Canada announce 26-member squad for FIFA World Cup

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) - Canada, which clinched a FIFA World Cup ticket after 36 years, announced their Qatar 2022 squad Sunday, a week before the kickoff.

Canada Soccer unveiled their World Cup squad on their website after the North American team's head coach John Herdman made his final choice.

Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies is expected to be the Reds' ace in Qatar.

Meanwhile, a Besiktas central midfielder since 2013, Atiba Hutchinson, 39, was among the 26 players picked for national duty.

In addition to Davies, Lille's Jonathan David and Club Brugge duo Cyle Larin and Tajon Buchanan can also shape Canada's offense in the World Cup.

The 2022 World Cup will start on Nov. 20, and this will be Canada's first World Cup appearance since Mexico 1986.

In Group F, Canada will compete against Belgium, Morocco and 2018 runners-up Croatia.

Canada will take on Belgium in their first match on Nov. 23. Then the Reds will face Croatia on Nov. 27 and Morocco on Dec. 1.

- World Cup squad

Goalkeepers: Milan Borjan (Crvena zvezda), Dayne St. Clair (Minnesota United), James Pantemis (Montreal)

Defenders: Steven Vitoria (Chaves), Alistair Johnston (Montreal), Richie Laryea (Toronto), Kamal Miller (Montreal), Samuel Adekugbe (Hatayspor), Joel Waterman (Montreal), Derek Cornelius (Panetolikos)

Midfielders: Atiba Hutchinson (Besiktas), Jonathan Osorio (Toronto), Stephen Eustaquio (Porto), Liam Fraser (Deinze), Samuel Piette (Montreal), Mark-Anthony Kaye (Toronto), Ismael Kone (Montreal), David Wotherspoon (St. Johnstone)

Forwards: Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich), Jonathan David (Lille), Cyle Larin (Club Brugge), Ike Ugbo (Troyes), Lucas Cavallini (Vancouver Whitecaps), Tajon Buchanan (Club Brugge), Junior Hoilett (Reading), Liam Millar (Basel)