Canada Men’s National Soccer Team’s Quest to Brazil

On September 2, 2011, Canada men’s national soccer team began its quest to reach the 2014 FIFA World Cup Finals in Brazil. Coached by Stephen Hart and captained by MLS Star Dwayne De Rosario, Canada looks to secure their second ever FIFA World Cup Finals. Their lone appearance occurred in 1986 when the event was held in Mexico.

In order to reach the final 32, Canada must compete against 35 teams in four rounds of competition in their CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football) region. By the end of the qualifying tournament, the top three teams will play in Brazil. Additionally, the fourth place team will receive a second chance by competing in an inter-continental playoff against the winner of the Oceanic region tournament.

As the seventh ranked team in CONCACAF and the 87th ranked in the world, Canada received a bye from the first round of qualifiers which took place during June and July, 2011. By the end of the first round, 35 teams had dwindled down to 30. Of these nations, the top six ranked received an automatic berth to the third round (Mexico, USA, Jamaica, Honduras, Costa Rica, Cuba). The remaining 24 teams play in the second round which consists of six groups. Second round matches commenced in September and conclude November 2011. The six winners of each group will advance to the third round to join the top six ranked teams.

Canada has been placed in Group D with Puerto Rico, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Lucia. In three second round matches to date, Canada has outscored their opponents by a combined score of 14-1. In the first match, Canada defeated St. Lucia by a score of 4-1 at BMO Field on September 2. Four days later, the team visited Puerto Rico and was victorious once again winning by a score of 3-0. In their third match on October 7, Canada visited St. Lucia and blew out the island nation 7-0.

The 0-0 result keeps Canada in first place in Group D (St. Kitts and Nevis – 6, Puerto Rico – 3, St. Lucia – 1). With two matches remaining, both against St. Kitts and Nevis, Canada need a total of one point to advance into the third round. The first match will take place in St. Kitts and Nevis on November 11. The second round wraps up with the final match at BMO field on November 15.

Breakdown of the 35 CONCACAP teams:
3 from North America
7 from Central America
25 from the Caribbean