Canada vs Qatar — World Cup 2026 Group · Matchday 2
Match preview / What to expect
Updated Jun 6, 2026Co-hosts Canada welcome Qatar in a Group B clash with a partisan home crowd behind Jesse Marsch's side, who will be eager to build on a promising opener.
Canada's attack runs through Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies and Lille striker Jonathan David, a pairing capable of hurting any defence on the break. Julen Lopetegui's Qatar, Asian champions, counter with the guile of Akram Afif and the goal threat of Almoez Ali.
With home advantage and superior firepower, Canada will look to take the game to Qatar early. The Maroon, well-drilled and disciplined, will hope to absorb pressure and strike through Afif's creativity.
Key storylines
- 01Co-host Canada chasing a result in front of a home crowd to seize control of Group B.
- 02Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David spearheading a dangerous Canadian transition game.
- 03Akram Afif's creativity as Qatar's chief route to goal under Julen Lopetegui.
Prediction
Canada 2-0 Qatar
Projected lineups
Projected XI — not confirmed
Canada
Formation 4-3-3- 1M. Crepeau
- 2A. Johnston
- 3M. Bombito
- 4D. Cornelius
- 5A. Davies
- 6S. Eustaquio
- 7I. Kone
- 8J. Osorio
- 9T. Buchanan
- 10J. David
- 11J. Shaffelburg
Qatar
Formation 4-2-3-1- 1Meshaal Barsham
- 2Pedro Miguel
- 3Boualem Khoukhi
- 4Lucas Mendes
- 5Homam Ahmed
- 6Assim Madibo
- 7Karim Boudiaf
- 8Akram Afif
- 9Hassan Al Haydos
- 10Edmilson Junior
- 11Almoez Ali
Team news
Canada
- Alphonso Davies a key outlet down the left for the co-hosts.
- Jonathan David leads the line as Canada's main goal threat.
Qatar
- Akram Afif is Qatar's primary creator.
- Almoez Ali remains the focal point in attack.
Sources
Preview is editorial. Projected lineups are not confirmed team sheets.
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