Canada’s men’s soccer head coach, Jesse Marsch, has assembled a group of 21 players for a training camp taking place from Thursday to January 18 in California. Despite not aligning with a FIFA international window, Marsch has opted for players who are currently out of season, with the majority based in North America.
The Canadian team is set to clash with Guatemala on January 17 at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles in a significant Tier 1 international match, contributing to FIFA’s world rankings. Canada holds the 27th position globally and ranks third in CONCACAF, following the U.S. and Mexico, while Guatemala sits at 94th in the region.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the upcoming camp, Marsch stated, “We’re excited to have an extra opportunity to have a men’s national team camp ahead of a massive year. We have a very talented squad of North American-based players who will be hungry to prove themselves.”
In their last encounter during the Gold Cup quarterfinals in June 2025, Guatemala emerged victorious against Canada with a 6-5 penalty shootout win after a 1-1 draw. Notably, Canada faced challenges as Jacob Shaffelburg received a red card in the first half.
The camp roster includes LAFC’s Shaffelburg and Mathieu Choiniere, alongside Toronto FC’s Richie Laryea and Jonathan Osorio, all potential contenders for the World Cup squad. Additionally, defenders Kamal Miller and Joel Waterman, as well as midfielder Jayden Nelson, aim to secure spots on Marsch’s 26-man World Cup lineup.
Among the participants, Matteo de Brienne, the sole European-based player from Sweden’s GAIS, has been invited. Several Canadian Premier League players have also received camp invitations, such as Noah Abatneh, Shola Jimoh, and Tiago Coimbra, showcasing their talent and potential.
Young talent Marius Aiyenero, a forward playing for Los Angeles FC 2 in the MLS Next Pro league, has been included as a training player, having demonstrated his prowess in previous competitions. Marcelo Flores, currently playing for Tigres UNAL in Mexico, transitions from a training role in the previous camp to a full invitation this time.
The coaching staff, including guest coaches, will support Marsch during the camp, aiming to enhance team performance and player development. With limited FIFA international windows before the World Cup commences in June, the January camp serves as a crucial opportunity for Marsch to work closely with the players.
The article provides detailed insights into the composition of the camp roster, featuring goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, and forwards selected to represent Canada in the upcoming training camp.
