Canadian men’s national soccer team head coach John Herdman named his 26-man squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup on Sunday.
Headlined by Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies and Lille goalscorer Jonathan David, Canada will embark on its first men’s World Cup campaign since 1986, and just its second all time.
Canada’s midfield will be led by FC Porto’s Stephen Eustaquio as well as veteran Atiba Huchinson. Should he play, Hutchinson would be the oldest player ever to play at a World Cup at 39 years, nine months and three days, which would beat Argentina’s Angel Labruna’s record (39 years, eight months, 18 days) from 1958.
Three players from Canada’s qualifying roster will not feature in Qatar.
LAFC goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau fractured his leg in a play that eventually led to his club’s first MLS Cup title.
Centre back Scott Kennedy suffered a shoulder injury with German club SSV Jahn that ruled him out of the World Cup. Finally, Toronto FC centre back Doneil Henry — who was called up for Friday’s friendly against Bahrain — picked up an injury during warmups.
CF Montreal goalkeeper James Pantemis will replace Crepeau and slot in as Canada’s third goalkeeper behind Red Star Belgrade’s Milan Borjan and Minnesota United’s Dayne St. Clair. Montreal’s Joel Waterman was also called up after featuring in his first game for Canada against Bahrain. Rounding out the defending changes is Derek Cornelius, the Vancouver Whitecaps centre back kickstarted his career on loan at Greek first division outfit Panetolikos.
CF Montreal will send six Canadian players at the World Cup, the most of any club. Pantemis, along with Alistair Johnston, Kamal Miller, Joel Waterman, Samuel PIette and Ismael Kone all line up for the Canadian MLS side.
Canada will take on Belgium on No. 23. for their first game of the 2022 World Cup.
Full roster
Goalkeepers: Milan Borjan (Red Star Belgrade/Serbia), James Pantemis (CF Montreal), Dayne St. Clair (Minnesota United)
Defenders: Sam Adekugbe (Hatayspor/Turkey), Derek Cornelius (Vancouver Whitecaps – Panetolikos/Greece), Alistair Johnston (CF Montreal), Richie Laryea (Nottingham Forrest/England), Kamal Miller (CF Montreal), Steven Vitoria (Chaves/Portugal), Joel Waterman (CF Montreal)
Midfielders: Stephen Eustaquio (FC Porto/Portugal), Liam Fraser (Deinze/Belgium), Atiba Hutchinson (Besiktas/Turkey), Mark-Anthony Kaye (Toronto FC), Ismael Kone (CF Montreal), Jonathan Osorio (Toronto FC), Samuel Piette (CF Montreal), David Wotherspoon (St. Johnstone/Scotland)
Forwards: Tajon Buchanan (Club Brugge/Belgium), Lucas Cavallini (Vancouver Whitecaps), Jonathan David (Lille/France), Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich/Germany), Junior Hoillett (Reading/England), Cyle Larin (Beskitas/Turkey), Liam Miller (FC Basel/ Switzerland), Ike Ugbo (Troyes/France)
