canada world cup 2022

Canada's chances of making 2nd round of FIFA 2022 World Cup are better than you think

Canada has a shot at winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Even though it's not a great one.

The Canadian men's national team has a one-in-50 shot at appearing in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and a 1 per cent overall chance of winning the entire event, according to Nielsen's Gracenote.

"Predictions are based on over one million simulations that produce estimates showing the most likely team to fill each position in the knockout stages," according to Gracenote, which also reported the Canadian men's national team fandom has increased 33 per cent since the 2026 World Cup hosts were announced.

Only Costa Rica, Tunisia, Australia, Senegal, Saudi Arabia, Ghana, and Cameroon have a lower shot at the title, at 0 per cent.

Canada, which has better betting odds than 10 other countries to win the World Cup, is officially making its first appearance on the FIFA World Cup stage in 36 years.

Gracenote is an analytics company that provides sports data for 70 sports and leagues, including the NFL, MLB, English Premier League, F1, Tour de France, and Wimbledon. It also covers global sporting events like the Olympic Games and the FIFA World Cup.

The outlet, which will run updated simulations after each day’s results during the 2022 FIFA World Cup to continually update its forecasts and projections, gives Canada a 5 per cent shot at qualifying for the tournament's semifinal and a 15 per cent shot at making it to the quarterfinals.

Canada, which will play in Group F at the World Cup, with matches against Belgium, Morocco, and Croatia, has a 36 per cent chance of advancing out of the group stage.

Belgium, No.2 in FIFA rankings entering the World Cup, has a 72 per cent shot, while Croatia, ranked No. 12, has a 54 per cent chance. Morocco, No. 22, has a 39 per cent chance. Belgium lost to France in the semi-final four years ago and Croatia was a surprise World Cup finalist in 2018.

Canada will play Belgium on Wednesday, November 23, and Croatia on Sunday, November 27, before finishing the group stage against Morocco on Thursday, December 1.

The knockout phase will begin with the Round of 16 on December 3 and run through December 6. The quarterfinals will be played on December 9 and 10, with the semifinals set for December 13 and 14.

The final will be played on December 18.

You can watch the World Cup at these sports bars in Toronto or catch the games online.

Lead photo by

Canada Soccer


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in Sports & Play

Toronto Raptors players wore some wild costumes at their Halloween bash

Toronto Maple Leafs Halloween party featured plenty of hilarious costumes

Here's why a woman ran onto the court at a Toronto Raptors game

Toronto Maple Leafs are now worth a billion dollars more than before

Toronto's largest indoor roller skating rink shuts down

Fans can now tour the Leafs and Raptors dressing rooms at Scotiabank Arena

Former Toronto Raptors coach lived in a hotel during his whole tenure with team

Toronto Maple Leafs fan tosses jersey on ice during disappointing loss