The World Cup hopes of Canada are riding on the foot of a man whose boyhood dream was to play on a world stage. Alphonso Davies and Canada start against a Goliath in the soccer world at the World Cup.
World Cup 2022
Canada’s national men’s soccer team is putting the final touches on preparations for a tournament 36 years in the making.
The team had only qualified once previously for the World Cup—in 1986—which means a whole new generation are gearing up to cheer for the national squad as it enters the most prestigious soccer tournament in the world.
In 1986, the team lost all three games, without scoring. Will Canada score a goal this time? Could they tie a match? Could they WIN a match? Who could score Canada’s first ever World Cup goal? There is a good chance the first goal could come off the foot of Alphonso Davies. He is familiar with exceeding expectations.
Alphonso Davies
Davies’ parents fled Liberia to Ghana to escape the civil war. He was born in a refugee camp. When he was five years old his parents got an opportunity that changed their lives: they resettled in Canada. They first arrived in Windsor, Ontario before moving to Edmonton. Alphonso started playing soccer in Edmonton and loved the sport. When he was 14, he was good enough to play at a higher level and moved to Vancouver to join the Whitecaps organization.
He signed a professional contract at age 15 and became the 3rd youngest pro player in MLS history. He joined the Canadian National Team in 2017 and became the youngest goalscorer in Canadian history. In 2019 he signed a five-year deal with Bayern Munich in the German League.
On a snowy November 16th night in 2021 at Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton, Davies helped his team move closer to qualifying in the tournament with an historic win over Mexico. Team Canada head coach John Herdman said of Davies, “He’s smiling, he’s laughing; I mean, who wouldn’t be? It’s a kid’s dream isn’t it?”
Keep Dreaming
Davies says, “A kid born in a refugee camp wasn’t supposed to make it! But here we are GOING TO THE WORLD CUP. Don’t let no one tell you that your dreams are unrealistic. KEEP DREAMING, KEEP ACHIEVING!”
Canada’s 1st match is on Wednesday November 23rd against heavily favoured Belgium. Davies hopes to make his adopted country proud in facing a soccer Goliath.
Thirty-two teams, 64 matches, 29 days. The first World Cup in the Middle East.
Will you be watching the World Cup? Who will score the first goal for Canada? Can Canada get a tie or a win? Please leave a comment below.
Hope grows here. We share stories that inspire people, build faith, and offer lasting purpose.
We’d love to have you Subscribe to REVwords. We’ll put helpful content into your inbox Mondays and Fridays.
