Canada’s men’s soccer head coach, Jesse Marsch, has selected 21 players for a training camp scheduled from Thursday to January 18 in California. The camp, held in Irvine, falls outside the FIFA international window, prompting Marsch to choose players who are currently out of season, with all but one player based in North America.
The Canadian team is set to play against Guatemala on January 17 at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles in a Tier 1 international match that contributes to FIFA’s world rankings. Presently, Canada ranks 27th globally and third in CONCACAF, trailing behind the U.S. and Mexico, while Guatemala holds the 94th spot in the global rankings and is ranked 10th in the region.
Expressing his anticipation for the camp, Marsch mentioned, “We’re excited to have an extra opportunity to have a men’s national team camp ahead of a massive year.” He also highlighted the talent within the North American-based squad, emphasizing their eagerness to showcase their abilities.
The upcoming match against Guatemala brings back memories of their last encounter in the Gold Cup quarterfinals in June 2025, where Guatemala clinched victory in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw. Notably, Canada played with 10 men following Jacob Shaffelburg’s first-half dismissal.
Among the players included in the California camp roster are LAFC’s Shaffelburg and Mathieu Choiniere, alongside Toronto FC’s Richie Laryea and Jonathan Osorio, all of whom are likely to represent Canada in the World Cup. Additionally, the camp invites other players who are striving to secure their positions in the squad.
Defenders Kamal Miller (Portland Timbers) and Joel Waterman (Chicago Fire) and midfielder Jayden Nelson (Austin FC) are aiming for spots in Marsch’s 26-man World Cup roster, with Luka Gavran (Toronto FC) and James Pantemis (Portland) competing for the third goalkeeper position.
Notably, Matteo de Brienne, the sole European-based player invited to the camp, hails from Sweden’s GAIS. The roster also includes CPL players like Noah Abatneh, Shola Jimoh, and Tiago Coimbra, with Marius Aiyenero, a young talent from Los Angeles FC 2, joining as a training player.
Marcelo Flores, who plays for Tigres UNAL in Mexico, receives a full invitation after being a training player at Marsch’s previous camp. The coaching staff, along with guest coaches, will lead the camp aiming to strengthen the team’s performance ahead of the World Cup.
With limited FIFA international windows before the World Cup in June, the January camp provides Marsch with valuable time to work with his players. The Canadian team’s history against Guatemala, including previous losses in World Cup qualifiers, adds significance to the upcoming match.
The Canada camp roster comprises a mix of experienced and emerging talents across different clubs, reflecting the team’s diverse strengths and potential for the upcoming challenges.