It will be No. 1 vs. No. 2 going head-to-head at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. It's no surprise that Mexico (seven points) is leading the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying table, but no one expected Canada (five points) to be right behind after three games. The Canadians can overtake them in the standings with an upset victory.
Mexico is the overwhelming favorite in their home stadium, which will be open to 75 percent capacity. And the return from injury of attacking stars Raul Jimenez and Hirving "Chucky" Lozano should give them a boost. But this is a new era of Canadian soccer led by Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies, and Les Rouges gave Mexico fits in their last meeting in the CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinal. The Mexican side still won, but it needed a 99th-minute stoppage time goal to do it.
Canada national team manager John Herdman has injected a real belief into his squad that the nation's first berth in the World Cup finals since 1986 is a real possibility. His counterpart with Mexico, Gerardo "Tata" Martino, is aware of the chip that Canada carries on its shoulder, and he has made it clear that his team will be game-planning for the visitors' game-breaking speed. It sets up for a fascinating battle.
MORE: First Premier League goal by Raul Jimenez since injury
Sporting News will be following the event live and providing score updates.
Mexico vs. Canada live score
| 1H | 2H | Final | |
| Mexico | — | — | — |
| Canada | — | — | — |
Goals: None
Mexico vs. Canada updates & highlights
Standings and schedule: Updated World Cup qualifying table
(All times Eastern)
6:22 p.m.: It has nearly been a year (last Nov. 14) since these three played together for Mexico:
Vuelve el tridente después de casi un año 🙏
— Futbol Picante (@futpicante) October 7, 2021
Corona, Lozano y Jiménez no jugaban juntos con el Tri desde el 14 de noviembre ante Corea del Sur ⚽https://t.co/gGLluTOF9J pic.twitter.com/KhNnhKD4yN
Mexico vs. Canada lineups
Tata Martino has options, especially at forward. But everyone wants to see a specific attacking trident get the start.
Mexico projected starting lineup (4-3-3, left to right): Guillermo "Memo" Ochoa-GK — Jesus Gallardo, Nestor Araujo, Cesar Montes, Jorge Sanchez — Hector Herrera, Edson Alvarez, Luis Romo — Jesus "Tecatito" Corona, Raul Jimenez, Hirving "Chucky" Lozano
Mexico projected subs: Rodolfo Cota-GK, Jonathan Orozco-GK, Alfredo Talavera-GK, Hector Moreno, Johan Vasquez, Julio Cesar Dominguez, Luis "Chaka" Rodriguez, Osvaldo Rodriguez, Sebastian Cordova, Andres Guardado, Carlos "Charly" Rodriguez, Jonathan Dos Santos, Orbelin Pineda, Alexis Vega, Uriel Antuna, Rogelio Funes Mori, Henry Martin
Herdman confirmed that Atiba Hutchinson, Cyle Larin and Lucas Cavallini have still not recovered from knocks and missed the trip to Mexico. While Herdman is still hopeful he could get the trio back at some point to play in this October window, Canada will definitely be without starting goalkeeper Milan Borjan, who's still recovering from COVID-19.
Junior Hoilett and David Wotherspoon also did not travel with the Canadian team to Mexico due to strict UK quarantine requirements for travelers to Mexico City that would have kicked in upon their return to their Britain-based clubs. Scott Kennedy was not called up due to injury.
Canada projected starting lineup (3-5-2, left to right): Maxime Crepeau-GK — Kamal Miller, Steven Vitoria, Alistair Johnston — Samuel Adekugbe, Mark-Anthony Kaye, Stephen Eustaquio, Jonathan Osorio, Richie Laryea — Alphonso Davies, Jonathan David
Canada projected subs: James Pantemis-GK, Dayne St. Clair-GK, Derek Cornelius, Doneil Henry, Zachary Brault-Guillard, Liam Fraser, Samuel Piette, Charles-Andreas Brym, Tajon Buchanan, Liam Millar, Jacob Shaffelburg
How to watch Mexico vs. Canada in USA
- Date: Thursday, Oct. 7
- Time: 9:30 p.m. ET
- TV channel: Univision, TUDN
- Streaming: fuboTV, Paramount+
The match will be broadcast in the USA by Univision and TUDN in Spanish. Both channels are available to stream on fuboTV with a free 7-day trial available to new users. It will be available in English on CBS streaming platform Paramount+.
The Estadio Azteca in Mexico City will be at 75 percent capacity for the match, the highest cap permitted post-pandemic.
Mexico vs. Canada: Betting odds & prediction
Odds courtesy of DraftKings
Pick: Canada +1 Asian Handicap (-125)
This is a different Canada side, and as long as Alphonso Davies, Jonathan David and Stephen Eustaquio are out there, Les Rouges are capable of scoring — and even winning — despite what history says (three wins in 36 all-time meetings and never in Mexico).
For those feeling extra daring, there are plenty of bold wagering opportunities: Canada double chance (i.e., win or tie at +145) or the Canada double chance parlayed with the over 1.5 total goals (+245). But we’ll play it safer with a recommendation of the Canada +1 Asian Handicap at -125 and shrinking by the hour. If Canada loses by a goal, the wager qualifies as a push. A Canada draw or victory, and you're a winner.
Prediction: Mexico 1, Canada 1
- Moneyline: Mexico -190/Draw +290/Canada +500
- Spread: Mexico -0.5 (-190)/Canada +0.5 (+140)
- O/U 2.5 total goals: Over +110/Under -140
- Both teams to score: Yes +115/No -155