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The international soccer tournament runs from Nov. 20 to Dec. 18
World Cup: Need to know
- The men’s World Cup runs from Nov. 20 to Dec. 18 in Qatar. Played every four years since 1930, it is the most-viewed sporting event in the world. Roughly one-ninth of the planet’s entire population watched broadcasts of the 2018 World Cup final. It is owned by FIFA, the world governing body for soccer.
- After a three-year qualifying process, there are 32 countries’ national teams in Qatar, divided into eight four-team groups. After those teams play each other once, the top two from each group advance to a series of single-knockout games.
- All World Cup games are broadcast by TSN, with CTV also broadcasting many games, including all of Canada’s matches. Canada plays Belgium (Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2 p.m. EST); Croatia (Sunday, Nov. 27, 11 am EST) and Morocco (Thursday, Dec. 1, 10 am) in the group stage.
- Canada qualified for the tournament by finishing atop the CONCACAF (North American) qualifying region, raising its overall world ranking to No. 41, a rise of 53 spots since John Herdman took over as head coach in 2018. Their Group F opponents’ rankings: Belgium, No. 2; Croatia, no. 12; Morocco, no. 22.
- Canada is in the tournament for only the second time. In its first appearance in 1985, it did not survive the group stage, losing 1-0 to France, 2-0 to Hungary and 2-0 to the Soviet Union.
- Canadian players to watch: goalkeeper Milan Borjan; backs Alphonso Davies, Richie Laryea; midfielder Stephen Eustaquio; forwards Jonathan David and Tajon Buchanan.
- Hamilton connections: Milan Borjan refers to Hamilton as his hometown; McMaster Professor Dr. Nick Bontis is president of Canada Soccer, the national governing body under FIFA’s umbrella; Tiger-Cat and Forge FC CEO Scott Mitchell is influential in high-level soccer as chair of Canada Soccer Business and the Canadian Premier League.
- The World Cup is usually played in May, June or July, but summer heat and humidity are too high in Qatar. Average November temperatures in Qatar: high, 23 C to 35 C; low, 16 C to 26 C.
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