Canada Soccer has announced its 23-man squad that will represent Canada in the upcoming Canadian Shield Tournament in Toronto at BMO Field this summer.
The inaugural Canadian Shield Tournament, a new invitational men’s tournament, will feature four teams: Canada (ranked 31st in the world), Ukraine (ranked 25th), Côte d’Ivoire (ranked 46th), and New Zealand (ranked 89th). The four-match series will take place over two days, June 7 and 10, to determine a champion during FIFA’s summer window.
Canada’s two matches in the tournament are against Ukraine on Saturday, June 7, and Côte d’Ivoire on Tuesday, June 10. The tournament is presented by MLSE, SPORTFIVE, and MIB Sport Agency.
“We are excited for two competitive matches on home soil in front of Canadian crowds,” said Head Coach Jesse Marsch, via a media release Wednesday. “We expect an excellent atmosphere and spirited matches that will help prepare us for the types of games we will play at this summer’s Gold Cup and next summer’s FIFA World Cup.”
Canada has been drawn into Group B for this summer’s 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup, where it will face Honduras, El Salvador, and Curaçao in the Group Stage.
A week after the Canadian Shield, Canada will take on Honduras on June 17 at Vancouver’s BC Place before traveling to Houston for matches against Curaçao on June 21 and El Salvador on June 24.
Tournament format and future plans
The two double-header matchdays will see each team play two matches, with four matches in total. The tournament will award three points for a win, one point for a draw, and two points for a penalty shootout win. All matches will have a winner, and games will go directly to penalties after 90 minutes (plus injury time). The team with the most points after the tournament will be crowned champions.
MLSE has said that the tournament will be an annual event with the possibility of different nations in the future. Keith Pelley, President & CEO of MLSE, also added that MLSE has plans to create more opportunities for the Canadian national team to play against world-class opponents this year.
“We’ve not announced all of them, but in 2025, we will have six games (at BMO Field) where Canada will play nations ranked inside the top 100 in the world, including five inside the top 50 and two inside the top 25,” said Pelley.
The national team will continue its cross-country community outreach initiatives ahead of the World Cup by starting its training camp in Halifax and hosting an open session on Wednesday, June 3, at Wanderers Ground.
Canadian men’s national team squad
Canada’s two goalkeepers will be familiar faces from the MLS: Maxime Crépeau from Portland Timbers and Dayne St. Clair from Minnesota United FC.
Several players from the three Canadian MLS teams were chosen, including Nathan Saliba and former Cavalry FC player Joel Waterman from CF Montréal, and three Vancouver Whitecaps players, Sam Adekugbe, Ali Ahmed, and Jayden Nelson. Despite not featuring for Toronto FC since March 1, Richie Laryea was named to the squad, while captain Jonathan Osorio remains sidelined from a dislocated shoulder.
Commanding the backline is Marseille centre-back Derek Cornelius, with youngsters Luc de Fougerolles from Fulham FC and Jamie Knight-Lebel from Crewe Alexandra (on loan from Bristol City) eager to start after impressing at their respective clubs in England. Zorhan Bassong from Sporting Kansas City will also look to round out the Canadian backline.
Captain Alphonso Davies is still absent as he is recovering from an ACL tear suffered during Canada’s third-place match against the United States in March. Notably, Alistair Johnston, Kamal Miller, and Moïse Bombito were left out due to injury, but Marsch told reporters that Miller, Johnston, and Osorio will be part of the Gold Cup squad.
The midfielders joining the squad include national team regulars Tajon Buchanan from Villarreal CF (on loan from Inter Milan), Stephen Eustáquio from FC Porto, Ismaël Koné from Stade Rennais (on loan from Olympique de Marseille), and Jacob Shaffelburg from Nashville SC. Rounding out the midfield are Mathieu Choinière from Grasshopper Zurich and Niko Sigur from Hadjuk Split.
Canada’s attack will consist of the same five players who were in the Nations League Finals squad. Former Lille man Jonathan David and Canadian vet Cyle Larin will be expected in starting roles, but Tani Oluwaseyi can challenge for a spot after scoring regularly for Minnesota United FC this season. Promise David from Royale Union Saint-Gilloise will look for his first cap, while newcomer Daniel Jebbison from AFC Bournemouth looks for his second.
Canada has also invited two training players to join the squad: Gabriele Biancheri from Manchester United Academy and goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois from CF Montréal.
Goalkeepers: Maxime Crepeau (Portland Timbers), Dayne St. Clair (Minnesota United)
Defenders: Sam Adekugbe (Vancouver Whitecaps), Zorhan Bassong (Sporting Kansas City), Derek Cornelius (Marseille), Luc de Fougerolles (Fulham), Jamie Knight-Lebel (Crewe Alexandra), Richie Laryea (Toronto FC), Joel Waterman (CF Montréal)
Midfielders: Ali Ahmed (Vancouver Whitecaps), Tajon Buchanan (Villarreal), Mathieu Choiniere (Grasshopper), Stephen Eustaquio (Porto), Ismael Kone (Rennes), Jayden Nelson (Vancouver Whitecaps), Nathan Saliba (CF Montréal), Jacob Shaffelburg (Nashville SC), Niko Sigur (Hadjuk Split)
Forwards: Jonathan David (Lille), Promise David (Union Saint-Gilloise), Daniel Jebbison (Bournemouth), Cyle Larin (Real Mallorca), Tani Oluwaseyi (Minnesota United)
Training players: Gabriele Biancheri (Manchester United Academy), Jonathan Sirois (CF Montréal)
