Canada’s men’s national team is on the verge of history. With a win or draw in its final home World Cup qualifier against Jamaica on Sunday, they will be back in a FIFA men’s World Cup for the first time since 1986.
There’s a strong likelihood that Canada will get one of those two results at BMO Field in Toronto: the Canadians have been strong at home during the final round of qualifying with five wins and a draw in their six home games thus far, outscoring opponents 13-3.
Canada (1st, 25 points) is already certain at worst to finish in fourth place, which guarantees a spot in June’s intercontinental playoff against a team from the Oceania region for a ticket to the World Cup. Meanwhile, Jamaica (7th, 8 points) have long been eliminated and are simply hoping to use the match for team-building and experience.
This was a qualification run by Canada that was unexpected given that coach John Herdman and his squad had to navigate the tricky preliminary rounds to reach this point. It had also been a while since Les Rouges had even reached the final round of regional qualifying and the team had to play matches without some of its stars. But it’s shown borderline swagger in topping the table with only one loss. The crowning achievement could come Sunday.
Sporting News is following the match live and providing live score updates, commentary.
MORE: How Canada can qualify for the 2022 World Cup
Canada vs. Jamaica live score
| 1H | 2H | Final | |
| Canada | — | — | — |
| Jamaica | — | — | — |
Goals:
None
(All times Eastern)
3:00 p.m.: This is no ordinary bus arrival.
The arrival. #canMNT pic.twitter.com/jXi6OxKEOm
— Luke Wileman (@LukeWileman) March 27, 2022
2:00 p.m.: Of course a potentially historic day in Canadian soccer is met by snowfall ahead of the March 27 qualifier in Toronto.
The #FrozenFortress strikes again!
????#CANMNT #WCQ #ForCanada pic.twitter.com/APjOgSaCRM— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) March 27, 2022
Canada vs. Jamaica lineups
Alphonso Davies (myocarditis) and Samuel Piette (ankle) are not on the roster and Mark-Anthony Kaye is forced to miss out due to a red card suspension. But Sam Adekugbe and Doneil Henry are back from suspension due to yellow-card accumulation and inserted straight into the lineup.
Veteran Steven Vitoria, who sat out against Costa Rica with a knock is not in the squad. Canadian legend Atiba Hutchinson starts on the bench.
Canada starting lineup (4-4-2, left to right): 18-Milan Borjan (GK) — 3-Samuel Adekugbe, 15-Doneil Henry, 23-Scott Kennedy, 22-Richie Laryea — 10-Junior Hoilett, 7-Stephen Eustaquio, 21-Jonathan Osorio, 11-Tajon Buchanan — 20-Jonathan David 17-Cyle Larin
Canada subs (12): Crepeau (GK), St. Clair (GK), Cornelius, Miller, Johnston, Gutierrez, Fraser, Hutchinson, Kone, Millar, Ugbo, Cavallini
Jamaica interim head coach Paul Hall has introduced some of the younger squad members called up for this three-match qualifying window. Veterans like Damion Lowe, Leon Bailey and Andre Gray are not in the squad. The new names include Jamaican league leading scorer Atapharoy Bygrave, who is in his first senior squad at the age of 28.
Jamaica starting lineup (3-5-2, left to right): 1-Andre Blake (GK) — 8-Ricardo Thomas, 19-Adrian Mariappa, 6-Richard King — 2-Gregory Leigh, 10-Ravel Morrison, 22-Devon ‘Speedy’ Williams, 14-Nicholas Nelson, 21-Javain Brown — 16-Daniel Green, 18-Atapharoy Bygrave
Jamaica subs (10): Amal Knight (GK), Tarick Ximinies, Ramone Howell, Demar Rose, Lamar Walker, Alex Marshall, Christopher Pearson, Shaw, Vassell, White
MORE: Full recap of Canada’s loss to Costa Rica
How to watch Canada vs. Jamaica
- Date: Sunday, March 27
- Time: 4:05 p.m. ET
- Canada TV channel: Sportsnet, Telus Ch. 980, RDS
- Canada streaming: fuboTV, OneSoccer.ca, Sportsnet NOW
- USA TV channel: Universo
- USA streaming: fuboTV, Paramount+
Sunday’s match between Canada and Jamaica from BMO Field in Toronto will be televised in Canada on Sportsnet, Telus Ch. 980 and RDS (French). The stream will be available on fuboTV among other platforms.
In the USA the match will be televised on Universo with the stream available on fuboTV, which is available on a free trial. Paramount+ will also stream the match for subscribers in the USA.
Canada vs. Jamaica betting odds
Canada come into this match as heavy favorites to not just secure World Cup qualification but do so in style. Jamaica, already eliminated from World Cup contention, has little to play for and they have far from a first team at their disposal.
The Reggae Boyz have kept just two clean sheets across all 12 qualifying matches so far, with one coming at home against last-placed Honduras. The other came in the reverse fixture of this match, with Canada out-passing Jamaica but coming up empty on its five shots on target in a 0-0 draw.
Jamaica was dangerous on set pieces in that October encounter, coming close on a number of occasions, and that has been Canada’s weak point throughout qualifying. That will be Jamaica’s way through in Toronto as well, but the finishing has to be better.
Sports Interaction odds (Canada)
DraftKings odds (USA)
- Moneyline: Canada -350 / Draw +450 / Jamaica +800
- Spread: Canada -1.5 (-115) / Jamaica +1.5 (-115)
- O/U 2.5 total goals: Over -130 / Under +100
- Both teams to score: Yes +125 / No -165
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