Our prediction for this World Cup 2026 match:
All eyes will be on Estadio Azteca when Mexico and Canada take on each other in the CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers round 4. El Tri aim to retain top position in the standings, but this game will be anything but a walk in the park for the hosts. The good news for Mexico fans is that all Raul Jimenez, Hector Herrera, Johan Vasquez, Hector Moreno, and Hirving Lozano return to the squad.
The Canucks, on the other hand, aim to build on a 3-0 win over El Salvador, but beating Mexico on the road is easier said than done. Head coach John Herdman faces some selection worries as both Atiba Hutchinson and Cyle Larin have been struggling with injuries of late, while Milan Borjan missed Crvena Zvezda’s Europa League clash with Ludogorets through illness. Since El Tri are a real force to be reckoned with at home, the Canadians are unlikely to grab something from Friday’s qualifier.
Highlighted Player (Hector Herrera):
Mexico international Hector Herrera is a 26-year-old midfielder playing for Portugal giants FC Porto. Herrera began his career with Pachuca in 2010 and spent three years at the club before being sold to Porto. During his first season with the Dragons Herrera struggled for playing time, but he went on to cement his place in the starting eleven, becoming one of the most valuable players for the club.
Herrera has since them racked up over 110 performances for the Portugal side, scoring over 20 goals in the process. Full Mexico international since 2012, Hector Herrera represented his country at the 2014 World Cup.
During the summer of 2016 Herrera was heavily linked with a move away from Porto and was reported to have made a personal agreement with Italian side Napoli, but the €25 million asking price proved to be a stumbling block that ended up ruining the deal.
Highlighted Team (Canada):
Canada national football team played their first official match back in 1924 when they suffered a 3-2 loss to Australia in Brisbane. The following year the two teams faced each other one in Adelaide, with the Canadians managing to get their revenge on the Socceroos. The Canucks had several unsuccessful attempts to make it to the World Cup finals, but in 1986 they finally booked their place at the showpiece tournament.
Canada faced France in their opener, with Jean-Pierre Papin scoring the winner for les Tricolores in the dying minutes of the match. The Canadians were beaten by Hungary and USSR in the next two group games as well and, as a result, they failed to advance to the knockout stages.
Speaking of the team’s trophies, the Canucks won the CONCACAF Gold cup on two occasions (1985, 2000), with the team beating Honduras and Colombia respectively in the title games. Canada national football team play their home games at BMO Field and the capacity of the venue is 30,000.