Canada's John Herdman wants to play 'big nations' to prepare for 2026 World Cup after group stage exit in Qatar... as rumors of hosting or playing in the 2024 Copa America gain steam
- John Herdman hopes that by playing stronger teams, Canada will be prepared
- Canada hopes to make the knockouts when they host their first men's World Cup
- Mexico, Canada, and the US could be playing in the next Copa America in 2024
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- Click here for the latest World Cup 2022 news, fixtures, live action and results
After playing in arguably the toughest group in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Canada head coach John Herdman wants his team to be ready for the next go-around.
Speaking to CBC, Herdman spoke about his national team's need to face stronger competition in order to get used to the quality of better footballing powerhouses.
Canada faced a tough group in Qatar - featuring a second-ranked Belgium alongside semifinalists Morocco and Croatia.Ā
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/12/21/65511839-11530587-image-a-85_1670880097735.jpg)
Canada coach John Herdman hopes his team can prepare for 2026 by playing 'big nations'
'We have to play big nations ā big games and feel what it's like to be under the pressure of these quality players,' Herdman said in the interview.
'We needed more games against that type of opponent. One error [can] lead to real punishment.Ā
'I think we needed to feel some of that punishment prior to coming into the World Cup and we hadn't.'Ā
![Canada hopes to be ready to get to the knockouts by the time they host the World Cup in 2026](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/12/21/65511847-0-image-a-72_1670879071201.jpg)
Canada hopes to be ready to get to the knockouts by the time they host the World Cup in 2026
Even with a -5 goal difference, Canada appeared strong for most of their matches - but could only find the back of the net once.Ā
Herdman feels good about the squad as it currently stands, but hopes their showing in Qatar could convince other talents to join Les Rouges.Ā
'We laid the foundation for 2026 and for now, the next quadrennial is about really pushing hard to recruit those players that are on the bubble, on the dual-passports,' Herdman said. 'We gave them a reason to believe that Canada can compete now and that we are a football nation.'
![Canada finished second to last in the World Cup, with a -5 goal difference and only 1 point](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/12/21/65511877-0-image-a-73_1670879073778.jpg)
Canada finished second to last in the World Cup, with a -5 goal difference and only 1 point
There have even been talks to have those three CONCACAF nations join in for the 2024 Copa America.Ā
'All I have to say is that it is speculation,' said CONCACAF president and Canada native Victor Montagliani. 'We are always discussing these matters with all the confederations.Ā
'When this country opens its doors to the rest of the world, we've got to be ready,' Herdman stressed. 'We have to come together collectively now in the spirit of what we've achieved here and build.'
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