Cavalry FC players to watch Canada’s World Cup games with fans

Canada will play in the World Cup for the first time in 36 years. What will this team be able to achieve in Qatar? And what will the impact of this tournament have on 2026? Sandra Prusina and Duncan Elias break it down.

By Joey Chini and The Canadian Press

Posted Nov 23, 2022 7:50 am.

Last Updated Nov 23, 2022 10:32 am.

Members of Cavalry FC will be at local Calgary establishment Ship & Anchor Pub on Wednesday to cheer on Canada at the World Cup.

The pub, colloquially known as “The Ship,” tells CityNews Cavalry players will be joined by former Team Canada players starting at 11 a.m.

It’s also expecting “a large contingent” of fans from the Voyageurs Canadian Soccer Fan Club.

Fans from the Voyageurs Canadian Soccer Fan Club gather at Calgary’s Ship & Anchor Pub to watch Canada take on Belgium at the World Cup. (Logan Stein, CityNews photo)

Doors will open at 8:30 a.m. in time for Spain to take on Costa Rica at 9 a.m., and in order to maximize space, The Ship will be opening its patios “to accommodate all those that want to come cheer on our team.”

Canada plays Belgium at 12 p.m. in its first World Cup appearance since 1986.

Watch parties are planned across the country as soccer fans get ready for the match.

In Montreal, a rivalry is brewing between the city’s French-speaking Belgian community and fans of Canada’s team, which is entering Wednesday’s game in Qatar as the overwhelming underdog.

But Canada received good news on Tuesday when it was revealed that winger Alphonso Davies — the team’s superstar player — has recovered from a hamstring injury and was declared fit to play.

Belgium is currently favoured to win Group F, which also includes 2018 finalist Croatia, and Morocco, ranked 22nd in the world.

Belgium, however, will be without its star striker Romelu Lukaku, who hasn’t played a match in nearly a month because of a thigh injury.

Canada is ranked 41st in FIFA standings and Belgium is second.

Cavalry players will continue attending watch parties with fans for Canada’s two subsequent group stage matchups.

FC players will be at Seven Chiefs Arena at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 27, for the game against Croatia, and Kildares Ale House at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 1, when Canada plays Morocco.