Who Canada will play in FIFA World Cup Round of 32
The Canadian men’s national team has made history at the FIFA World Cup, qualifying for the knockout round for the first time ever.
It’s a massive achievement, but the players had trouble celebrating it, given how close they were to winning their group.
“The feeling inside the locker room is disappointment, because we wanted to be here for the next two games,” goalkeeper Max Crépeau told reporters after Canada’s 2-1 loss to Switzerland on Wednesday. “The reality of things is that we go to Los Angeles, and we know what to expect when we go away. We know how to conduct ourselves when we’re on the road.”
While they won’t play in Vancouver as they had hoped to do, Canada will play in the Round of 32. Because Canada finished second in Group B with a 1-1-1 record, they’ll have to travel to Los Angeles for their next match on Sunday at 3 p.m. EDT/noon PDT.
“We wanted to stay home, but yes, we are proud because we achieved something that’s historical for us,” Crépeau added. “But this is where the mindset of the group is. We’re never satisfied with what we have. That’s the mindset of the locker room at the moment.”
Thanks to a major upset on Wednesday evening, Canada will play South Africa in the Round of 32. South Africa beat South Korea 1-0 to secure second place in Group A.
Should Canada win Sunday’s match, they would advance to the Round of 16. That match would be played in Houston against the winner of the first-place team in Group F and the second-place team in Group C.
And if they win that match, pinch me, because I must be dreaming.
Switzerland, meanwhile, gets to stay in Vancouver. They’ll play a yet-to-be-determined third-place team at BC Place in the Round of 32 on July 2.