2022 World Cup Odds: Betting guide for Canada’s unique props

Canada’s men’s national soccer team is headed to the World Cup for just the second time in the program’s history, kicking off the tournament on Nov. 23 against Belgium.  With dozens of prop bets available at Sports Interaction, we’re highlighting some of the more unique options and looking at where the value sits.

Make sure to check out all Team Canada props and World Cup betting.

Now vs. Then

Canadian soccer has taken giant leaps forward over the last 36 years and that will be reflected in Qatar.  This is a stronger team than the 1986 version and they’ll show it on the scoreboard.  Belgium is a threat to put a couple goals past Canadian goalkeeper Milan Borjan, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Borjan record at least one clean sheet in the group stage.  Less than five goals is the value play.

Captain Canada

Fittingly it was veterans Atiba Hutchinson and Milan Borjan who were first off the plane as Canada returned to Qatar following their final friendly against Japan.  They’re the two longest serving members of the team and they represent how long it’s taken for Canada to get back to the World Cup.  The opening game against Belgium is a monumental moment and it would be shocking to see anyone other than Hutchinson, the most capped men’s player ever for Canada, wear the captain’s armband.

A Canadian First

The first-ever Canadian men’s World Cup goal will be historic moment in soccer for this country.  It would be fitting if Alphonso Davies, the face of Canada’s national men’s soccer team, scores the goal, but a lingering hamstring injury puts a question mark surrounding his health.  Jonathan David has been tearing up Ligue 1 scoring in France this season and provides solid value to score Canada’s fist goal.

Blanked in Qatar

This is a tough one because it’s not exactly rare to see a scoreless soccer game, but Canada’s style doesn’t tend to lean in that direction.  This is an aggressive team that’s biggest strength lies in it’s attack, led by the likes of Cyle Larin, Jonathan David and Alphonso Davies.  That leads to high-risk, high-reward scenarios, which makes it seem unlikely any of Canada’s games will end scoreless.

Upon Further Review

Video Assistant Referee made it’s debut at the 2018 World Cup to mixed results.  It largely worked as intended, but also produced some controversial decisions, including France’s crucial penalty goal in their 4-2 win over Croatia in the final.  Let’s be honest, though.  For a team like Canada, that has never even scored a World Cup goal before, it’s unlikely VAR will come into play.

Seeing Red

While Canada didn’t manage to score a goal at the 1986 World Cup, Mike Sweeney did manage to get the Canucks a red card.  Let’s hope the 2022 squad strikes out on reds, however, and focuses on goals.