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6 septembre 2018
John Herdman’s plan to restore the Canadian football to its former glory
Canada dream about a return at the top level of world football before co-hosting the World Cup 2026. To reach this goal, the head coach John Herdman has decided to bank on a new generation of players. Some of these youngsters took part in the Maurice Revello Tournament 2018.
In 2026, Canada will co-host the World Cup alongside Mexico and United States. If FIFA decides to give an automatic spot for the group stage to the hosts (like the previous editions), it would mean that Canada will be ensured to play the World Cup for the first time since 1986.
However, we don’t know yet if the world football’s governing body will keep this rule for the World Cup 2026 and before that another World Cup will be held in 2022. A competition clearly targeted by the head coach John Herdman.
“We know what we are here to do and as a group we will either choose to take this team to another level or we won’t, it’s that clear. This is a talented group who have a real shot at qualifying for Qatar 2022”, told the 43-year-old to the Canada Soccer Association official website.
To make this dream come true, the CSA has banked on a new generation of players. Several of them took part in the Maurice Revello Tournament 2018 few weeks ago. “The boys showed a new Canada. That’s what we want to show to the world, show why we are here”, said John Herdman following the 0-0 draw earned against Portugal.
John Herdman came in France to monitor the performances made by this new wave and thinks that the participation at the Maurice Revello Tournament has provided foundations for something built to last. “It showed that our methodology can take us to places where we can not only compete but win against these teams like we did against Turkey”, he said to Goal.
Le Canada ?? surprend la Turquie ?? #CANTUR
— Toulon Tournament (@TournoiToulon) 31 mai 2018
?️ Résumé ➡️ https://t.co/eGDSGh2Irg pic.twitter.com/wMyPS8ce51
The Maurice Revello Tournament has been a real showcase for some Canadian youngsters. Derek Cornelius, Liam Millar, Jonathan David, Alessandro Busti, Mathieu Choiniere : all these players, who came in France to earn some experience at the international level, have been called up to the Canada senior team for the Concacaf Nations League Qualifying opener against US Virgin Islands on 9th September.
This new generation could help Canada to recapture its former glory according to John Herdman. “There are parts of this team that I’m really comfortable with when I look to the future and I’m projecting out four years time and we’re in a World Cup playing against tough opposition, top opposition, which of the players are going to be able to cope with that level of competition now or in the future.”
