Junior Hoilett return highlights CanMNT squad for Romania and Wales friendlies in September

On Tuesday, the Canadian men’s national team unveiled its 24-player squad for a pair of high-profile friendlies in Europe against Romania and Wales. 

Canada take on Romania on Friday, September 5 in Bucharest, before a clash with Wales in Swansea on Tuesday, September 9. Both matches will be available live on OneSoccer, the home of the Canadian national teams. 

Jesse Marsch’s squad includes most of its star power, with Juventus striker Jonathan David leading the line, recent hat-trick hero in La Liga, Tajon Buchanan of Villarreal, and Porto’s Stephen Eustáquio all included.

The group, however, also features a few new faces. Jayden Hibbert, a 21-year-old dual-national goalkeeper from Atlanta United, receives his first Canadian national team call-up. Hibbert, who was born in Teaneck, New Jersey, previously represented Jamaica at the senior level, for whom he made a pair of appearances in friendlies in March 2024. He has also made a pair of appearances for Atlanta this season in MLS – including keeping a clean sheet this past weekend against Toronto FC. 

Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty, also 21, will be looking to make his senior national team debut – a chance he could be afforded with multiple injuries at the full-back position. The Brampton native, who has spent most of this season on loan with Charlotte, can play either flank. He has been linked with a move to Europe in recent weeks, and a strong performance or two for Canada during this window would undoubtedly help his case.     

Meanwhile, Junior Hoilett received his first call-up since November 2024, when he scored against Suriname in the 2024-25 Concacaf Nations League quarter-finals. 

There are a couple of notable absences, as well, namely captain Alphonso Davies, Moïse Bombito and Johnston – all of whom miss out through injury. Tom McGill, Kamal Miller (also injured) and Jonathan Osorio have not been included for this camp after being named to the 2025 Gold Cup roster this summer.

September 5’s meeting with Romania (ranked 48th) will be the first between the two federations. Canada have played Wales (ranked 31st) four previous times. Canada are currently ranked 28th in the world by FIFA, the highest ever men’s ranking in the country’s history. 

Here is the full 24-player squad: 

GK - Maxime Crépeau (Portland Timbers / USA)
GK - Jayden Hibbert (Atlanta United / USA)
GK - Dayne St. Clair (Minnesota United / USA)
DF- Zorhan Bassong (Sporting Kansas City / USA)
DF - Derek Cornelius (Olympique de Marseille / FRA)
DF - Luc de Fougerolles (F.C.V Dender / BEL)
DF - Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty (Charlotte FC / USA)
DF - Jamie Knight-Lebel (Bristol City FC / ENG)
DF - Richie Laryea (Toronto FC / CAN)
DF - Niko Sigur (Hadjuk Split / CRO)
DF - Joel Waterman (Chicago Fire / USA)
MF - Ali Ahmed (Vancouver Whitecaps / CAN)
MF - Tajon Buchanan (Villarreal / SPA)
MF - Mathieu Choinière (LAFC / USA)
MF - Stephen Eustáquio (Porto / POR)
MF - Junior Hoilett (Hibernian / SCO)
MF - Ismaël Koné (U.S. Sassuolo / ITA)
MF - Jayden Nelson (Vancouver Whitecaps / CAN)
MF - Nathan Saliba (R.S.C Anderlecht / BEL)
MF - Jacob Shaffelburg (Nashville SC / USA)
FW - Jonathan David (Juventus / ITA)
FW - Promise David (Union Saint-Gilloise / BEL)
FW - Cyle Larin (RCD Mallorca / SPA)
FW - Tani Oluwaseyi (Minnesota United / USA)