Alphonso Davies returns to CanMNT as Herdman names June squad

Canada NT

Bayern Munich star highlights roster for upcoming matches again Iran, Curacao and Honduras, which includes LA Galaxy upstart Raheem Edwards and newcomer Luca Koleosho of RCD Espanyol.

Canada Soccer’s Men’s National Team have announced their squad for the upcoming series of three international matches in June including the 2022-23 edition of Concacaf Nations League. Bringing the team back together for the first time since qualifying for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Canada will play both an important friendly match and Concacaf Nations League match at BC Place in Vancouver, British Columbia before traveling to San Pedro Sula, Honduras for their second match in Concacaf Nations League.

“These are three opportunities to take steps forward with this group of players in preparation for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar,” said John Herdman, Canada Soccer’s Men’s National Team Head Coach. “Every minute together is crucial as we prepare to work collectively to give us the best chance to perform against some of the world’s best on the biggest stage.”

Tickets to both matches are still available via Ticketmaster.ca. The special two-match pack offers fans the opportunity to save on ticket service fees and secure the same seat for both Canada matches at BC Place. In addition, two-match packs are the only way to access lower bowl seating for the Canada v Iran match with individual match tickets now only available in the upper bowl. For complete ticketing information visit canadasoccer.com.

All three matches will also be broadcast live on OneSoccer (including Telus Optik TV Ch. 980, fuboTV Canada and OneSoccer.ca).Fans will find extended coverage across Canada Soccer’s digital channels on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube featuring the hashtag #CANMNT.

“There isn’t a minute that can be wasted in this moment. Our group of players that competed across 20 matches as part of FIFA World Cup Qualifiers created a foundation of trust, belief and confidence in each other, so bringing them together and continuing to find that next level will be key to our success in Qatar.”

This is the second edition of Concacaf Nations League which also serves as direct qualification to the Concacaf Gold Cup. From Concacaf Nations League A, the top-two teams in Canada’s group will qualify for the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup while the last-place team will be relegated to Concacaf Nations League B and further qualification matches for the Concacaf Gold Cup. Along with these two matches in June, the three nations will face each other once again in March 2023 when Canada hosts Honduras and travels to Curaçao.

While Canada are one of 29 nations that have already qualified for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the last three nations will qualify through European and intercontinental FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in June. Beyond these June matches, the last two windows on the 2022 Men’s International Match Calendar run 19 to 27 September (friendly matches) and then 21 November to 18 December (FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022).

“There are some areas in the team that we would like to strengthen prior to Qatar,” said Herdman. “We are looking to assess specific profiles of players that can contribute to our tactical approach against tier-one opponents.”

CANADA SQUAD

The Canada squad features plenty of familiar faces that helped Canada finish at the top of the table in the Concacaf Final Round of FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. Included in the squad are five veterans with 50 or more appearances: goalkeeper Milan Borjan of Red Star Belgrade in Serbia, midfielder Jonathan Osorio from Toronto FC, midfielder Samuel Piette from CF Montréal, and midfielder Atiba Hutchinson and forward Cyle Larin from Beşiktaş JK in Turkey.

Returning to the squad in 2022 is Raheem Edwards from Los Angeles Galaxy while new to the Men’s National Team Program is teenager Luca Koleosho from RCD Espanyol de Barcelona. Edwards has been amongst the MLS leaders in assists across the early part of 2022 while Koleosho recently made his La Liga debut in the season finale on 22 May against Granada CF.

All the other players in Canada’s June squad featured through FIFA World Cup Qualifiers from March 2021 to March 2022, including recent Canada Soccer Players of the Year Jonathan David from Lille OSC in France and Alphonso Davies from title-winning FC Bayern Munich in Germany. Along with Davies (Bundesliga) and Borjan (Serbian SuperLiga), Tajon Buchanan from Club Brugge KV (Championnat de Belgique) and Stephen Eustáquio from FC Porto (Primeira Liga and Taça de Portugal) are two more recent trophy winners joining the Canada squad in British Columbia.

Other Canadian players from European-based clubs who have just wrapped up their 2021-22 season are Samuel Adekugbe from Hatayspor FC in Turkey, Charles-Andreas Brym from FC Eindhoven in Netherlands, Junior Hoilett from Reading FC in England, Scott Kennedy from SSV Jahn Regensburg in Germany, Richie Laryea from Nottingham Forest FC In England, Iké Ugbo from ES Troyes AC in France, and Steven Vitória from Moreirense FC in Portugal.

Along with Osorio and Piette, the three other players competing in the 2022 Canadian Championship and Major League Soccer are Lucas Cavallini from Vancouver Whitecaps FC and both Alistair Johnston and Kamal Miller from CF Montréal. Other players from Major League Soccer are Maxime Crépeau and Doneil Henry from Los Angeles F, Mark-Anthony Kaye from Colorado Rapids, and Dayne St. Clair from Minnesota United FC.

CanadaRED MEMBERSHIP

Becoming a CanadaRED member is the best way for Canadian supporters to ensure an inside track on fan promotions, advance access to National Team home matches, and the latest information on Canada Soccer activity. Visit canadasoccer.com for more information on the CanadaRED fan membership program and register to become official member of Canada’s growing soccer movement.

CANADA SOCCER’S MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM PROGRAM

Canada Soccer’s Men’s National Team are the reigning Kings of Concacaf, having finished first overall in the Concacaf Final Round of FIFA World Cup Qualifiers from September 2021 to March 2022. It marked the third time that Canada Soccer’s Men’s National Team won a Concacaf title, having previously won the 1985 Concacaf Championship and the 2000 Concacaf Gold Cup. Canada now look forward to their second participation at the men’s FIFA World Cup with group matches against Belgium on 23 November, Croatia on 27 November, and Morocco on 1 December.