The FIFA Club World Cup, taking place in America right now, is making a lot of headlines.
It’s crazy to think that many Celtic players have returned to pre-season, yet some players haven’t even concluded the 2024/25 campaign because of this much-talked-about Club World Cup.
Whether you like it or not, one thing it is doing is providing everyone with a flavour of what is to come when the 2026 World Cup gets underway next summer – from the types of pitches to the weather.
Several Celtic stars will be hoping to feature, as the United States of America will be the main hosts, and they will be aided by Canada and Mexico.
Whilst some Celtic players, and their nations, still need to qualify for world football’s biggest stage, for someone like Alistair Johnston, it’s a free pass into the big time and his second appearance on the grand stage.
- READ MORE: Alistair Johnston shares what he noticed about the Bayern Munich players, wants Celtic to do it
Celtic’s Alistair Johnston to be ‘one of the faces’ of the 2026 World Cup for Canada
Nations or co-hosts get automatic qualification into the World Cup, and Canada are no different as all of their group games will be staged on home soil.
That’s a big thing for someone like Johnston, and speaking to the OneScocer YouTube channel in Canada, he was told by the presenter, Kristian Jack, just what he means to the nation.
As per, Johnston was being modest and respectful, including stating how he is ‘lucky’ to be in his position, but he was told that Canada are the ‘lucky’ ones, and he will be ‘one of the faces’ of their World Cup campaign.
“When you said you are lucky,” said Jack. “Canada is lucky and blessed to have you, my friend.
“You said you were only famous within 20 miles (of Glasgow). I think you are going to be one of the faces of this country next year, so get used to that. Appreciate you. Thank you.”
How did Johnston fare the last time he was at the World Cup?
Johnston has participated in the Gold Cup, as well as the Copa America for Canada, but nothing comes close to the FIFA World Cup and the pressure.
Plus, the right-back is one of the lucky ones, because during the peak of his powers, he is going to play in one on home soil, and it doesn’t get better than that.
But Johnston will be hoping for a far different outcome than the one he experienced and suffered at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
- Games: 3
- Starts: 3
- Team goals: 2
- Goals conceded: 7
- Clean Sheets: 0
- Wins: 0
- Draws: 0
- Losses: 3
- End result: Group stage exit
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