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Or sign-in if you have an account.Nathan Saliba of Canada holds up the shirt of injured teammate Ismael Koné as he celebrates after scoring the team's fourth goal against Qatar during their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group B match in Vancouver on June 18, 2026. Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty ImagesWe independently select everything we recommend. Buying through us may earn us a commission, which supports our work.The Canadian men’s national soccer team won the biggest game in the program’s history on Thursday night, and in so doing welcomed countless Canadians on to the bandwagon.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorThe smashing 6-0 win over Qatar, which sets up another biggest-ever game against Switzerland next week, was a relief to long-time fans, but probably a curiosity to everyone else, which would include the bulk of the television audience. Here’s what they need to know to get up to speed.Get a dash of perspective along with the trending news of the day in a very readable format.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of NP Posted will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againIt was huge. The Canadian men had qualified for the World Cup twice before, in 1986 and 2022, and had lost all six games. In their first game at this World Cup, on home soil in Toronto, they earned a first-ever point by drawing with Bosnia-Herzegovina. But this game, against a weak opponent in Qatar, was an almost-too-good opportunity to win a first World Cup match and secure passage to the knockout rounds. It was a game they simply had to win, and boy did they.It sure is. No team from CONCACAF, which includes North and Central America plus the Caribbean, had ever scored more than four goals in a World Cup game. That includes soccer-mad Mexico and the United States, which is not soccer-mad but is quite large. The six goals included three from striker Jonathan David, who is now tied with Lionel Messi atop the scoring chart for this World Cup.Yes. That one. Greatest player of all time, give or take a Pele or Maradona. That guy. Ismael Koné of Canada waves to crowd as he is taken off the field in a stretcher after being injured during a FIFA World Cup 2026 Group B match against Qatar in Vancouver on June 18, 2026. Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty ImagesYes and no. Midfielder Ismael Koné had his leg broken horrifically by a tackle early in the second half, with Canada already up 3-0. The strange dichotomy of the night was on full display after the home team’s fourth goal, when Nathan Saliba had a muted celebration and then used his hands to make a number eight that he held aloft. Koné wears the number eight jersey for Canada. It was surreal. A perfect result for Canada, a game that made history in so many ways, and yet the players weren’t even sure how to react as they battered Qatar in what felt a little like vengeance. Stephen Eustaquio, who captained the squad on a night when it scored more goals than any team outside of Europe or South America had managed in a World Cup game, told reporters that he felt “empty.”Thankfully, no. Broken bones are usually better than torn ligaments or muscles, and, weirdly, three of Koné’s Canada teammates have suffered broken legs in recent seasons and returned to play. All three — Maxime Crepeau, Moise Bombito and Tajon Buchanan — were on the pitch in Vancouver.First, the Canadian women’s team has been quite good for a while. Olympic champions and all that. But the men, less so. That started to change about eight years ago, when this World Cup co-host role was announced, and when Canada Soccer moved John Herdman from his job coaching the women’s team to the men’s program.He was a fine coach, but more importantly he was an excellent recruiter. Canada under Herdman convinced a bunch of young players, many of them immigrants, to commit to Canada. Jonathan David was born in Brooklyn to Haitian parents but moved to Ottawa as a child. Koné was born in the Ivory Coast but moved to Montreal while in grade school. Cyle Larin was born in Brampton to Jamaican parents. Alphonso Davies was born in Ghana to Liberian parents. These are the kinds of players who for decades played for anywhere other than Canada because the Canadian men’s team was lousy, but Herdman was able to make them the nucleus of a new generation wearing the Maple Leaf on their chests.Actually, no. Herdman left the program after Qatar 2022, in part because of long-running funding problems, the details of which aren’t worth rehashing here. Soccer Canada hired Jesse Marsch to replace him, and the 52-year-old American has kept the machine running nicely. He also seems to have a healthy dislike for U.S. Soccer, which is kind of handy given the times. Jesse Marsch, head coach of Canada, celebrates the team’s 6-0 victory over Qatar after their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group B match in Vancouver on June 18, 2026. Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty ImagesCanada has one more game in the group stage, Wednesday in Vancouver against Switzerland. The four points amassed so far essentially guarantee they will be one of the 32 teams (of 48) to make it to the knockout rounds. But if they beat or draw Switzerland they would top their group, which means their first knockout game would be in Vancouver. (As would their second, if they got that far.) That would be a huge bonus.Switzerland were the pre-tournament favourites to win the group, mostly because they are vastly more experienced and a regular participant at the World Cup and European Championships. They are 19th in the FIFA rankings, where Canada is 28th, an all-time high. But they only drew against Qatar, the same team Canada battered, and weren’t doing much at all against Bosnia-Herzegovina in their second match before a flurry of late goals gave them a 4-1 win. Canada has to like its chances to at least manage a draw, especially if they get Alphonso Davies back.Davies is, yes, the one player on this team that is familiar to even the soccer-averse. The superstar left back blew an ACL in March, 2025, while playing for Canada. He worked his way back to fitness, and was playing for his professional club, Bayern Munich, in early May when he injured a hamstring. He’s been in a race to heal since, and Canada has been careful to bring him along slowly. They did not want to risk further injury, especially when they didn’t desperately need him. More time to heal is better.Oddly, no. It depends how much stock Marsch and company put in winning the group. He would have been more likely to return if they had to have a win (or draw) to advance. But Marsch is being intentionally cagey about his status, saying only that Davies is “available.” Whatever that means. I, too, am available.Next Wednesday at about 3 p.m. ET, when the game against Switzerland kicks off. Join the Conversation This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.