Canada routed Qatar by a score line of 6-0 to grab their first win at a World Cup . The hosts demolished the 2022 hosts, who ended the game with nine men. Outside of an own goal, the other five goal scorers for Canada all have one thing in common: they have previously, or are currently playing in, the Belgian Pro League.
Lets take the hat trick hero Jonathan David. It was with Gent between 2018 and 2020 that David made a name for himself in European football. Over the course of two seasons and 83 games the Canadian forward helped himself to 37 goals. His 23 goals in the 2019/2020 season earned him a move to Lille, where he once again showed his quality. David spent five successful seasons with Lille, scoring 109 goals in 232 games and winning the Ligue 1 title during the 2020/2021 season. He moved to Juventus last summer but has not experienced as much success in Serie A yet.
Cyle Larin scored the equaliser against Bosnia and Herzegovina on the opening day and was at it again early against Qatar. The 31-year-old currently plays for Southampton, but like David, he has history in the Belgian Pro League. During the 2019/2020 season he spent time on loan at Zulte Waregem from Besiktas, scoring nine goals in 33 games. In 2022 he returned to Belgium after his contract in Istanbul ran out, joining Club Brugge. It did not go well for Larin with limited appearances and just one goal in 13 games. Larin left for Real Valladolid in 2023, spending time with Mallorca and Feyenoord before ending up at Southampton.
The third of the Canadian goal scorers is the only one currently playing in Belgium. Nathan Saliba scored a wonderful free kick for Canada against Qatar, the first of the tournament. Saliba joined Anderlecht from Canada back in the summer of 2025, having left CF Montreal to move to Europe. He scored five goals in 45 games for the Mauves this season. Saliba has played 16 times for Canada and scored three goals, although this third goal will certainly be the best of the bunch.
While not on the scoresheet, another player who had a large impact on the game for Canada was Tajon Buchanan. The winger was electric and caused the Qatari defence all sorts of problems. The 27-year-old, currently at Villareal, moved to Europe from New England Revolution back in 2022. He joined Club Brugge and played 67 games, with five goals seven assists. He earned himself a move to Italy and Inter, but like David, struggled to have an impact in Serie A. He has enjoyed more success in La Liga and is a key player for Canada.
That result is likely to send Canada through to the next round for the first time in their history. If they want to go further, the quarter of players who have graced the Belgian Pro League will be important.
