César Cruz 

Alphonso Davies overcomes covid-19 heart scare 

Canada

Qatar 2022 will see Canada compete at a World Cup for the first time in nearly 40 years, after the Canucks won CONCACAF’s qualifying tournament.

The Canadians haven’t been at a World Cup since 1986, when they out-qualified Honduras and Costa Rica to take their place at the finals in Mexico.

Canada failed to score at that World Cup, drawing a blank in their three group games against France, Hungary and the Soviet Union.

In the 36 years since then, Canada have had competitive sides; indeed, they were crowned CONCACAF champions when they won the Gold Cup in 2000.

Unlike in '86, Canada go to Qatar  with a squad boasting players  who ply their trade at some of the biggest clubs in Europe.

Their undoubted star is Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies, who has taken the football world by storm - but recently endured a major health scare.

Davies suffered a problem with his heart after contracting covid-19 - a situation that put the 21-year-old's World Cup, and career, in doubt.

After spending four months out and undergoing extensive health checks, Davies has been cleared to carry on playing and will be at the World Cup.