There are 30 days left until the Canada MNT plays their first game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Canadians will be facing Bosnia and Herzegovina at Toronto Stadium on June 12. The Bosnians have already unveiled their squad for the World Cup and are led by veteran striker Eden Dzeko.
Teams are expected to submit their 26-man rosters by May 30, and unveilings should take place by June 2. I’ve already written my prediction for the Canada MNT World Cup roster, which you can check out here.
Canada also has a couple of pre-World Cup friendlies. On June 1, they will face Uzbekistan at Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium and then the Republic of Ireland on June 5 at Montreal’s Stade Saputo.
With a month to go until the tournament, there are still some questions that need to be answered surrounding the Canada MNT.
#1: Will Alphonso Davies be ready in time?
Alphonso Davies can’t catch a break.
Davies, Bayern Munich’s left-back, suffered a left hamstring injury during the 1-1 UCL semi-final draw to PSG last week. He is expected to miss 4-5 weeks, putting his World Cup participation in doubt given the timing.
After a major knee injury sidelined him for nine months in 2025, Davies has struggled with fitness, missing time this year with muscle and hamstring issues.
Davies revealed on his YouTube channel last year that his long-term injury affected his mental health.
“I had a mental breakdown,” he said. “I don’t know what happened to me. I took a shower, and then I burst into tears.”
Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany also shared his concerns regarding Davies’ mental health.
“Physically, I’m not worried about him; he’ll be back, and everything will be fine,” said Kompany to the media on May 9. “But mentally, it’s extremely tough. These small injuries that keep coming back are difficult to deal with. We’ll see what happens regarding the World Cup. We’re helping and supporting him. I’d just look Phonzy in the eye and tell him to keep going. There’s no other way. He shouldn’t be afraid. Fear is the biggest enemy in this kind of situation.”
It would be a massive blow for Davies, Canada MNT and Canadian soccer fans if he misses the World Cup on home soil.
#2: Who on the outside looking in could make the Canada MNT World Cup squad?
TSN reporter Matthew Scinanitti revealed that the Canada MNT do have a World Cup provisional squad but has chosen not to reveal it publicly.
That begs the question: Outside of the obvious names, who could be on that provisional squad and have a chance to make the World Cup squad?
One of those is likely Aribim Pepple. The 23-year-old has 16 goals in 35 appearances for Plymouth Argyle in League One. Pepple has also received interest from EFL Championship and MLS clubs, but his preference is to stay in Europe.
With Promise David’s injury and Cyle Larin’s resurgence in form, there is competition for striker depth with the likes of Tani Oluwaseyi, Daniel Jebbison and Jacen Russell-Rowe. Pepple may give Jebbison and Russell-Rowe competition and give Canada MNT head coach Jesse Marsch something to think about.
But there are a few others who could be on the preliminary squad that have an outside chance of making the World Cup roster. One of those is Portland Timbers centre-back, Kamal Miller. He was a member of the 2022 World Cup Canada squad, but has fallen off the radar since Marsch came in. Miller did not have a good window in March, but he does seem to be in decent form with the Timbers. Given Canada MNT’s injury crisis at the back and Miller’s experience, it makes sense if he is on the preliminary list.
Another name that has been turning heads and could be on the preliminary list is Jeevan Badwal. The 20-year-old Vancouver Whitecap is a very long shot to make the Canada MNT World Cup squad, but is likely on the preliminary roster. He has excelled as a midfielder, number 10 and a winger with the Whitecaps. Badwal obviously does not upstage Eustaquio, Koné, Saliba, Choinière and Osorio on the Canada MNT midfield depth chart. He is someone to watch for 2030, but if there is a Canadian midfielder injury before the World Cup, Badwal should be looked at.
#3: The long-lasting goalkeeper question
The question of who will be starting goalkeeper at the World Cup for the Canada MNT still remains unanswered. Unfortunately, both Dayne St. Clair and Maxime Crépeau have not been in the best form recently.
Crépeau is on an Orlando City SC team that has conceded 34 goals, the worst in MLS. Some of the goals couldn’t really be blamed on him, but a few have. Crépeau has given up 12 goals in his last five games.
For St. Clair, his Inter Miami have had some issues defensively as well. But St. Clair has come up with the big saves when needed and has given up nine goals in his last five games.
One name to watch is James Pantemis. The Portland goalkeeper is eighth in MLS in save percentage (71.6%) and is second insaves per 90. (4.8) Pantemis has given up six goals in his last five games.
It wouldn’t be surprising if Pantemis is on the prelim roster. At this rate, he could make the World Cup squad as the third string.
30 days left until Canada competes at the World Cup, but will they be ready to impress?
