World Cup

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World Cup | Group Stage

Nov 23, 2022 at 7pm UK

Belgium
1 - 0
Canada

Batshuayi (44')
Carrasco (9'), Meunier (53'), Onana (56')

FT(HT: 1-0)

Davies (81'), Johnston (83')

Belgium vs. Canada: How do both squads compare ahead of World Cup clash?

By Joshua Ojele | 22 November 2022

Sports Mole looks at how the squads of Belgium and Canada compare ahead of Wednesday's World Cup clash between the two sides.

Belgium and Canada kick off their respective FIFA World Cup campaigns when they go head to head at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium on Wednesday.

Roberto Martinez's side enjoyed an easy route to Qatar as they finished unbeaten in the qualifiers, picking up six wins and two draws in eight matches to secure top spot in Group E.

Canada, whose last World Cup appearance came in 1986, ended their 36-year absence from the tournament after finishing as group winners in the CONCACAF qualifiers with 28 points from 14 matches.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how the squads of Belgium and Canada stack up against each other ahead of Wednesday's contest.

BELGIUM

Belgium players pose for a team group photo before the match on September 22, 2022 © Reuters

Most valuable player:
Kevin De Bruyne (£69.3m)

Overall squad value:
£487.7m

Most capped player:
Jan Vertonghen (142)

Leading goalscorer:
Romelu Lukaku (68)

Total caps:
1,357

Total goals:
247

Oldest player:
Jan Vertonghen (35)

Youngest player:
Zeno Debast (19)

Average age:
27.8

SQUAD IN FULL

Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid), Simon Mignolet (Club Brugge), Koen Casteels (Wolfsburg)

Defenders: Jan Vertonghen (Anderlecht), Toby Alderweireld (Royal Antwerp), Leander Dendoncker (Aston Villa), Wout Faes (Leicester City), Arthur Theate (Rennes), Zeno Debast (Anderlecht), Yannick Carrasco (Atletico Madrid), Thomas Meunier (Borussia Dortmund), Timothy Castagne (Leicester City), Thorgan Hazard (Borussia Dortmund)

Midfielders: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City), Youri Tielemans (Leicester City), Amadou Onana (Everton), Axel Witsel (Atletico Madrid), Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge)

Forwards: Eden Hazard (Real Madrid), Charles De Ketelaere (AC Milan), Leandro Trossard (Brighton & Hove Albion), Dries Mertens (Galatasaray), Jeremy Doku (Rennes), Romelu Lukaku (Inter Milan), Michy Batshuayi (Fenerbahce), Lois Openda (Lens)

CANADA

Canada players pose for a team group photo before the match in September 2022 © Reuters

Most valuable player:
Alphonso Davies (£60.6m)

Overall squad value:
£162.2m

Most capped player:
Atiba Hutchinson (98)

Leading goalscorer:
Cyle Larin (25)

Total caps:
822

Total goals:
125
Oldest player:
Atiba Hutchinson (39)

Youngest player:
Ismael Kone (20)

Average age:
26.9

SQUAD IN FULL

Goalkeepers: Milan Borjan (Red Star Belgrade), Dayne St. Clair (Minnesota United), James Pantemis (CF Montreal)

Defenders: Alistair Johnston (CF Montreal), Sam Adekugbe (Hatayspor), Kamal Miller (CF Montreal), Steven Vitoria (Chaves), Richie Laryea (Toronto), Derek Cornelius (Panetolikos), Joel Waterman (CF Montreal)

Midfielders: Samuel Piette (CF Montreal), Stephen Eustaquio (Porto), Liam Fraser (Deinze), Atiba Hutchinson (Besiktas), Mark-Anthony Kaye (Toronto), Ismael Kone (CF Montreal), Jonathan Osorio (Toronto), David Wotherspoon (St Johnstone)

Forwards: Lucas Cavallini (Vancouver Whitecaps), Junior Hoilett (Reading), Tajon Buchanan (Club Brugge), Ike Ugbo (Troyes), Cyle Larin (Club Brugge), Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich), Jonathan David (Lille), Liam Millar (Basel)