Canadian midfielder Marcelo Flores was ruled out of the World Cup on Sunday after suffering a knee injury during Saturday’s CONCACAF Champions Cup final, head coach Jesse Marsch confirmed.
Flores, who plays for Mexican side Tigres UANL, suffered a torn ACL during his team’s loss to Deportivo Toluca, Marsch said.
«Obviously we are devastated for him,» Marsch said after confirming the 22-year-old’s exit from the World Cup.
Marsch has not yet decided on a replacement for Flores as he prepares for Canada’s friendly against Uzbekistan in Edmonton on Monday.
Flores formally switched to Canada earlier this year after previously playing for Mexico in friendlies. Flores, born in Canada, became eligible to play for El Tri because of his Mexican father.
Marsch, meanwhile, had a more encouraging injury update on Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies, who was named captain of the Canadian squad on Friday despite a hamstring injury.
«He had an MRI last week and it shows really good progress. He’s usually a good healer, so it’s a good sign,» Marsch said.
Canada, one of three co-hosts of the World Cup, opens its tournament against Bosnia-Herzegovina in Toronto in June, before further Group B matches against Switzerland and Qatar.
Published on June 1, 2026
