Canada Soccer has announced today the selection of 26 players who will represent Canada in two international friendlies in the June window. The two matches will serve as key preparation for the upcoming 2024 Copa América, in which Canada recently qualified for following a 2:0 win over Trinidad & Tobago in March.
Canada is set to play the Netherlands on Thursday 6 June at 14:45 ET / 11:45 PT and France on Sunday 9 June at 15:15 ET / 12:15 PT. The Canadian team will gather in Rotterdam on 3 June in preparation for the friendlies. Both of Canada’s matches will be available live on OneSoccer in Canada.
The squad marks the first of the Jesse Marsch era as MLS Canada Men’s National Team Head Coach. Marsch was announced as Canada’s new bench boss earlier this month, following an extensive global search. Marsch brings significant experience to the position, having previously managed across Europe’s top leagues, most recently with Leeds United in England’s Premier League. Marsch is set to finalize the rest of his team staff this week.
“I am extremely excited to get these players into camp together. I have had many discussions with the players over the last weeks and it is clear that we have an exceptional group of men playing for this country. Now the work gets started for us all to come together to become the team that we know this country deserves,” shared Jesse Marsch, MLS Canada Men’s National Team Head Coach.
Both matches will mark the Canada’s second-ever time facing the two opponents in their histories.
In the run-up to the 1994 FIFA World Cup, Canada met the Dutch on 12 June 1994, at Varsity Stadium in Toronto. Colin Miller and Ronald Koeman were the Canadian and Dutch captains on the day, respectively, as the Netherlands won 3:0 with goals scored by Dennis Bergkamp, Frank Rijkaard and Marc Overmars.
The Men’s National Team’s only previous matchup with the French was in Canada’s first ever FIFA World Cup match in 1986. France, captained by Michel Platini, defeated Canada 1:0 with a winner scored by Jean-Pierre Papin in the 79’ minute.
An exciting summer is set for Canada Soccer’s Men’s National Team, as they will face three current FIFA-ranked top 10 teams in a matter of weeks: Argentina (1), France (2) and Netherlands (7). In addition, this also marks their ninth match against current FIFA-ranked top 20 opponent in a little more than 18 months: Belgium (3), Croatia (10), USA (11), Morocco (13), Uruguay (15), Japan (18).Â
CANMNT Roster
Theo Bair
Moïse Bombito
Charles-Andreas Brym
Tajon Buchanan
Mathieu Choinière
Derek Cornelius
Maxime Crépeau
Jonathan David
Alphonso Davies
Luc de Fourgerolles
Stephen Eustáquio
kyle Hiebert
Junior Hoilett
Alistair Johnston
Ismaël Koné
Cyle Larin
Richie Laryea
Tom McGill
Liam Millar
Kamal MIller
Jonathan Osorio
Samuel Piette
Jacon Shaffleburg
Dayne St. Clair
Iké Ugbo
Dominick Zator