Canada in the World Cup
It has been decades since Canada participated in the FIFA World Cup (last time being in 1986) but Canada is back into the world cup stage. Excitement has been building since Canada also will be co-hosting FIFA World Cup 2026.
Household names are also emerged from the team, including powerhouse soccer club Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies. Other notable players are Jonathan David, Stephen Eustáquio, and Cyle Larin who all play in Europe.
Head coach John Herdman refers his team “new Canada”!
Team Canada Roster
Canada’s notable omissions due to injury are defenders Doneil Henry, Scott Kennedy, and goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau. CF Montréal’s James Pantemis, and defender Joel Waterman are replacing the injured respectively, making history by becoming the first ever former Canadian Premier League players to appear on a World Cup roster.
Goalkeepers: Milan Borjan (Red Star Belgrade — Serbia), James Pantemis (CF Montréal) and Dayne St. Clair (Minnesota United).
Defenders: Alistair Johnston (CF Montréal), Derek Cornelius (Panetolikos — Greece), Richie Laryea (Toronto FC), Sam Adekugbe (Hatayspor — Turkey), Steven Vitória (Chaves – Portugal), Kamal Miller (CF Montréal) and Joel Waterman (CF Montréal).
Midfielders: Stephen Eustáquio (Porto — Portugal), Jonathan Osorio (Toronto FC), Atiba Hutchinson (Beşiktaş J.K.), Mark-Anthony Kaye (Toronto FC), Samuel Piette (CF Montréal), Liam Fraser (K.M.S.K. Deinze — Belgium), Ismaël Koné (CF Montréal) and David Wotherspoon (St Johnstone F.C. — Scotland).
Forwards: Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich — Germany), Jonathan David (Lille — France) and Cyle Larin (Club Brugge — Belgium), Tajon Buchanan (Club Brugge — Belgium), Lucas Cavallini (Vancouver Whitecaps), Junior Hoilett (Reading F.C. — England), and Ike Ugbo (ES Troyes AC — France).
26 players, 1 dream 🇨🇦#CANMNT x @CIBC #WeCAN pic.twitter.com/cjN1TnqPXf
— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) November 13, 2022
World Cup of Soccer on Canada TV
Yes WeCAN, Can We?
Herdman credits the togetherness and belief within the group for having a next man up mentality.
“I think it’s our X-factor in this World Cup,” Herdman said. “I made a conscious decision in the selection – there were over 40 players I could’ve chosen – I made it clear that those 26 had to be brothers.
