Canada host Qatar at BC Place in Vancouver on Matchday 2 of Group B, with both sides desperate to turn their opening draws into something more meaningful. 

Canada salvaged a 1-1 result against Bosnia and Herzegovina thanks to Cyle Larin's 78th-minute equalizer off the bench, while Qatar pulled off one of the tournament's great escapes with a 94th-minute header from captain Boualem Khoukhi to snatch a point against Switzerland.

All four Group B teams sit level on one point, making this a pivotal fixture. A win for Canada in front of a packed home crowd at BC Place (capacity 54,500) would put them on four points with a head-to-head advantage and all but seal a spot in the Round of 32.

For Qatar, the stakes are just as high, but the squad looks undercooked where it matters most.

To celebrate the momentous occasion that is the World Cup, Sportsbet is bringing back its exclusive Super Sub feature!

How does Super Sub work? Well, it’s very simple. Place a bet on select player markets throughout the Men’s World Cup and if that player is subbed off your bet rolls over to the new player that replaced them.

For example, if you’ve bet on Kylian Mbappe to score during one of France’s matches and during that match he fails to do so and is directly substituted for Jean-Philippe Mateta who ends up scoring instead, your original bet on Mbappe is paid as a winner!

Super Sub is not exclusive to goalscoring markets either, it also applies to anytime assist, player to win one or more fouls, shots on target and more, just make sure to read all the T&Cs before locking in your bet.

Canada vs Qatar prediction

Canada to win this one, and win it without conceding. That is our call.

The home advantage here is enormous. Canada are playing a World Cup match on their own turf with a partisan crowd behind them, and that sort of energy tends to suffocate teams who lack the firepower to punch back.

Qatar's two most important attacking players, Almoez Ali and Akram Afif, are both coming back from extended injury absences and managed minimal minutes in 2026 before the tournament kicked off.

Ali had surgery in November last year and featured in roughly two matches before being named in the squad. Afif, a two-time Asian Footballer of the Year, is in a similar boat.

That lack of sharpness showed against Switzerland. Qatar managed just one goal across 90-plus minutes, and it came from a set-piece header deep into stoppage time. In open play, they created next to nothing.

Switzerland racked up expected goals and 26 attempts, absolutely battering them for the best part of the match. The fact Qatar survived owed more to their keeper and a bit of fortune than any defensive masterclass.

Canada, meanwhile, have been defensively solid, keeping 10 clean sheets in their last 15 matches. Jesse Marsch's high-press system is designed to strangle the opposition's build-up play, and against a Qatar side with undercooked forwards and limited creativity, it should be effective.

There is also genuine optimism around Alphonso Davies returning after his hamstring injury. Marsch described the MRI results as "very positive", and if Davies slots back in at left-back, Canada gain a world-class defender and a genuine outlet going forward.

We are backing Canada to win the match result, and we are also taking both teams to score: no.

As our Canada vs Qatar betting odds page shows, Qatar's attacking limitations are real. Their only goal of the tournament came from a last-gasp set piece, not from sustained pressure or clinical finishing. With Canada's defensive structure and home crowd noise making life uncomfortable, Qatar look likely to draw a blank here.

If you're keen to brush up before kickoff, have a squiz at how the markets stack up and get your head around how a multi bet works before you lump a few legs together.

Player markets to watch

Our pick: Jonathan David to score anytime.

Canada's all-time leading scorer with 39 international goals is the obvious go-to. His club form at Juventus has been modest, but international football has always brought out his best. He will be the focal point of Canada's attack against a Qatar defence that conceded 1.56 goals per game through qualifying and was carved open repeatedly by Switzerland.

Our pick: Cyle Larin to score anytime.

Larin changed the match against Bosnia and Herzegovina when he came off the bench and buried the equalizer in the 78th minute. Whether he starts or comes on as an impact sub again, he has a nose for goal at international level and should see plenty of the ball against a tiring Qatar backline in the second half.

Our pick: Akram Afif under 0.5 assists.

Afif racked up 11 assists through qualifying, the most of any player in the Asian confederation, but he is nowhere near full fitness. Limited game time throughout 2026 means his timing and connection with teammates will be off. Against a well-organised Canada press, expect him to be starved of the ball in dangerous areas.

Canada vs Qatar Match Details

Date: Friday, June 19, 2026.

Kick-off: 8:00am AEST.

Location: BC Place, Vancouver.

Where to watch: Sportsbet, SBS.

Where to Watch Canada vs Qatar

For the first time ever, Sportsbet is offering punters the chance to stream World Cup matches live*.

To watch Sportsbet's live streams of the World Cup, you must:

- Be 18+.

- Have a Sportsbet account.

- Be logged into your Sportsbet account.

- Have a positive balance OR have placed a bet in the last 24 hours.

World Cup streaming is available both in-app and on-web. As long as you meet the above requirements, you'll be able to tune in on your computer, tablet or phone.

To access the stream for Canada vs Qatar simply find your way to the official betting page for this match. Or, if you have a bet on the game you can watch from your "My Bets" section.

Traditional World Cup broadcaster SBS is also showing every World Cup match, meaning you can also watch Canada vs Qatar on either SBS, SBS Viceland or SBS On Demand.

*18+ Available to Sportsbet customers only. Conditions apply – see sportsbet.com.au