet on three possible outcomes:
- Home team win
- Away team win
- Tie
Outside of that, the World Cup hands out numerous awards to players including the following:
- Golden Ball (Most Outstanding Player)
- Golden Boot (Top Goal Scorer)
- Best Young Player (21-years or younger)
- Golden Gloves (Top Goalkeeper)
All of these markets should become available amongst the big operators as November approaches.
Canada to be tested in return to World Cup against powerhouse countries
One key logistical note in Canada’s return to the World Cup is its playing schedule. It is as follows:
- Wednesday, Nov. 23; Canada vs. Belgium
- Sunday, Nov. 27: Croatia vs. Canada
- Thursday, Dec. 1: Canada vs. Morocco
That means Canada must come away with at least one point (tie) against one of the former two powerhouse countries.
Otherwise, by the time the most winnable game rolls around (Morocco), the club might already be eliminated. That won’t be an easy task either.
Belgium, while traditionally underachieving in international competitions, still has some of the world’s best players. The country has shown strong at the Euro 2020 (quarterfinal appearance) and 2018 World Cup (semifinal).
Meanwhile, Croatia, while aging, had a solid WC qualifying campaign. The European country went 7-1-2 (win-loss-draw) and still have 2018 Golden Ball winner Luka Modric.
Croatia was the finalist in the last WC, losing 4-2 to France. BetMGM had Croatia with one of the biggest line movements following the draw. The team went from +5000 (51.00) to +4000 (41.00).
Canada surpasses expectations in qualification to World Cup
Regardless of Canada’s outcome, it has been a historic ride for the country. The club won its CONCACAF (North and Central Americas, Caribbean zones) qualifying group to get to soccer’s greatest event.
In the process, they set a number of historic milestones including beating the US for the first time since 1980 in WC qualifying.
In that regard, there is no pressure. The Canadians have overachieved to even get here. Nobody predicted Canada’s CONCACAF performance.
On the other hand, the goalposts have shifted in many ways. It would be a disappointment if the Canadians were unable to garner a win or draw in Qatar.
In 1986, Canada’s only other WC appearance, it failed to do either.
Game on this November.
