Herdman: Canada’s road to 2022 and 2026 World Cups starts with Nations League
TORONTO — Head coach John Herdman sees a clear path to the 2022 and 2026 World Cups for Canada’s men’s soccer team, and it begins with the Nations League.
Herdman outlined Canada’s eight-year plan to qualify for the 2026 World Cup on its own merits on Tuesday, even though it could earn an automatic berth as a co-host with Mexico and the United States.
One of Herdman’s first steps is leading Canada to a strong showing in CONCACAF’s Nations League, a new format that will include all of the organization’s 41 member nations.
The Nations League will be divided into three groups and will crown a champion at the end of every competition. It will also serve as a qualifying path for the biennial Gold Cup and is expected to influence seeding in future World Cup qualifying.