Bev Priestman names CanWNT camp squad ahead of final World Cup roster

Canada NT

Canada Soccer announced today the Women’s National Team pre-tournament roster traveling to Australia as the team will enter their final preparation phase for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™.

Canada will face Nigeria on Friday 21 July in Melbourne, the Republic of Ireland on Wednesday 26 July in Perth, and co-hosts Australia on Monday 31 July in Melbourne. Canada Soccer also announced today that, ahead of their opening Group Stage match, Canada’s Women’s National Team will travel to the Sunshine Coast to compete in a behind-closed-doors match against England on 14 July 2023.

“With the preparation camp being only weeks away, I’m so excited to name this squad and see what this squad can bring as we move that much closer towards the Women’s World Cup,” said Bev Priestman, Canada Soccer’s Women’s National Team Head Coach. “Picking this roster brought some incredibly difficult decisions and conversations, which I think speaks volumes to how competitive and exciting the group is.”

“I must acknowledge the hard work of the players, the clubs and our dedicated support staff to have some long-term injured players available for this camp as I know all parties have done everything possible to get to this point,” added Priestman.

CANADA’S SQUAD
Canada’s three goalkeepers for the camp will be Sabrina D’Angelo from Arsenal FC, Lysianne Proulx from SCU Torreense, and Kailen Sheridan from San Diego Wave FC.

Also selected for the camp are: defenders Kadeisha Buchanan from Chelsea FC, Allysha Chapman from Houston Dash, Vanessa Gilles from FCF Olympique Lyonnais, Ashley Lawrence from Paris Saint-Germain, Jayde Riviere from Manchester United FC, Jade Rose from Harvard University, and Shelina Zadorsky from Tottenham Hotspur.

Other Canadians in the squad are midfielders: Quinn from OL Reign, Marie-Yasmine Alidou D’Anjou from Famalicão, Simi Awujo from the University of Southern California, Jessie Fleming from Chelsea FC, Julia Grosso from Juventus FC, Sophie Schmidt from Houston Dash, and Desiree Scott from Kansas City Current.

The rest of the squad will feature forwards: Jordyn Huitema from OL Reign, Cloé Lacasse from SL Benfica, Adriana Leon and Christine Sinclair from Portland Thorns FC, Nichelle Prince from Houston Dash, and Deanne Rose from Reading FC.

Also called up to the pre-tournament camp are: Damallsvenskan forwards Clarissa Larisey from BK Häcken FF and Evelyne Viens from Kristianstads DFF, although not released by their respective clubs until the start of the official FIFA International Window on 10 July 2023.

The squad will report to the Gold Coast, Australia on 28 June, and all 25 players are in contention to make Priestman’s final roster for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™, which will be announced on 9 July. With an average age of 27, the 25-player pool consists of a mix of veterans and fresh faces, with 8 players looking to appear in their first World Cup.

“In the final twenty-three player roster, I know we will have a fantastic blend of experienced players along with World Cup debutants who are big part of the future of this program, and that blend makes for an exciting squad to lead and for any player to be a part of,” added Priestman.

PRE-TOURNAMENT CAMP
The camp will provide Canada with an opportunity to acclimatise to the different time zone and weather conditions of Australia, while also spending valuable time as a group before the start of the competition.

“This camp is about us solidifying our identity and player partnerships whilst preparing for our group stage opponents. We know we have three difficult games, all with different styles of play and so being able to adapt and be equipped for all three is important whilst really harnessing and imposing our strengths on any opponent we face,” added Priestman.

The FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™, which will be held from 20 July 2023 to 20 August 2023, will be a tournament of firsts. Fans will see 32 nations playing 64 matches across nine host cities in Australia and New Zealand for the first time in FIFA Women’s World Cup™ history.