Canada's pre-World Cup preparations begin on Friday with an international friendly against Bahrain.
The match, which will be played in Bahrain, will pit Canada's provisional squad against the 85th-ranked team in the world.
The Canada squad does not include many European-based players, who are still finishing up their club fixtures before the official World Cup break. There are opportunities for some domestic-based players to make one last push for a spot on the World Cup roster, which head coach John Herdman is expected to announce on Sunday.
Canada is set to embark on its second-ever World Cup journey, and first since 1986 as they head to Qatar to match up against Belgium, Croatia, and Morocco in Group F.
MORE: Predicting the 26-man Canada squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup
How to watch Canada vs. Bahrain
- Date: Friday, November 11
- Time: 10:30 a.m. ET
- TV channel: OneSoccer
- Streaming: fuboTV, OneSoccer.ca
The friendly between Canada and Bahrain from Khalifa Sports City Stadium in Isa Town, Bahrain will be broadcast in Canada by OneSoccer.
OneSoccer is available to stream on fuboTV in Canada, or streaming is available for cable subscribers at OneSoccer.ca.
Canada vs. Bahrain projected lineups & team news
Most European-based players, including Alphonso Davies and Stephen Eustaquio, are not available for this match as they finish up the first half of their club season. Davies will not take part for Bayern in their remaining fixtures due to injury, but he is expected to be fit for the World Cup.
LAFC goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau was expected to be part of the World Cup squad, and would have been available for this match as the MLS season has concluded, but he suffered a gruesome broken leg in the dying minutes of the MLS Cup final, and will miss the World Cup. This match, therefore, could be an opportunity for John Pantemis to earn a spot as the third goalkeeper on the World Cup roster behind starter Milan Borjan and his backup Dayne St. Clair.
Additionally, it's a big game for Joel Waterman who could be given a chance to prove he deserves the spot vacated by the injury to center-back Scott Kennedy. Waterman, who plays for CF Montreal, does not yet have an international cap. Even if Herdman does not turn to Pantemis and Waterman from the start, expect them to get time when changes are made.
Up front, Lucas Cavallini needs two goals to move into a tie for fourth all-time in goals scored for the Canada national team.
Canada projected starting lineup (3-4-3): St. Clair (GK) — Johnston, Miller, Edwards — Laryea, Piette, Kaye, Osorio — Kone, Cavallini, Akinola.
Bahrain, a member of the Asian confederation, fell short in the third round of World Cup qualifying, not reaching the final stage after finishing third in their group behind Iran and Iraq. It was a narrow miss, finishing on 15 points, just two behind second-place Iraq.
Its 37-year-old goalkeeper and captain Sayed Mohammed Jaffer can move into sole possession of second all-time in caps for Bahrain should he appear in the match, currently on 133 international appearances.
Center-forward Yusuf has European experience, spending time in the Czech Republic with Slavia Prague, and now plays for Indonesian side Persija Jakarta. Komail Hasan Al-Aswad was the leading scorer in World Cup qualifying with four goals, while forward Sayed Dhiya Saeed is the other member of the squad with over 100 caps.
Bahrain projected starting lineup (4-3-3): Jaffer (GK) — Hasan, Bennadi, Al Hayam, Al-Hooti — Al-Shaikh, Abdullatif, Marhoon — Saeed, Helal, Madan
MORE: A full list of all known injuries for every nation ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup
Canada vs. Bahrain betting odds, pick & prediction
Odds via Sports Interaction (Canada).
Bahrain is a home underdog in this match, but are still given a chance by oddsmakers since Canada head coach John Herdman only has a limited domestic-based squad available to him.
Goals are expected to be at a premium, with the under a heavy favorite and a slight skew towards both teams not to score. Bahrain was an extremely defensive team during World Cup qualifying, conceding just four goals through the eight matches.
MORE: Today's best bets and daily expert predictions from The Sporting News
| Sports Interaction | |
|---|---|
| Bahrain win | +270 |
| Draw | +225 |
| Canada win | -111 |
| Both teams to score Y / N | -112 / -139 |
| Over / Under 2.5 goals | +112 / -154 |
| Canada -0.5 | -109 |
| Bahrain +0.5 | -112 |
