WATCH: What a local soccer expert has to say about Canada’s World Cup chances

• Canada's first appearance since 1986
• Can Canada progress out of the group stage?
• What this will do for Canada’s soccer status

The wait is finally over. Canada now knows who they’ll play to start the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

On Friday, the draw for play was held in Doha, and Canada's fellow contenders in the initial group phase will be Morocco, Croatia, and the number two ranked team in the world, Belgium.

Canada clinched their first World Cup berth since 1986 after a 4-0 win over Jamaica in Toronto last week. That concluded a highly successful qualifying campaign that has seen the team lose just two matches in 14.

In their last trip to the world’s biggest soccer tournament 36 years ago, Canada played France, Hungary, and the Soviet Union as first-round opponents losing all three matches while being outscored 5-0.

However, Jhon Ardila, Head Coach of the Whitecaps FC BMO Okanagan Academy told Kelowna10 he thinks this team will be much different than 36 years ago.

“Canada has been playing good quality soccer. In addition to that, they’ve developed a good team philosophy,” he said. “Chances are Canada is going to do an amazing job. From the group standpoint I think Canada can qualify for the next round.”

He added the weather conditions in Qatar won’t be a problem for the Canadian team. But says the way they prepare to face some top tier countries will be key.

“There’s going to be a lot of physical, technical preparation, tactical, psychological, and emotional preparation to deal with all those adversities,” Ardila said.

Once this year’s tournament is out of the way, Canada will host the event in 2026 along with Mexico and the United States.

Ardila said between hosting in 2026, and qualifying for this year’s World Cup, that will significantly elevate Canada’s soccer profile.

“It’s going to be amazing, and I think with the experience Canada is going to get in Qatar in 2022, it’s going to impact not only the professional soccer, but soccer of all levels,” he said.

The World Cup in Qatar will be played from Nov. 21 to Dec. 18, 2022.