Canada prepares for the World Cup: new challenges in Group B

Canada is preparing for the 2026 World Cup, as it has been included in Group B alongside Switzerland, Qatar, and Bosnia. This is Canada's third participation in its history after the previous two editions in 1986 and 2022, but this time it comes as a host country, which adds a special character to the competitions. Coach Jesse Marsh, who has been at the helm since 2024, is gunning for the goal of qualifying for the playoffs.

Preparations for the World Cup
Canada qualified outright, and under Marsh has seen significant improvement over the past two years, with a fourth-place finish at the 2024 America's Cup and a third-place finish in the 2024-2025 Nations League. However, they were dealt a blow by being eliminated from the 2025 Gold Cup by Guatemala in a penalty shootout.

Team Strategy
The Canadian playing style is based on high pressing, quick transitions, and intense play. The team is led by Canadian soccer star Jonathan David, in addition to Alphonso Davies, Tajon Buchanan, Promise David, and Ismael Kone.

Marsh adopts a 4-4-2 formation, but substitute options may be limited, making the physical and psychological state of the key players crucial to success.

List of invited players
Goalkeepers: Maxime Crepeau (Orlando City), Owen Goodman (Barnsley), Dane St. Clair (Inter Miami)
Defenders: Moise Pompeto (Nice), Derek Cornelius (Rangers), Alfonso Davies (Bayern Munich), Luc de Fougerolles (Dender), Alistair Johnstone (Celtic), Alfie Jones (Middlesbrough), Richie Larrea (Toronto), Nico Segur (Hajduk Spaletto), Joel Waterman (Chicago Fire)
Midfielders: Ali Ahmed (Norwich City), Tajon Buchanan (Villarreal), Matthew Chounier (Los Angeles), Steven Eustaquio (Los Angeles), Jay Dunne Nelson (Austin), Ismael Kone (Sassuolo), Liam Millar (Hull City), Jonathan Osorio (Toronto), Nathan Saliba (Anderlecht), Jakob Schafelborg (Los Angeles)
Forwards: Jonathan David (Juventus), Promais David (Saint Gilas Union), Cyle Larin (Southampton), Tani Oluwasiwe (Villarreal)
Expected lineup (4-4-2): Crepo; Johnston, de Fougerolles, Cornelius, Davies; Buchanan, Connie, Chonier, Ahmed; David, Larin. Coach: Marsh.