Canada’s 2026 World Cup squad is finally here.
Jesse Marsch has chosen the 26 players who will represent Les Rouges in their biggest World Cup ever: on home soil, with an expectant nation following them and with stated goals of becoming the first Canadian team to reach the knockout round.
A total of 13 players from the 2022 World Cup team that lost all three games return for the 2026 squad, including stars such as Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies, Jonathan David from Juventus and Villarreal winger Tajon Buchanan.
There is an injection of youthful hopefuls in the squad, including Hajduk Split defensive midfielder and right-back Niko Sigur and Nice centre-back Moise Bombito. All in all, Canada could benefit from having an equal balance between veterans and youthful hopefuls eager to make their mark on Canadian soccer. Some of those players who had recently made impressions on Marsch, including Vancouver Whitecaps defender Ralph Priso and Toulouse forward Jacen Russell-Rowe, will be disappointed to have missed out on the final squad.
Here, The Athletic’s Canada soccer reporter Joshua Kloke outlines what you need to know about all 26 players’ respective games right now and why they have done enough to get the call to the most anticipated Canadian squad ever.
Goalkeepers
Maxime Crepeau
Club: Orlando City
Age: 32
Caps: 30
Major tournaments (World Cup, Copa America, Gold Cup): 2
Crepeau has long been Canada’s goalkeeper-in-waiting. After missing out on the 2022 World Cup because of a broken leg sustained in his final club game before the tournament, the veteran gets his deserved chance to finally start in a World Cup game. Crepeau is more of a strong tactical organizer and ball distributor than an athletic shot-stopper, but those are qualities Marsch wants in his goalkeepers. Let’s not forget that Crepeau was outstanding in Canada’s Copa America opener against Argentina. That performance got Canada started on the right foot.
The number of goals he has conceded this season have hit Crepeau hard after his off-season move to Orlando: his 3.27 goals against per 90 minutes is the most in MLS. Yet part of that is down to Orlando’s frail defensive state. Crepeau has faced the second-most shots on target (103) in MLS this season and has also made the third-most saves (62) of any goalkeeper in the league.
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Multiple Canadian players have described playing in front of Crepeau as a “calming” experience. At a home World Cup in which the pressure on this Canadian side will be more intense than ever before, Crepeau’s presence will be of the utmost importance on the pitch.
Dayne St. Clair
Club: Inter Miami
Age: 29
Caps: 19
Major tournaments: 4
After a surprising move to Inter Miami ahead of this season, St. Clair has not returned to the highs he hit during the 2025 MLS season when he was named Goalkeeper of the Year. St. Clair is still very much a commanding presence at the back who can use his reach and frame to make important saves. Those types of saves just have not come as often this season. His save percentage dropped to 63.1 per cent, eighth-worst among MLS goalkeepers.
He’s still a key part of this Canadian side. While it was easy to assume in 2025 that St. Clair would be the starter during the World Cup and beyond, that’s not as much of a sure thing this year.
Owen Goodman
Club: Barnsley (on loan from Crystal Palace)
Age: 22
Caps: 0
Major tournaments: 0
If all goes according to plan, Goodman will not play a minute of the World Cup. However, if all goes according to plan, he will play multiple World Cups for Canada in the future. That’s how highly regarded the Crystal Palace shot-stopper is within the national team’s ranks.
The former England Under-20 goalkeeper flew from England to Canada for a day to take his citizenship oath and has since become a constant as the squad’s third choice. Through multiple recent loan deals, including to Huddersfield Town and Barnsley, Goodman’s game has had dips but he has still taken steps towards eventually becoming Canada’s top goalkeeper. His range and intelligence stand out. This World Cup will be about studying and becoming comfortable in the environment. Once Goodman (possibly) graduates to becoming Palace’s number 1, Canada will benefit.
Defenders
Moise Bombito
Club: Nice
Age: 26
Caps: 19
Major tournaments: 2
If Bombito can hit full fitness after fracturing his left tibia and not having played since October, Canada’s World Cup hopes will look very different. That’s how important the uber-athletic and dominant centre-back is to this team. His pace and strength enable him to shut down opposition attacks with ease. That, in turn, enables Canada to confidently play a high line and press higher up the pitch, which is a crucial part of their tactical set-up. Combined with his ability to dribble out of the back or play a smart, long pass, it’s clear why Bombito is one of the better centre-backs in Concacaf.
Again, if his recovery is where it needs to be, the rest of the world will learn why. Until he plays, that will be a big ‘if’ and one that will hang over Canada early on at the World Cup.
Alphonso Davies
Club: Bayern Munich
Age: 25
Caps: 58
Major tournaments: 4
Davies remains a star outside of Canada. Not long ago he was considered one of the best left-backs in the world. The pace, the athleticism, the dribbling, the attacking mindset, the charm: it all made Davies a budding household name.
Yet that quality he’s shown for Bayern Munich hasn’t always translated with Canada. There have been games he’s won on his own for his national side, and others in which his impact has been muted. Recently, he’s been beset by injuries and has not played for his country since March 2025.
If Davies is fit enough to play, he can turn Canada into a more fluid attacking team. It might not be until later in the tournament that we see that form from Davies in the World Cup.
Richie Laryea
Club: Toronto FC
Age: 31
Caps: 73
Major tournaments: 5
Laryea defines Canada’s team in more ways than one: he can defend with aggression and purpose. Across the pitch, the spirited and trusted defender plays with an edge that Marsch wants from his entire team. Laryea can move the attack forward well with his dribbling prowess and is capable of sending a quality cross into Canada’s attackers.
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Yet his technical abilities — valuable as they are — are secondary to the spirit and grit that he never fails to show. That’s why Marsch will have to find a way to get Laryea into a starting spot, regardless of whether Alphonso Davies is ready to start at left-back for Canada. Laryea was Canada’s best player in 2025 because of his consistency. He can play centre-back and right-back, too. If he’s healthy and recovered from his thigh injury, there is a growing case to be made that Laryea is actually Canada’s best left-back right now.
Niko Sigur
Club: Hajduk Split
Age: 22
Caps: 17
Major tournaments: 2
Versatility, competitiveness and intelligence: everything Marsch wants in a soccer player, Sigur has shown for Canada since switching from Croatia in 2024. And in the process, Sigur has become one of Canada’s most important young players. Whether in a holding midfield or right-back role, Sigur can confidently press and then move the ball forward with equal parts precision and creativity. Sigur is due for a move up the club football ladder, and a strong impression at the World Cup would help that move. It’s not unlikely that Sigur earns a start at right-back during the World Cup.
He’s had some stumbles for Canada, but Sigur’s high-end soccer brain means he’s processed those hurdles well and can quickly move on from challenges.
Alistair Johnston
Club: Celtic
Age: 27
Caps: 56
Major tournaments: 4
There is a core of Canadians who were depended on heavily during the 2022 World Cup and are expected to learn from that disappointing experience. Johnston is at the forefront of that group. The experienced defender is a vocal leader on and off the pitch. One of Canada’s struggles in Qatar was with game management: they were outclassed by more cunning sides. Johnston, a physical right-back, can lead the charge for Canada in terms of playing aggressive soccer while not leaning too much on emotion as Canada has in the past.
Alistair Johnston is one of Canada’s leaders on the field (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
Johnston has captained Celtic and will be one of the Canadian players expected to manage the nerves that will come with the start of the tournament. He’s battled a lingering hamstring injury through most of the club season but will be fit for the World Cup.
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Derek Cornelius
Club: Rangers (On loan from Olympique Marseille)
Age: 28
Caps: 42
Major tournaments: 4
Cornelius has been a staple of Canada’s back-line under Marsch and with good reason. He’s a safe and effective defender who can transition from defence to attack smoothly. When Canada has needed Cornelius, he’s answered the call, often through a long and winding club career.
Right now, Cornelius’ club game isn’t where he wants it to be: after a summer 2025 loan from Marseille to Scotland’s Rangers to gain more playing time, Cornelius has not played in Scotland’s Premiership since November. That’s been because of a combination of a muscle injury and then not being named to squads by Rangers manager Danny Rohl. Cornelius has been training regularly with Rangers’ reserve team to maintain his fitness. While Cornelius will start throughout the World Cup, his lack of club games could impact his sharpness during the tournament.
Luc de Fougerolles
Club: Dender (On loan from Fulham)
Age: 20
Caps: 11
Major tournaments: 2
When Marsch was putting together his starting lineup for Canada’s third-place game in Copa America, then-18-year-old centre-back Luc de Fougerolles was one of the first names on his team sheet. At that point, De Fougerolles had appeared only once as a substitute for Canada and had made just one senior team appearance for Fulham. That didn’t matter to Marsch: he saw the intensity De Fougerolles trained and played with, his propensity to throw crunching tackles and take brave risks going forward and thought he might have the future of Canada’s back line ready to go.
De Fougerolles impressed and has continued to do so in a Canada shirt. In his first full season of men’s soccer, on loan in Belgium, De Fougerolles has continued to show the fearlessness that embodies the modern centre-back.
Luc de Fougerolles is an emerging talent in the Canada side (Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
De Fougerolles, like many on Canada’s back line, has struggled with injuries as of late. If he is fully fit, De Fougerolles could be in line for a surprise start. He’s rated just that highly and is trusted to change a game, despite his relative inexperience.
Joel Waterman
Club: Chicago Fire
Age: 30
Caps: 17
Major tournaments: 3
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Waterman is a terrific soldier for Canada. Though he might be down the centre-back depth chart and starts, or even playing time, might be hard to come by, Waterman constantly delivers spirited performances in training sessions. He raises the bar of what’s expected for Canada and has become a well-liked member of the squad off the pitch.
If called upon, expect solid, unglamorous performances. Yet it’s Waterman’s reliability that has kept him in the Canadian fold, camp after camp. Waterman was a member of the 2022 World Cup squad. Given his rise from the Canadian Premier League, he should serve as an example to young Canadian players.
Alfie Jones
Club: Middlesbrough
Age: 28
Caps: 1
Major tournaments: 0
Despite not having played since December because of an ankle injury and ensuing surgery — and only logging one Canada cap before that — Jones makes Marsch’s team. The English-born dual national was heavily recruited by Marsch and first debuted in November after a lengthy process to secure citizenship.
You can see why Marsch wanted Jones: he is just that reliable, poised and skilful around the goal and if he’s near full fitness, will be counted on by Marsch to settle worrisome situations in Canada’s box. Whether Jones attains that fitness is the question to be answered early in the World Cup.
Midfielders
Ismael Kone
Club: Sassuolo
Age: 23
Caps: 38
Major tournaments: 3
No more false starts: Kone appears ready to elevate his game at the international level for good this time and showcase why he’s long looked capable of becoming the best central midfielder to ever play for Canada.
Those are lofty expectations but Kone’s quality and ability to execute as a high-end box-to-box midfielder has never been more evident than this season as Sassuolo. After a failed stint at Marseille and a Copa America in which he failed to live up to those expectations, Kone is playing with newfound power and joy in his game.
His form might be the best of any Canadian right now. Kone’s elite offensive instincts are constantly evident. There are times he looks more like a true No 10 than a No 8, until you see him sprinting back and challenging the opposition defensively.
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This summer, Canada will lean on Kone. He could show the rest of the world why they’re doing just that.
Stephen Eustaquio
Club: Los Angeles FC (On loan from Porto)
Age: 29
Caps: 54
Major tournaments: 3
The intelligent midfield maestro might not be as speedy and agile as he was leading up to the 2022 World Cup. But he’s still vital to Canada’s midfield. The anchor who plays just in front of the defenders has one of the best brains on the team.
With his innate leadership abilities — Eustaquio will serve as captain if Alphonso Davies is not fit to play — the LAFC man knows how to move the chess pieces around the board.
Marcelo FloresClub: Tigres UANLAge: 22Caps: 2Major tournaments: 0
There was a time, under previous head coach John Herdman, that Flores was the dual national recruit Canada was hoping to land. The Canadian-born son of a former Mexican pro, Flores developed in Arsenal’s academy and was seen as the missing creative attacking piece on Canada’s 2022 roster. Flores instead pivoted to Mexico’s national team and was capped by the senior side. His case for Canada was thought to be closed, but Flores switched because he had only made three appearances before the age of 21.
Marcelo Flores brings creativity to Canada’s midfield (Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
Marsch was instrumental in landing Flores and you can see why: he uses his smallish frame to swerve in and out of traffic, always maintaining control of the ball. Flores’ wild creativity manifests in his strong dribbling quality and ability to make a scintillating pass near the opposition box. Flores is as close to a pure, old school No 10 as Canada has had in recent memory and could sway a skeptical fanbase in the process.
Tajon Buchanan
Club: Villarreal
Age: 27
Caps: 58
Major tournaments: 4
Canada’s best player at the 2022 World Cup has a chance to repeat himself four years later. Scoring chances are never far away when Buchanan is sniffing around goal. When Buchanan gets the ball in wide areas and puts his foot on the pedal, there are few players like him in Concacaf.
His pace and outlandish quality on the ball give him the ability to constantly attack the goal.
Liam Millar
Club: Hull City
Age: 26
Caps: 39
Major tournaments: 4
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One of Marsch’s more trusted players, Millar has transformed himself after a devastating ACL tear in 2024. Once a straight-line winger, Millar has become more well-rounded and defensively resolute.
Millar’s speed is still evident, even if he is often used in a substitute role. But with the fluctuation and injury concerns on Canada’s left side of the pitch, Millar could be in line for a start for Canada, especially because he comes into the tournament brimming with confidence after helping Hull reach the Premier League through the play-offs.
Ali Ahmed
Club: Norwich
Age: 25
Caps: 24
Major tournaments: 3
Ahmed has taken an unconventional journey to the World Cup, paying his way to Europe and staying in hostels while trialling with clubs in Portugal. But he has flourished under Marsch. Ahmed was once a spindly winger with the Vancouver Whitecaps. With a recent transfer to Norwich City, he’s since grown into a more well-rounded midfielder. Ahmed’s passing abilities should have him as a starter for Canada, provided he has fully recovered from a recent injury.
Ali Ahmed has developed into a well-rounded midfielder (Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
Nathan Saliba
Club: RSC Anderlecht
Age: 22
Caps: 13
Major tournaments: 1
If you were to pick a Canadian who could become the surprise of this World Cup, Saliba would be high on the list. He’s a swift-moving midfielder who can be effective as a No 6 or a No 8 and can keep opposition defenses on their toes, no matter what. After moving to Belgium from MLS, Saliba has better understood how to effectively find the right pass from deep in his half instead of the hurried one. Though Saliba might not start, he could be first off the bench in Canada’s central midfield.
Jonathan Osorio
Club: Toronto FC
Age: 33
Caps: 89
Major tournaments: 9
Osorio has moved from a key cog in the middle of Canada’s set-up, who scored and created important goals in Canada’s 2022 World Cup qualifying run and then played in all three World Cup games, to a veteran presence. In fairness to Osorio, he is enjoying a great, near-renaissance season with Toronto FC.
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He can very much operate Canada’s attacking midfield if called upon. But with 89 caps for Canada, second all-time, he’s become more of a behind-the-scenes leader, building Canada’s culture for the better.
Jacob Shaffelburg
Club: Los Angeles FC
Age: 26
Caps: 31
Major tournaments: 3
The Maritime Messi makes his World Cup debut. Shaffelburg is a relentless winger who first won over Marsch with his pace, fearlessness and ability to press opposition defenders. His form has dropped off both for club and country since his highs of the 2024 Copa America. Plus, Shaffelburg’s leg injury kept him out of training though much of Canada’s training camp. Will he be ready to go? Marsch is a believer.
Mathieu Choiniere
Club: Los Angeles FC
Age: 27
Caps: 22
Major tournaments: 2
A set-piece wizard who can quietly, but efficiently, operate the middle of the park for Canada. Marsch is a fan of Choiniere’s work ethic and approach and could lean on him to thread a few needles in the attack.
Forwards
Jonathan David
Club: Juventus
Age: 26
Caps: 75
Major tournaments: 4
Canada’s most important player. The squad’s talisman often drops deep into the midfield and uses his creativity to assist in the build up, before finding the right space to finish chances. David’s 39 goals for Canada are the most in the nation’s history. For a team that struggles to score as well as it defends, David’s quality around the box will ensure he plays nearly every minute this World Cup. David scored Canada’s lone goal in the group stage at the 2024 Copa America.
His first season at Juventus was up-and-down but there’s no doubting David’s mentality heading into his second World Cup. The player known as ‘Iceman’ in Canada lets nothing faze him and likely won’t during the tournament. David makes his teammates better and the dynamic, intelligent forward will have to once again.
Cyle Larin
Club: Southampton (on loan from Mallorca)
Age: 31
Caps: 88
Major tournaments: 7
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One of Canada’s veterans, this season Larin has gone from an often under-appreciated forward into one of the team’s most in-form players with his loan move to Southampton. With a return to his clinical best in front of goal, Larin scored nine times in 22 appearances for Southampton. That’s one goal every 128 minutes, which Canada would certainly welcome at the World Cup. The confidence Larin has regained sees him defending and pressing with more tenacity and pushing himself in training.
Not long ago, Larin’s grip on the second forward starting spot for Canada was tenuous. He’s since grabbed the spot with both hands and it doesn’t appear as if he will let go this summer.
Tani Oluwaseyi
Club: Villarreal
Age: 26
Caps: 22
Major tournaments: 2
A relentless, straight-line forward, Oluwaseyi brings a completely different profile to Canada’s other forwards. He’s nimble, quick and is constantly on the move. Oluwaseyi can fulfil Marsch’s pressing demands. What he has struggled to do as of late for Canada, and for club, is fill the back of the net.
Promise David
Club: Union SG
Age: 24
Caps: 8
Major tournaments: 1
There’s no other player like Promise David on Canada’s squad. And, really, there’s never been a player like him ever for Canada. David was originally a product of the Toronto FC academy before moving to the lower levels of Croatia, Malta, Estonia and, finally, Belgium. All along, he has not lost his exuberant personality that makes him the centre of attention in any room.
Promise David offers different qualities to Canada’s other forwards (Rich Lam/Getty Images)
David is a physical specimen, standing at 6ft 4in. He bulldozes through the box to finish his chances: he scored in his first two appearances for Canada in 2025, and scored in his first ever Champions League game as well.
February hip surgery looked to have ruled David out of the World Cup. But he battled back and Marsch has always been up front about his desire to keep a place for him in the squad. That’s because he makes the most of his opportunities and his profile could overwhelm defenders.