A few days after the cancellation of the Camp Poutine, the January Preparatory Camp early in 2022, CanMNT also released a statement that Alphonso Davies would not participate in the FIFA World Cup Qualifying window. This seems like a double-strike for live soccer and Napoli FC player fans in Canada and across the world.
Suffice to mention that the withdrawal of Davies from the qualifying window has nothing to do with the cancellation of the January Preparatory Camp. It was rather a decision taken from the perspective of his health condition.
The club physician of Bayern Munich, Davies’ parent club announced that the Canada powerful player was diagnosed with mild myocarditis, a condition caused by Covid-19. While PES 2018 fans and prodirect soccer fans wish Davies a swift recovery, the Canada team must prepare for the qualifying window in the absence of the number one star of the team.
Suffice to mention that Davies has featured severally in ESPN soccer scores reports and the anticipation for his participation in the qualifying window of FIFA World Cup 2022 was very high. However, he would be sorely missed on the pitch during this season.
Effects of Covid-19 on FIFA World Cup 2022 Qualifying Windows and Euro Soccer
The Omicron, a variant of the Coronavirus has continued to play havoc amidst soccer schedules and plans, including the Napoli FC. Earlier in the year, soccer fans have almost given up on the possibility of watching live soccer TV and many have resorted to video games, including PES 2018.
Club games have to be postponed and matches that were played had to be held without fans in attendance. Euro soccer also witnessed a major decline in the pomp and excitement that often surround the event. With fans being barred from attending live soccer events, many have taken solace in playing video games, such as PES 2018.
However, it is very unlikely that the scheduled CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers game would be postponed. The FIFA World Cup calendar that leads to Qatar must run and all federations are required to continue as scheduled. That means fans can take a break from PES 2018 and watch out for real live games. Suffice to mention that the Canada team will face many challenges just like they did in previous qualifying windows.
This is thanks to the absence of key players on the team. The three major events likely to affect the availability of players are yellow card accumulation, player injuries, and quarantine protocols relating to Covid-19. Beyond these major issues, players that are out of season and not fit for matches may also affect the selection of CanMNT players.
However, it is not all bleak for the team. Canada has an increasing number of players coming on board, including the Euro soccer player, Richie Laryea, and Tajon Buchanan that were recently transferred. The Napoli FC player is also on the ground to join his home team to play in the qualifying window.
Prospective Players in the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying Window
With the abovementioned challenges, who are the likely players to feature in the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying window? Well, John Herdman has the major task of choosing his team carefully. It is worth mentioning that the head coach has a penchant for calling more than the regular 23-player roster.
Hopefully, the head coach will break from this and explore the growing depth accessible to him for a richer talent pool. This World Cup Qualifying window is such an event that the CanMNT must consider pulling a taxi-squad, which may include the Napoli FC player, for any eventualities that may occur along the way.
Starting from the box, the goalkeepers will include Milan Borjan from the Red Star Belgrade and Maime Crepeau from Whitecaps FC. Dayne St. Clair or Sebastian Breza is also a potential goalkeeper to enter the pool. It is worth noting that the vaccination status of Milan Borjan may prevent him from coming into Canada without the compulsory 14-day quarantine.
According to reports from Serbia, Borjan contracted the coronavirus for the second time, which means he may not be available for the event if this were true. If this were to happen, Crepeau will surely step into the position as the number one goalkeeper and create another buzz for PES 2018.
The recent move of Richie Laryea to Nottingham Forest FC from Toronto FC brings another fullback player from Europe back to the CanMNT pool. Laryea will likely be playing on the right side with Adekugbe on the left. Interestingly, Adekugbe and Laryea both enter the qualifying window with yellow cards.
If either of these two is suspended, the head coach must carry additional fullbacks to the window to ensure there are no lapses in the absence of any player. The new CF Montreal defender, Alistair Johnson, is also a face that football live score fans should look forward to seeing.
Although not match fit, having him in the training early before the upcoming MLS season is a boost to the Canada team. Cristian Gutierrez and Zachary Brault-Guillard, both from Vancouver Whitecaps and CF Montreal respectively are also likely to be in the camp to offer cover.
More on Potential Players in the Canada Soccer’s Men’s National Team Sheet
The regular crew of center-backs, Doneil Henry, Kamal Miller, and Steven Vitoria are also expected to be called to the team. Although Vitoria has always been in great form with Morreirense, it is dangerous to count on him to play all three games in the compressed qualifying windows, thanks to his yellow card.
With Vitoria and Henry having yellow cards already, it makes sense to have a backup plan for these players. Veteran captain Atiba Hutchinson is another name that should be on the team sheet. However, having missed two Besiktas games, his fitness is currently under consideration. Rumor has it that he was down with Covid-19 early in January.
That means if he does not recover on time, he will be absent from the qualifying window matches. Other players that are likely to make it to the team sheet are Jonathan Osorio, Samuel Piette, Mark-Anthony Kaye, and Lorenzo Insigne, the Napoli FC player. Without a doubt, the Canada team must up their game as they prepare to co-host World Cup 2026.
