Wotherspoon set for World Cup as Canada qualify for Qatar

Canada have ended their 36-year wait for a World Cup appearance after sealing qualification in style with one match to spare.

The Canadians defeated Jamaica 4-0 at BMO Field in Toronto to assure they are one of at least three CONCACAF nations to be present in Qatar at the end of the year.

Goals from Cyle Larin, Tajon Buchanan, Junior Hoilett and an own goal from Adrian Mariappa sealed victory on a famous night for Canada, who will be making only their second appearance at the finals.

They sit top of their final qualification group with a match to spare and cannot be removed from the top three.

Head coach John Herdman, who is from England and last worked in Britain 20 years ago at Sunderland's youth academy, said: "We just qualified for the World Cup, this is a legit football country.

"When I first took over and I said, 'We're going to qua lify for the World Cup', I don't think they believed us. I'm happy for them because all of these fans have waited and waited and waited, and hung in with us and we're going.

“I think this country never believed in us because we've given them nothing to believe in. They believe now.

“This is the time for everyone to get behind football and unite because we can be a powerhouse.”

Canada have Scottish representation in St Johnstone midfielder David Wotherspoon, although Rangers’ Scott Arfield called time on his international career back in January after winning 19 caps for his country. They will hope to perform better than they did at Mexico 86, when they finished bottom of their group and did not score a goal.

The race to join Canada from the CONCACAF region concludes later this week, with the United States and Mexico in pole position to take the remaining two automatic spots.

Mexico need to avoid defeat at home to El Salvador, while the US will qualify as long as they do not lose by five goals at fourth-placed Costa Rica.

Los Ticos look set to contest a play-off against the winner of tomorrow’ s final of Oceania qualifying between the Solomon Islands and New Zealand.