Canada have been one of the fastest rising teams in the world in recent years. They are currently 44th in the FIFA rankings (as of 21 September 2023) but reached their highest ever ranking last year when they were 33rd. They reached their lowest ever ranking of 122nd in 2014 and have remained around 100th for several years, which explains their remarkable rise in recent years.

The culmination of their breakthrough was last year's qualification for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, their second appearance at the FIFA World Cup™ and their first in 36 years. The unseeded nation started in the first round of CONCACAF qualifiers and eventually qualified for the World Cup in first place, ahead of Mexico and the USA, two of the confederation's strongest sides. Despite suffering three consecutive defeats in Qatar - 0-1 to Belgium, 1-4 to Croatia, and 1-2 to Morocco - they were unfazed by the strong opponents, scoring their first World Cup goal, and putting up a courageous fight with their speed and high technical ability.

The team has taken part in two CONCACAF competitions this year. Finished runners-up in the 2022-23 CONCACAF Nations League after losing to the USA in the final. They also met the USA in the quarterfinals of the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup, which they lost on penalties. Since then, head coach John HERDMAN, who led Canada to the World’s top stage, announced his resignation at the end of August. Having played no international “A” matches in September, the upcoming match against SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) will be the first step in their new journey.

The team holds an overall record of one win and two losses against Japan, most recently beating them 2-1 in Dubai in November. The two countries first met in the group stage of the FIFA Confederations Cup Korea/Japan 2001™ in Niigata, where Japan, led by head coach Philippe TROUSSIER, won 3-0 thanks to the goals scored by ONO Shinji, NISHIZAWA Akinori, and MORISHIMA Hiroaki.

Canada's immediate focus is on the 2023-24 CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals in October. Should they reach the semi-finals, they'll qualify for the CONMEBOL Copa America, scheduled to be held in the USA next year. Six CONCACAF teams have been invited to take part in the competition to determine the South American champions. As they are exempt from qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, which they will co-host with the USA and Mexico, playing against quality South American oppositions should provide much-needed experience for the emerging nation.

Canada National Team

Coach

Mauro BIELLO (Canada)

Squad

GK
Milan BORJAN (SK Slovan Bratislava/Slovakia)
Maxime CREPEAU (Los Angeles FC/USA)
Dayne ST.CLAIR (Minnesota United/USA)

DF
Steven VITORIA (GD Chaves/Portugal)
Richmond LARYEA (Vancouver Whitecaps FC)
Samuel ADEKUGBE (Vancouver Whitecaps FC)
Scott KENNEDY (Wolfsberger AC/Austria)
Kamal MILLER (Inter Miami CF/USA)
Derek CORNELIUS (Malmo FF/Sweden)
Alistair JOHNSTON (Celtic FC/Scotland)
Moise BOMBITO (Colorado Rapids/USA)
Luc DE FOUGEROLLES (Fulham FC/England)

MF
Junior HOILETT (Vancouver Whitecaps FC)
Jonathan OSORIO (Toronto FC)
Samuel PIETTE (CF Montreal)
Harry PATON (Motherwell FC/Scotland)
Mathieu CHOINIERE (CF Montreal)
Alphonso DAVIES (FC Bayern Munich/Germany)
Ismael KONE (Watford FC/England)

FW
Cyle LARIN (RCD Mallorca/Spain)
Charles Andreas BRYM (Sparta Rotterdam/Netherlands)
Ike UGBO (Cardiff CityFC/England)
Liam MILLAR (Preston North End FC/England)
Jonathan DAVID (Lille OSC/France)

Results of last 10 matches
(H: Home, A: Away, N: Neutral ground, ○: Win, △: Draw, ●: Loss)

Record against Japan

1 win, 2 losses (3 goals, 6 against)

Results at the FIFA World Cup™

Appearances: 2 times
Best finish: Group stage

1930 Did not participate
1934 Did not participate
1938 Did not participate
1950 Did not participate
1954 Did not participate
1958 Eliminated in the qualifier
1962 Did not participate
1966 Did not participate
1970 Eliminated in the qualifier
1974 Eliminated in the qualifier
1978 Eliminated in the qualifier
1982 Eliminated in the qualifier
1986 Group stage
1990 Eliminated in the qualifier
1994 Eliminated in the qualifier
1998 Eliminated in the qualifier
2002 Eliminated in the qualifier
2006 Eliminated in the qualifier
2010 Eliminated in the qualifier
2014 Eliminated in the qualifier
2018 Eliminated in the qualifier
2022 Group stage

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