Canada Soccer has officially unveiled the 26-man squad that will compete in next month's FIFA World Cup. Head coach Jesse Marsch's side features a mix of youth and experience, with 13 players returning from the last World Cup in Qatar.
Group Stage Details
Canada will compete in Group B alongside Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, and Switzerland. The CanMNT opens its campaign on June 12 against Bosnia and Herzegovina at Toronto Stadium. The team will then relocate to Vancouver for its remaining two group-stage matches: facing Qatar on June 18 and concluding against Switzerland on June 24.
Roster Formation
The final squad was pared down from a 32-man player pool announced earlier this week. Players who attended the pre-tournament training camp in Charlotte but did not make the final cut include:
Defenders: Zorhan Bassong (Sporting Kansas City), Jamie Knight-Lebel (Bristol City, loan to Swindon Town), Ralph Priso (Vancouver Whitecaps)
Midfielders: Jayden Nelson (Austin FC)
Forwards: Daniel Jebbison (Preston North End, loan from Bournemouth), Jacen Russell-Rowe (Toulouse)
Goalkeeping Corps
Three keepers were selected for the final squad:
- Maxime Crépeau (Orlando City)
- Owen Goodman (Barnsley, loan from Crystal Palace)
- Dayne St. Clair (Inter Miami)
Crépeau and St. Clair will compete for the starting role. They will split duty in a friendly against Uzbekistan in Edmonton on June 1, serving as a final audition. The confirmed starter will then play the full match against Ireland in Montreal on June 5—the team's final tune-up before the tournament.
Defensive Outlook
Canada's backline has been impacted by injuries this season, but key players passed late fitness tests and are cleared to play.
Centre-backs: Moïse Bombito (Nice), Alfie Jones (Middlesbrough), Derek Cornelius (Rangers, loan from Marseille), Alistair Johnston (Celtic), Luc de Fougerolles (Dender, loan from Fulham), Richie Laryea (Toronto FC), Niko Sigur (Hajduk Split), Joel Waterman (Chicago Fire)
Centre-backs Moïse Bombito and Alfie Jones have not played for their clubs since October and December respectively, but are cleared for World Cup duty.
Captain's Status
Captain Alphonso Davies can be deployed at left-back orfurther up the pitch, but Marsch remains uncertain about his availability timeline. The 25-year-old Edmonton native suffered a hamstring injury in Bayern Munich's Champions League semifinal second leg against Paris Saint-Germain in early May. His initial prognosis indicated a four-to-five-week recovery, which would place him into the first week of the tournament. Marsch noted he does not expect Davies to be fit for the opening match.
Midfield Selection
Canada's midfield features both flair and skill:
Central midfielders: Stephen Eustáquio (Porto, loan at LAFC), Ismaël Koné (Sassuolo), Nathan Salpia (Anderlecht), Liam Millar (Hull City), Jonathan Osborne (Toronto FC), Mathieu Choinière (LAFC)
Wingers: Jacob Shaffelburg (LAFC), Tajon Buchanan (Villarreal), Ali Ahmed (Norwich City), Marcelo Flores (Tigres)
Forward Corps
Union SG's Promise David was initially touch-and-go for the World Cup after incurring a serious hip injury in February that required surgery. The 24-year-old Brampton, Ontario native recovered ahead of schedule and passed a late medical clearance.
The remaining forwards include:
- Jonathan David (Juventus)
- Cyle Larin (Southampton, loan from Mallorca)
- Tani Oluwaseyi (Villarreal)
World Cup History
Heading into its third World Cup appearance, Canada is still seeking its first victory. Should the CanMNT advance past the group stage, its first knockout-round match could also be hosted in Vancouver. Tournament matches are scheduled across Toronto and Vancouver venues.