Soccer-Canada's World Cup nearly over but new journey set to begin

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Canada Press Conference - Main Media Center, Doha, Qatar - November 30, 2022 Canada coach John Herdman during the press conference REUTERS/Susana Vera

AL RAYYAN, Qatar (Reuters) - For Canada an early exit from the Qatar World Cup will not mark the end but a beginning, the first step for a young group on the road to the 2026 soccer showcase that they will co-host with the United States and Mexico.

With straight losses to Belgium and Croatia the Canadians enter their final Group F match against Morocco on Thursday knowing they are headed home no matter the result. But coach John Herdman made it clear his men still have plenty to play for with one more shot at a historic maiden win.