The countdown to the World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico is on, with less than 80 days to go. 22 countries are still in contention for the final six spots in the expanded 48-team tournament. In Europe, 16 nations will vie for the last four berths, while six teams from other regions will compete for the remaining two spots. These qualifiers will be decided through a series of mini single-elimination tournaments over the next six days, with matches scheduled for Thursday and Tuesday.

Although Canada is not participating in the qualifiers, the country has a vested interest in the outcomes. The results will determine Canada’s opponent in the World Cup opener on June 12 in Toronto, with three qualifying teams set to play group-stage matches in Toronto or Vancouver.

The European qualifying tournaments have divided the 16 hopeful nations into four separate brackets known as “paths.” The winners of the matches on Thursday in each path will face off for a spot in the World Cup on Tuesday.

One of the most compelling paths is Path A, featuring Italy, a four-time World Cup champion striving to avoid missing the tournament for the third consecutive time. Italy, ranked 12th globally, is favored to win the path but faces challenges after a disappointing performance in the previous qualifiers. The Italian team will clash with Northern Ireland in a crucial match on Thursday, with the winner advancing to face either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina for a place in Group B at the World Cup.

In other European paths, teams like Turkey, Denmark, Poland, and Sweden are considered favorites, but the competition remains open. Matches are set to take place in different locations, including neutral grounds due to geopolitical reasons.

In the intercontinental playoffs, teams are grouped differently, with matches played on neutral ground in Mexico. The winners of these paths will join various groups at the World Cup, with Toronto hosting some of the matches.

While Canada awaits its World Cup opponent, the team is gearing up for friendly matches against Iceland and Tunisia in Toronto. The Canadian squad will be missing key players due to injuries, including Alphonso Davies, Alistair Johnston, and Moise Bombito.

The Canadian team is preparing for the upcoming matches as excitement builds for the World Cup in June and July.