MONTREAL – Watch parties are planned across the country today as soccer fans prepare for the World Cup match between Canada and Belgium – Canada’s first game in the tournament since 1986.

In Montreal, a rivalry is brewing between the city’s French-speaking Belgian community and fans of the Canadian team, who come to today’s match in Qatar as big underdogs.

But Canada received some good news on Tuesday when it was revealed that winger Alphonso Davies – the team’s most dangerous player – has recovered from a hamstring injury and has been cleared to play.

Belgium are currently favorites to win Group F, which also includes 2018 runners-up Croatia and world-ranked 22nd Morocco.

However, Belgium will be without star striker Romelu Lukaku, who has not played a game for almost a month due to a thigh injury.

Canada is 41st in the FIFA rankings and Belgium is second.

This EssonneInfo report was first published on November 23, 2022.