Canada unveil 26-man World Cup squad led by Alphonso Davies as co-hosts
Canada have been placed in Group B and will take on Bosnia and Herzegovina on 12 June, Qatar on 18 June, and Switzerland on 24 June. Their opening match will be held in Toronto, whilst the remaining two fixtures will take place in Vancouver.
The squad is dealing with a number of injuries, including captain Alphonso Davies. The Bayern Munich star is currently recovering from a hamstring problem and is unlikely to be available for Canada's World Cup opener.
A preliminary 32 player squad was named earlier this week before the team's friendlies against Uzbekistan on 1 June and the Republic of Ireland on 5 June.
The squad includes 13 players who featured in the 2022 World Cup, making up exactly half of the current lineup.
One of the key uncertainties for the team is the goalkeeper position. Dayne St. Clair and Maxime Crepeau remain in contention for the starting role, with coach Marsch yet to confirm his first choice keeper.
Alistair Johnston, Ritchie Laryea, and Niko Sigur have been chosen as full backs alongside Davies, whilst Zorhan Bassong of Sporting Kansas City has been left out.
The team has opted for five centre backs, with Derek Cornelius and Moise Bombito anticipated to start for Canada, even though both have missed significant portions of the season with their club sides. MLS pair Jamie Knight Lebel and Ralph Priso were not included.
Vice captain Stephen Eustaquio heads the central midfield selection, alongside Toronto FC captain Jonathan Osorio. Eustaquio, currently on loan at LAFC from Porto, is expected to partner Ismael Kone in midfield.
One player whose inclusion was uncertain was Jacob Shaffelburg, who is also returning from injury. He is among five wingers selected, alongside Tajon Buchanan, Marcelo Flores, Liam Millar, and Ali Ahmed. Millar recently earned promotion to the Premier League with Hull City. Jayden Nelson of Austin FC was omitted.
Jonathan David is the most prominent among the four forwards, with Cyle Larin, Tani Oluwaseyi, and Promise David completing the selection. Promise missed a large part of the second half of the season in Belgium after undergoing surgery.
It had been thought that Preston North End's Daniel Jebbison would also be included, but ultimately he and Jacen Russell Rowe have not made the squad.
Canada will be aiming to secure their first ever points in a World Cup match, having lost all three group stage fixtures in both 1986 and 2022.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Dayne St. Clair (Inter Miami), Maxime Crepeau (Orlando SC), Owen Goodman (Barnsley)
Defenders: Alistair Johnston (Celtic), Derek Cornelius (Rangers), Ritchie Laryea (Toronto FC), Niko Sigur (Hajduk Split), Joel Waterman (Chicago Fire), Luc De Fougerolles (Dender), Moise Bombito (OGC Nice), Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich), Alfie Jones (Middlesbrough)
Midfielders: Stephen Eustaquio (Los Angeles FC), Ismael Kone (Sassuolo), Tajon Buchanan (Villarreal), Mathieu Choiniere (Los Angeles FC), Ali Ahmed (Norwich City), Nathan Saliba (Anderlecht), Liam Millar (Hull City), Marcelo Flores (Tigres), Jacob Shaffelburg (Los Angeles FC), Jonathan Osorio (Toronto FC)
Forwards: Jonathan David (Juventus), Cyle Larin (Southampton), Tani Oluwaseyi (Villarreal), Promise David (Union Saint Gilloise)
Fixtures