Predicting Canada's 2026 World Cup Roster

Charlie Zschau Updated: Mar 25 2026 19:38

All 26 players that Jesse Marsch should bring to the World Cup on home soil in 2026.

Canada is in the midst of a golden generation for their standards, but their national team is still not incredibly deep.

The teams holds some tremendous talents in the form of Jonathan David and Alphonso Davies, but there bench is filled win young players unproven at an international level.

The nation will have high expectations for the 2026 tournament, since it is a co-host. Canada has never made it out of the group stage in their two previous trips to the World Cup, but this could be their year.

Here is the projected 26-man roster we could see represent Canada at the 2026 World Cup:

Goalkeepers (3)

Dayne St. Clair (Minnesota United)
Maxime Crepeau (Portland Timbers)
Owen Goodman (Huddersfield Town)

St. Clair and Crepeau are clear an obvious choices to come to the tournament, however which one starts is a more complicated question.

St. Clair emerged onto the scene in MLS, and won the 2025 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year award. He is a great shot stopper.

Crepeau is older than St. Clair, and is much more composed and comfortable in distribution and commanding his box. The style of play that Jesse Marsch wants at the World Cup could determine who gets the start.

Owen Goodman just gained Canadian citizenship in October, and has been playing in England. He has a bright future, but he's still young and will likely be the third choice in 2026.

Missed the Cut: James Pantemis, Tom McGill

Defenders (8)

Moise Bombito (Nice)
Derek Cornelius (Rangers)
Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich)
Alistair Johnston (Celtic)
Richie Laryea (Toronto FC)
Niko Sigur (Hajduk Split)
Kamal Miller (Portland Timbers)
Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty (Charlotte FC)

Moise Bombito and Derek Cornelius are Marsch's two best options in the center of defense.

Alistair Johnston has been with the national team for many years and baring injury he'll likely be in the starting XI next summer.

Davies might be the best player to where a Canadian jersey, and although he plays as a left back for Bayern Munich, it's likely that he'll move higher up the pitch during the World Cup.

Richie Laryea will cover behind him, who had an excellent season in MLS.

Sigur, Miller, and Marshall-Rutty are all competent defenders who offer different skillsets to the game. Sigur is great with the ball at his feet and can even pop into the midfield, while Marshall-Rutty prefers to bomb down the wings.

Missed the Cut: Alfie Jones, Joel Waterman, Sam Adekugbe

Midfielders (9)

Stephen Eustaquio (Porto)
Ismael Kone (Sassuolo)
Ali Ahmed (Vancouver Whitecaps)
Mathieu Choiniere (LAFC)
Tajon Buchanan (Villarreal)
Jonathan Osorio (Toronto FC)
Nathan Saliba (Anderlecht)
Jacob Shaffelburg (Nashville SC)
Liam Millar (Hull City)

Eustaquio is one of the more veteran players on this team, and is calm on the ball in the midfield, and unafraid of going into a tackle.

Ismail Kone, Ali Ahmed, Choiniere, and Saliba are all great young talents who could improve even more between now and the World Cup.

Choiniere and Saliba both broke out in MLS last season before earning moves to Europe. That move did not quite workout for Choiniere who found himself back at LAFC on loan.

Tajon Buchanan has been great for Villareal on the wing, and Liam Millar and Jacob Shaffelburg offer consistency and a high work rate off the bench.

If Davies starts in defense, either player could come in and start on the left.

Missed the Cut: Junior Hoilett, Marcelo Flores

Forwards (6)

Jonathan David (Juventus)
Promise David (Union SG)
Tani Oluwaseyi (Villarreal)
Cyle Larin (Feyenoord)
Daniel Jebbison (Preston North End)
Jayden Nelson (Vancouver Whitecaps)

Jonathan David is unrivaled for the number nine position, but if Canada play with two strikers on the pitch, he'll likely be joined by Tani Oluwaseyi or Promise David.

Promise David has been having a bit of a breakout season in Belgium, and is a physical force up front.

Cyle Larin will likely be third or fourth choice, and at 30-years-old, he's one of the oldest players on the roster.

Daniel Jebbison and Jayden Nelson could both provide a spark from the bench, especially Nelson with his blistering pace which has been on display with the Vancouver Whitecaps this season.

Missed the Cut: Theo Bair

Best XI

	ST: Jonathan David	ST: Promise David

LM: Alphonso Davis	CM: Ismail Kone	CM: Stephen Eustaquio	RM: Tajon Buchanan

LB: Richie Laryea	CB: Derek Cornelius	CB: Moise Bombito	RB: Alistair Johnston
	GK: Dayne St. Clair