The Canada MNT are set to play two friendlies at Toronto’s BMO Filed as part of their preperation for the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
On March 28, 29th ranked Canada plays 74th ranked Iceland and on March 31, they play 47th ranked Tunisia. These games are tests for Canada and head coach Jesse Marsch to show that they are ready for the World Cup.
Here is the Canada MNT roster for the two games.
“We’re calm, focused, and ready,” said Marsch to the media on Tuesday per Canadian Soccer Daily. “We’re taking every day for what it’s worth, and the focus and concentration to try to make sure that we’re ready for two really good performances. That is the overall objective is to stay in the moment and really continue the process of becoming the team we want to be.”
Let’s take a look at some storylines heading into the two games.
#1: How will Canada do without key players
Several Canadian players will be missing the games against Iceland and Tunisia. That includes captain Alphonso Davies who is dealing with a thorn thigh muscle fibre injury. Marsch didn’t call him up for the upcoming friendlies, but the hope is that he will be ready for the World Cup. Richie Laryea has done well as a left-back and will continue to be relied upon in this window.
Another leader for Canada is out. Midfielder Stephen Eustaquio. The LAFC midfielder is dealing with a hematoma, caused by a deep tissue massage after he collided with a referee.
Defenders Moise Bombito and Alistair Johnston are also still dealing with their long-term injuries. However, both are with the squad for training and moral support.
Other players are going to need to step up in their absences. This is a good test for Canada MNT’s depth.
“Of course we want to get ourselves back for the summer to 100 percent but this is all part of it, and we’ve really used all of the injuries and when players are missing as opportunities for new guys to establish themselves,” said Marsch. “If you look at, like, Nico Sigur and Nathan Saliba and Tani (Oluwaseyi) and a bunch of different guys that have really elevated themselves when they’ve gotten opportunities, and that’ll be the case again in this week.”
#2: Marcelo Flores to make his Canada MNT debut
One of those players that will look to step up is Marcelo Flores. The Canadian, English and Mexican dual national made his one-time switch to the Canada MNT in February.
Flores can be as a 10 or a left winger. In Marsch’s 4-4-2 system, he likely will be on the left wing. The Tigres UANL player is great at progressive passes and ball control. He could provide that extra creative attacking spark Canada needs. Flores even dyed his hair red to commemorate his first official Canada MNT call-up.
#3: Ralph Priso is looking to continue to prove his worth
Ralph Priso has been rising through the ranks in the Canada MNT set-up. Originally a midfielder, the Toronto native had to be converted into a centre-back last September with the Vancouver Whitecaps due to their injury crisis.
Priso excelled as a centre-back in the latter stages of the 2025 MLS regular season and in the playoffs as he helped Vancouver reach the MLS Cup final. He excelled at Camp Poutine and the friendly against Guatemala in January and is continuing to do so with the Whitecaps. The 23-year-old is vying for a spot at the World Cup with the likes of other CBs such as Kamal Miller, Joel Waterman and Alfie Jones.
He may lack in size standing at 5’9″, but what has made Priso excel as a CB is his speed, awareness, aggresiveness and progressive passing.
This camp is a great opportunity for Priso to continue to prove he belongs with the Canada MNT and impress before the World Cup. This is especially because he is filling in for Bombito.
“It’s great that this is a big opportunity for Ralph, he did well in the January camp and game,” said Marsch on Priso per Alexandre Gangue-Ruzic of OneSoccer. “We all looked at him as a midfielder before, and now, out of necessity, Vancouver shifted him into the backline, and he may have found a really good home for himself. What I like about Ralph is that he has an ease to him and a natural fearlessness. No matter how you use him, he winds up inserting himself in the game and being a positive. Will we start him in one of the matches? I’m not sure yet.”
“Let’s see how the camp goes and what he looks like, but I think he’s a candidate to start a match. I think that he’s elevated himself by how he played in January with us and the kind of start to the season he’s had with Vancouver.”
#4: The striker battle
Jonathan David is obviously the top Canadian striker. But one of the questions for the March camp and the World Cup is who will play alongside him.
Right now, it seems Tani Oluwaseyi is the favourite. However, he only has two goals in 23 La Liga matches with Villarreal. But he has worked well with David in recent windows.
Promise David would also be a contender. Unfortunately, the Union SG striker is out for several months with a hip injury.
Cyle Larin has seemed to have regained his form since joining Southampton on loan from Mallorca. In nine matches in the Championship, he has scored three goals and one assist. Larin and the Saints are fighting for a playoff spot with the likes of Wrexham, Hull City, and Ipswich Town. This March window gives Larin the chance to prove he still belongs with the Canada MNT and audition for a spot at the World Cup.
Jacen Russell-Rowe left the Columbus Crew for Ligue 1 side Toulouse in February. He, too, is looking to impress and make the World Cup squad. Russell-Rowe’s speed, finishing and work rate make him a viable candidate for the World Cup squad. He scored his first Canada MNT goal in the non-FIFA friendly against Guatemala in January.
There is new name on the roster and that is Aribim Pepple. The 23-year-old came up through the Calgary Foothills and Cavalry FC systems and currently plays for Plymouth Argyle in League One. Pepple has scored 13 goals in 30 league matches with Plymouth.He is a poacher who is aggressive in the box and has good pace. Pepple is a wild card to make the World Cup roster, but he has the chance to show he can play for Canada MNT and if he impresses, could get called up for future matches.
Let’s get down to business
While these are labeled as friendlies, Marsch and his squad are all business. 78 days are left until the World Cup and Canada needs to make sure they are well-prepared.
