Canada are desperate to secure a knockout round spot, but are in a vulnerable position, as they take on Cuba in their Gold Cup group stage finale.
John Herdman’s depleted side has only secured a pair of draws against Guadeloupe and Guatemala thus far, leaving them on the outside looking in to the knockout stage spots. However, with both those above them playing each other, Canada likely only need to beat Cuba, who are already eliminated from the competition, to advance.
There are a few doomsday scenarios that would see them fail to advance even with a win, but those are unlikely as they would require a thin victory over Cuba plus a very high-scoring draw between the other nations.
Anything less than victory against Cuba would leave Canada eliminated no matter what else happens above them.
If Canada finish second in the group, they would play the United States in the quarterfinals, in a rematch of the Nations League final from a few weeks ago. If they manage to pummel Cuba and leap both nations in front of them for the top spot, they would take on Jamaica in the quarterfinals. Either way, a difficult challenge looms.
MORE: Updated Gold Cup bracket
Group D standings
| Team | Pts | W-D-L | Goals Scored |
Goal Diff. |
| 1. Guadeloupe | 4 | 1-1-0 | 6 | +3 |
| 2. Guatemala | 4 | 1-1-0 | 1 | +1 |
| 3. Canada | 2 | 0-2-0 | 2 | 0 |
| 4. Cuba-E | 0 | 0-0-2 | 1 | -4 |
E = Eliminated from knockout stage contention
Canada vs Cuba live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch the Canada vs. Cuba match in the United States and Canada.
USA
- Date: Tues, July 4, 2023
- Time (ET): 6:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. PT)
- TV Channel: FS1
- Streaming: Fubo, Fox Sports site/app, ViX
The match between Canada and Cuba will be televised in the United States on FS1, which is available to stream on Fubo, offering a free trial for new users.
Fans can watch the broadcast in Spanish on Univision’s ViX streaming platform with a subscription.
Subscribers to cable, satellite or telco packages can also use their credentials to access a stream on the Fox Sports site or app.
MORE: Watch Premier League matches live with Fubo in USA
Canada
- Date: Tues, July 4, 2023
- Time (ET): 6:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. PT)
- TV channel: Telus Optik TV (Channel 980)
- Streaming: Fubo Canada, OneSoccer site/app
The match will be televised in Canada on Telus Optik TV (Channel 980), where viewers can watch the OneSoccer broadcast.
It will also be streamed on Fubo Canada, as well as on the OneSoccer site and app for subscribers.
What time does Canada vs Cuba kick off?
This Gold Cup group stage match at Shell Energy Stadium kicks off on Tuesday, July 4 at 5:30 p.m. local time in Houston, Texas.
Here’s how that time translates across some of the major time zones in North America:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| Eastern | Tue, July 4 | 6:30 p.m. |
| Central | Tue, July 4 | 5:30 p.m. |
| Mountain | Tue, July 4 | 4:30 p.m. |
| Pacific | Tue, July 4 | 3:30 p.m. |
Canada vs Cuba lineups
Canada’s two attacking stars Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David were released from international duty following their Nations League participation. It seemed some regulars would remain, but most, including Stephen Eustaquio, Alistair Johnston, Ismael Kone, and Sam Adekugbe, eventually were also released. There was also the retirement of Atiba Hutchinson.
Some newcomers have taken the opportunity to step up like Moise Bombito, Ali Ahmed, and Zac McGraw. Bombito has played in two positions for Les Rouges, while Ahmed seemed to tire in the second match after shining in his debut. But based on the lineup from the first two matches, manager John Herdman is likely to rely on his veterans.
Canada projected starting lineup (3-5-2): Borjan (GK) — Bombito, Vitoria, Miller — Laryea, Ahmed, Fraser, Osorio, Millar — Hoilett, Cavallini.
Cuba’s most high-profile player, and one of the few having a solid tournament, is captain Arichel Hernandez, who plays for Guatemalan club Deportivo Mixco. He has the team’s lone goal of the tournament, which came in the 4-1 defeat to Guadeloupe last time out.
But the team was left thin by the departure of four players, who abandoned camp after the first group match against Guatemala, remaining in Miami.
Cuba projected starting lineup (4-3-3): Arozarena (GK) — Perez, Mendes, Cavafe, Corrales — Matos, Piedra, Pozo — Paradela, A. Hernandez, Reyes.
Canada vs Cuba betting odds
Cuba, having already been eliminated from the tournament, have nothing to lose in this match, knowing Canada are vulnerable, but they are still quite heavy underdogs.
| Canada win |
Draw | Cuba win |
Both teams to score Y / N |
Over / Under 3.5 goals |
CAN -2.5 |
CUB +2.5 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BetMGM (USA) |
-1000 | +950 | +1900 | +125 / -175 | -130 / -110 | -120 | -115 |
| Sports Interaction (Canada) |
-909 | +780 | +1800 | +106 / -167 | -128 / +100 | -114 | -111 |