As co-hosts of the 2026 World Cup, Canada qualified automatically and did not need to take part in the CONCACAF qualification process. To stay competitive, the team kept busy with friendlies, posting a record of six wins, five draws, and one loss last year, followed by two draws in their two matches this year. Their most recent competitive outing was the 2025 Gold Cup, where they reached the quarterfinals before falling to Guatemala on penalties. With home advantage on their side, Canada will enter the tournament full of enthusiasm.
The squad is led by full-back Alphonso Davies, though an ongoing hamstring injury will likely rule him out of Canada's opening match. Returning veterans from the Qatar 2022 campaign include forwards Jonathan David and Cyle Larin. To widen his selection pool, coach Marsch called up several dual nationals he has worked with in recent years, including defenders Alfie Jones, Luc de Fougerolles, and Niko Sigur, as well as forward Promise David. Other key names in the squad include Tajon Buchanan, Jacob Shaffelburg, and Jonathan Osorio.
Two notable omissions are Kamal Miller and Junior Hoilett. Miller was a fixture during Canada's remarkable 2022 qualifying campaign and played every minute of the team's three matches at Qatar 2022. However, Marsch viewed his lack of pace as a liability, and a poor March international break for the 29-year-old ended his hopes, as he was not even invited to the expanded pre-World Cup training camp. Hoilett, who will turn 36 by the time the tournament begins, always faced long odds of making the cut.
Canada has been drawn into Group B alongside Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, and Switzerland. The Canucks open their World Cup on June 12 against Bosnia and Herzegovina at BMO Field in Toronto, Ontario. They then face Qatar on June 18 at BC Place in Vancouver, where they will remain for their final group stage match against Switzerland on June 24. Before the tournament begins, Canada will play two friendlies, facing Uzbekistan on June 1 and the Republic of Ireland four days later in Quebec.
Canada 2026 World Cup Squad:
Goalkeepers: Maxime Crépeau (Orlando City), Owen Goodman (Barnsley, on loan from Crystal Palace), Dayne St. Clair (Inter Miami)
Defenders: Moise Bombito (OGC Nice), Derek Cornelius (Rangers, on loan from Marseille), Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich) Luc de Fougerolles (FCV Dender, on loan from Fulham), Alistair Johnston (Celtic), Alfie Jones (Middlesbrough), Richie Laryea (Toronto FC), Niko Sigur (Hajduk Split), Joel Waterman (Chicago Fire)
Midfielders: Ali Ahmed (Norwich City), Tajon Buchanan (Villarreal), Mathieu Choinière (Los Angeles FC), Stephen Eustaquio (Porto), Marcelo Flores (Tigres UANL), Ismael Kone (Sassuolo), Liam Millar (Hull City), Jonathan Osorio (Toronto FC), Nathan Saliba (RSC Anderlecht), Jacob Shaffelburg (Los Angeles FC)
Forwards: Jonathan David (Juventus), Cyle Larin (Southampton, on loan from RCD Mallorca), Tani Oluwaseyi (Villarreal), Promise David (Union SG)
