Canada FIFA World Cup 2026 — Les Rouges are hoping to make history on home soil

A lot has changed for Canada since it played last edition. The North Americans played only their second World Cup in 2022 but returned empty-handed, just like their first stay in 1986. They were ranked 38th when they entered in 2022 but fell to 58th in the wake of three group defeats.

But Jesse Marsch was brought in to manage the side, which led Canada in his venture to the 2024 Copa America, where it was given a fair rating against world champions Argentina. A 0-2 defeat was not the worst result and it still found its way to the semi-finals.

They lost again 0–2 to Argentina in the last four, before missing out on a third-place finish on penalties against Uruguay. The performance was much better than that of noisy neighbor and old nemesis USA, who exited the group stage.

Canada has a few names in Europe, none bigger than Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies, who faces a race against time to reduce fitness levels. There are others, like Jonathan David, Tajon Buchanan and Cyle Larin, who can get along and harass visitors, especially when urged to do so by home support.

Player to watch out for: Jonathan David

David has risen to fame from big matches after playing for Juventus. He will captain the side in Davies’ absence and will also have to take penalties. He is versatile and can play just as effectively behind another striker as he can as a number nine.

Manager: Jesse Marsch

The former Leeds manager didn’t last long in the contiguous United States, but his Canadian team is enjoying a wave of confidence. Canada has yet to win a World Cup match and will likely end its drought under Marsch and the comfort of home support.

Predicted lineup:

Dayne St. Louis. Clair – Richie Laryea, Derek Cornelius, Moses Bombito, Alistair Johnston – Alphonso Davies, Ishmael Kone, Stephen Eustaquio, Tajon Buchanan – Jonathan David, Tani Oluwaseyi

World Cup statistics

• Appearance: 2

• Best result: group stage (1986, 2022)

• FIFA ranking: 30

• Matches played: 6

• Won: 0

• Drawn: 0

• Lost: 6

• GF: 2

• GA: 12

• Highest active goalscorer: Jonathan David (37)

Canadian World Cup squad

Goalkeepers: Maxime Crepeau, Owen Goodman, Dayne St. Clair

Defenders: Moïse Bombito, Derek Cornelius, Alphonso Davies, Luc de Fougerolles, Alistair Johnston, Alfie Jones, Richie Laryea, Niko Sigur, Joel Waterman

Midfielders: Ali Ahmed, Tajon Buchanan, Mathieu Choiniere, Stephen Eustáquio, Marcelo Flores, Ismael Kone, Liam Millar, Jonathan Osorio, Nathan Saliba, Jacob Shaffelburg

Forward: Jonathan David, Promise David, Cyle Larin, Tani Oluwaseyi

Published on June 5, 2026