Jesse Marsch names 1st CanMNT squad for friendlies vs. France, Netherlands

Canada NT

Canada Soccer has announced today the selection of 26 players who will represent Canada in two international friendlies in the June window. The two matches will serve as key preparation for the upcoming 2024 Copa América, in which Canada recently qualified for following a 2:0 win over Trinidad & Tobago in March.

Canada is set to play the Netherlands on Thursday 6 June at 14:45 ET / 11:45 PT and France on Sunday 9 June at 15:15 ET / 12:15 PT. The Canadian team will gather in Rotterdam on 3 June in preparation for the friendlies. Both of Canada’s matches will be available live on OneSoccer in Canada.

The squad marks the first of the Jesse Marsch era as MLS Canada Men’s National Team Head Coach. Marsch was announced as Canada’s new bench boss earlier this month, following an extensive global search. Marsch brings significant experience to the position, having previously managed across Europe’s top leagues, most recently with Leeds United in England’s Premier League. Marsch is set to finalize the rest of his team staff this week.

“I am extremely excited to get these players into camp together. I have had many discussions with the players over the last weeks and it is clear that we have an exceptional group of men playing for this country. Now the work gets started for us all to come together to become the team that we know this country deserves." - Jesse Marsch, MLS Canada Men’s National Team Head Coach

Both matches will mark the Canada’s second-ever time facing the two opponents in their histories.

In the run-up to the 1994 FIFA World Cup, Canada met the Dutch on 12 June 1994, at Varsity Stadium in Toronto. Colin Miller and Ronald Koeman were the Canadian and Dutch captains on the day, respectively, as the Netherlands won 3:0 with goals scored by Dennis Bergkamp, Frank Rijkaard and Marc Overmars.

The Men’s National Team’s only previous matchup with the French was in Canada’s first ever FIFA World Cup match in 1986. France, captained by Michel Platini, defeated Canada 1:0 with a winner scored by Jean-Pierre Papin in the 79’ minute.

An exciting summer is set for Canada Soccer’s Men’s National Team, as they will face three current FIFA-ranked top 10 teams in a matter of weeks: Argentina (1), France (2) and Netherlands (7). In addition, this also marks their ninth match against current FIFA-ranked top 20 opponent in a little more than 18 months: Belgium (3), Croatia (10), USA (11), Morocco (13), Uruguay (15), Japan (18).

Both friendly matches will air LIVE and exclusively on OneSoccer, available on the fuboTV Canada platform, as a linear channel on TELUS's Optik TV (Channel 980), as well as online at OneSoccer.ca and through the OneSoccer app. Fans will find extended coverage across Canada Soccer’s digital channels on Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube featuring the hashtag #CANMNT.

CANADA SQUAD

Canada's three goalkeepers this window will be Maxime Crépeau from Portland Timbers, Thomas McGill from Brighton & Hove Albion and Dayne St. Clair from Minnesota United. Grégoire Swiderski from Girondins de Bordeaux B will also join the group as a training player.

Defenders selected are: Moïse Bombito from Colorado Rapids, Derek Cornelius from Malmo FF, Alphonso Davies from Bayern Munich, Luc de Fougerolles from Fulham FC, Kyle Hiebert from St. Louis City SC, Alistair Johnston from Celtic FC, Richie Laryea from Toronto FC, Kamal Miller from Portland Timbers and Dominick Zator from Korona Kielce.

Midfielders joining the group are: Mathieu Choinière from CF Montréal, Stephen Eustáquio from FC Porto, Ismaël Koné from Watford FC, Jonathan Osorio from Toronto FC and Samuel Piette from CF Montréal.

The rest of the squad will feature forwards: Thelonius Bair from Motherwell, Charles-Andreas Brym from Sparta Rotterdam, Tajon Buchanan from Inter Milan, Jonathan David from LOSC Lille, Junior Hoilett from Aberdeen FC, Cyle Larin from RCD Mallorca, Liam Millar from FC Basel, Jacob Shaffelburg from Nashville SC and Iké Ugbo from ESTAC Troyes.

CANADA

*Training Player