5 potential breakout stars for the CanMNT at the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup
Over the past few tournaments, the Concacaf Gold Cup has provided an excellent opportunity for players to have their coming-out party with the Canadian men’s national team.
In 2017, it was a 16-year-old Alphonso Davies who became the youngest player ever to score at the Gold Cup and would go on to win Young Player of the Tournament, and tie for the Golden Boot. In 2019, Jonathan David scored six times and won that year’s Golden Boot. In 2021, it was Tajon Buchanan who burst onto the scene and also won Young Player of the Tournament, and in 2023, it was Jacob Shaffelburg, who scored his first Canada goal in extra time of the Gold Cup quarter-finals against the United States.
Now, with Canada kicking off their 2025 Gold Cup campaign on Tuesday night at BC Place against Honduras (7:30 p.m. PT / 10:30 p.m. ET on OneSoccer, TSN and RDS), the question is whether another player will step up into a star role at this tournament.
In the past, Canada’s Gold Cup squads have been a little bit more experimental than the strong 26-player squad that Jesse Marsch named for this year’s edition. Canada’s squad features a strong roster with most of its key players, and less opportunity for rotation perhaps than in past years – intent on breaking their 25-year drought since their last Gold Cup victory.
Still, due to key injuries and absences, Moïse Bombito at central defender, both Alphonso Davies and Sam Adekugbe at left-back, and Stephen Eustáquio in midfield, a few generally locked-in starting spots are up for grabs. Plus, with many players on this Canadian team looking to sort out their club situations, not to mention give themselves a leg up on making the 2026 roster, this is a crucial showcase.
Here are five candidates who could be the Canadian men’s national team’s breakout star at the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup:
Promise David
No surprise here. After a breakout campaign in Europe, helping Union Saint-Gilloise to win their first Belgian title in 90 years, David will look to follow that up with a breakout performance at his first major tournament with the national team.
After scoring 24 goals in all competitions for USG this year, David found the back of the net in his first-ever appearance with Canada against Ukraine at the Canadian Shield Tournament earlier this month. He did leave that game at half-time as a precautionary measure after hamstring tightness, but it doesn’t appear that will impact his availability at the Gold Cup.
David is in competition with Cyle Larin, Daniel Jebbison and Tani Oluwaseyi for a starting spot next to Jonathan David at the tournament and Canada will likely rotate a bit across their three group games. But given recent performances for both club and country, Promise David looks to have the inside track. Given his incredible goalscoring ability, could absolutely make a name for himself across the region at this competition.
Luc de Fougerolles
Luc de Fougerolles playing against Côte d'Ivoire at the Canadian Shield Tournament (Audrey Magny / Canada Soccer)
With Moïse Bombito missing the tournament, there are minutes to be had at central defender and absolutely massive shoes to fill.
Starting against Ukraine earlier this month at the Canadian Shield, 19-year-old Luc de Fougerolles stepped into that spot admirably. Showing outstanding composure for his age, he was exceptional in his defensive reading of the match against elite opposition, while demonstrating a consistent ability to break the lines with his passing and dribbling quality.
Having missed most of this past club season due to injury, de Fougerolles hasn’t been in the Canada fold much since starting against Uruguay in the Copa América third-place game. He will be in competition with Joel Waterman, Jamie Knight-Lebel and the experienced Kamal Miller for minutes, but as far as risk/reward goes, de Fougerolles has the highest ceiling, and another major tournament experience could go a long way toward his development.
De Fougerolles’ club situation for this upcoming season remains a big question as it pertains to his inclusion in the Canadian World Cup roster, given that he has made just one first-team appearance for Fulham. But perhaps a shining performance at the Gold Cup could either earn him a loan to a good level, or show Fulham what they have in this talented young defender.
Jayden Nelson
Nelson is a high-energy and intensity player who brings all of the elements that Jesse Marsch likes in a winger. He was one of Canada’s standout performers in an overall disappointing and disjointed showing against Côte d’Ivoire, demonstrating that he can rise to the intensity of the highest level of international competition.
He is having a resurgent season at the club level this year with the Vancouver Whitecaps, with two goals and six assists in all competitions. On his day, he is a player capable of breaking open a game with his elite dribbling ability.
This is Nelson’s second Gold Cup tournament, as he was part of the 2023 edition as an injury replacement, even scoring against Cuba in a 4-2 victory in Canada’s group stage finale at that year’s tournament. But this time, the conditions, not to mention his form and confidence, are far better for him to potentially play a starring role at this tournament.
Very much a bubble player right now on Canada’s World Cup squad, especially with the likes of Liam Millar returning from injury soon, this is an outstanding chance for Nelson to impress Marsch and show that he can be a reliable option – either as a starter or off the bench.
Nathan Saliba
Nathan Saliba against Ukraine (Audrey Magny / Canada Soccer)
Saliba begins the 2025 Gold Cup with rumours swirling that he will soon be departing CF Montréal for a move to Europe, with Belgian club Anderlecht the most likely destination.
Ahead of that move, this competition could be a big confidence and momentum boost for Saliba if he can take his opportunities in midfield. With Stephen Eustáquio set to miss at least the group stage through Club World Cup duty, a starting spot has opened, likely next to Ismaël Koné in midfield.
Saliba is a player with all the talent to thrive in this Canadian midfield, capable of progressing the ball both through passes and his dribbling ability. This is as good a chance as any for Saliba to cement himself a spot as a proven option in midfield for Canada. It is worth noting as well, with Koné’s club situation still a question mark, it's not like his starting spot is in stone either just yet.
Niko Sigur
Another player entering the competition with a lot of interest from clubs across Europe is 21-year-old Niko Sigur. He has spent the past two seasons with Hajduk Split in Croatia, and after impressing there, he could be on the move to a higher level.
Sigur has played big minutes twice for Canada, against the United States in the Concacaf Nations League third-place game and against Ukraine in the Canadian Shield, and looked excellent on both occasions. But at this tournament, he has a chance to reach the next level as a key player for this team. With Alistair Johnston likely to miss Canada’s first game, and Richie Laryea still recovering from injury, there is an opening for Sigur to get big minutes.
Perhaps this tournament could see a highly anticipated move to midfield within the Canadian setup, a position of need long-term, especially when it comes to depth. But, considering Jesse Marsch has exclusively run out Sigur as a right-back so far, that remains to be seen. Still, there is a good opportunity for Sigur to play an important role for Canada at this tournament.
