Many Canadian soccer fans have been waiting their whole lives for this moment.

The Canadian team, long relegated to the background by hockey in the country, finds a World Cup for the first time since 1986. It opens on Wednesday against a heavy rival: Belgium, semi-finalists in 2018 and second in the FIFA ranking, behind Brazil.

“We have no more hope, we believe,” said Canadian midfielder Jonathan Osorio. “And we are very confident in ourselves.”

In its only previous appearance at a World Cup, that of Mexico 36 years ago, Canada did not open its scoreboard and suffered three defeats against France, Hungary and the Soviet Union, with a team that included Bob Lenarduzzi, Tino Lettieri and Branko Segota.

Canada is now led by a new generation led by Alphonso Davies, Jonathan David and Cyle Larin. That team finished first in CONCACAF qualifying, a turnaround orchestrated by John Herdman, who led the women’s team to Olympic bronze in 2012 and 2016 and led the men’s team in 2018.

“I think in qualifying we played without fear and we want to do it on the biggest stage,” said midfielder Samuiel Piette. “We don’t want to go back. We want to stand up to Belgium”.

In a Group F comprising Croatia and Morocco, Belgium have been led by Spanish coach Roberto Martínez for seven years. The Red Devils finished third at the World Cup in Russia four years ago and lost to Italy in the Euro quarter-finals last year.

The core of the squad could be at or just after their peak with Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard, both 31; Romelu Lukaku, 29, and Youri Tielemans, who at 25 is part of the next generation.

“Belgium is a small country, you know? So we’re very happy to have that kind of talent,” said defender Toby Alderweireld.

Herdman warns that Belgium come with a lot more experience.

“When you’re up against De Bruyne, Hazard, Lukaku and Thielemans, those players can smell and smell the inexperience of the players and take advantage of it,” Herdman said.

Davies, Canada’s best player, is doubtful after straining his right hamstring in a match against Bayern Munich on November 5.

“We want to show that we are a footballing nation, that we can compete with the best in the world,” Osorio said. “We want to surprise people because I think they keep seeing us as underdogs and things like that, and Canada and the World Cup, they should be happy to be here. But that’s not our mentality. We are here to compete, to compete at a high level.”

WHISTLE

Janny Sikazwe from Zambia will referee the game. In an Africa Cup of Nations match in January, he whistled the end in the 85th minute, picked it up and finished it off for good after 89 minutes and 47 seconds, when around three minutes from additional time were expected.