Canada’s men’s soccer team head coach, Jesse Marsch, has assembled a group of 21 players for a training camp taking place from Thursday to January 18 in California. The camp in Irvine falls outside of a FIFA international window, prompting Marsch to select players who are currently out of season, with nearly all of them based in North America.
The Canadian team is set to play against Guatemala on January 17 at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles in a match categorized as a Tier 1 international game that will impact FIFA’s world rankings. Presently, Canada is ranked 27th globally and third in CONCACAF, trailing behind the U.S. and Mexico, while Guatemala holds the 94th spot globally and ranks 10th in the region.
Marsch expressed his enthusiasm for the extra training camp opportunity, stating, “We’re excited to have an extra opportunity to have a men’s national team camp ahead of a massive year. We have a very talented squad of North American-based players who will be hungry to prove themselves.”
Notably, some key players included in the California camp roster are LAFC’s Jacob Shaffelburg and Mathieu Choiniere, alongside Toronto FC’s Richie Laryea and Jonathan Osorio, all of whom are expected to be part of the upcoming World Cup.
Additionally, defenders Kamal Miller and Joel Waterman, along with midfielder Jayden Nelson, are aiming for spots on Marsch’s 26-man World Cup squad. Luka Gavran and James Pantemis are among those competing for the third goalkeeper position behind Dayne St. Clair and Max Crepeau, who are absent from the camp roster due to recent MLS club transfers.
Furthermore, Matteo de Brienne, the sole European-based player invited to the camp, brings a diverse background, having previously won the Canadian Premier League Best Canadian Under-21 Player Award in 2023. Several CPL players, including Noah Abatneh, Shola Jimoh, and Tiago Coimbra, have also received camp invitations based on their performances in the league.
Young talents like Marius Aiyenero and Marcelo Flores have been included in the training setup, with Aiyenero serving as a training player due to his promising performances in youth international competitions. Flores, who has represented Mexico at the senior level, is eligible for a one-time FIFA switch to play for Canada.
Marsch, along with his coaching staff and guest coaches, is focused on preparing the team for the upcoming challenges, with the January camp providing crucial development opportunities before the World Cup. The Canadian team’s history against Guatemala reflects a competitive rivalry, with the January camp serving as a vital stage for player evaluation and team cohesion.