Canada face Qatar in Vancouver with wide-open Group B in focus at World Cup

VANCOUVER, June 16 : Canada and Qatar meet on Thursday with Group B finely poised, setting up a compelling clash in Vancouver where victory would allow either side to claim three vital points and break ahead in the World Cup standings.

Co-hosts Canada arrive following a 1-1 draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto and can expect strong backing once again in Vancouver, having enjoyed vocal home support in their opener in the normally ice hockey-mad nation.

Qatar, hosts in 2022, also began with a 1-1 draw against Switzerland in California.

BC Place stadium has already shown its appetite for the tournament, drawing a strong crowd for Australia's 2-0 win over Turkey, and is expected to provide a vibrant backdrop as the home side chase victory.

Despite still searching for their first World Cup win, Canada will start as favourites. Forward Jonathan David, the nation's all-time leading scorer, will be keen to make a greater impact after substitute Cyle Larin struck in the opener.

The fitness of captain and left-back Alphonso Davies remains a concern for Canada due to a hamstring problem, leaving coach Jesse Marsch with a key selection decision.

Defender Joel Waterman will also hope to feature. He remained on the bench in the opening match, but a game in his home city would carry special significance.

For Qatar, the pursuit of World Cup credibility has been difficult. The team entered this tournament without a win in six matches across the 1986 and 2022 editions.

However, they have already improved on their 2022 campaign - when they finished bottom without a point - and now have an opportunity to build momentum with another positive result.

"The group is wide open," Waterman told reporters. "We want to top the group. The focus has