World Cup 2026 countdown: XI questions facing Canada, Jesse Marsch

We are only one year away from Canada’s first match at World Cup 2026!

It seems as if the tournament is just around the corner, however, there is still the back half of the Major League Soccer season to worry about, and the first half of the next one to contemplate — not to mention another full European campaign to traverse. That means there is a lot of football left between now and kickoff of Canada’s opening match at BMO Field in Toronto on June 12th, 2026.

That is a good thing for Canada. Despite all the positivity surrounding the squad, head coach Jesse Marsch has questions to answer at each and every position, with this month’s Gold Cup the only truly competitive platform left in which to gauge the squad and experiment with.

With that in mind, let’s ask XI questions — broken down by position — facing Marsch and his staff before next year’s World Cup.

Goalkeeper: Is Canada’s No. 1 position just a two-horse race?

It’s a good problem to have. Neither Dayne St. Clair nor Max Crepeau have ever let Les Rouges down when called upon. Struggling with injury this season, Crepeau seems to be playing catch-up to St. Clair, having seen the Minnesota man don the gloves at the Nations League finals earlier this season. Don’t rule out the emergence of Tom McGill either, as the 25-year-old has recently penned a new deal with Brighton and Hove Albion of the English Premier League.  Having spent much of recent seasons on loan, this promises to be a huge summer if he is to either join another club on loan or fight for minutes with the big club. 

Right full-back:  What about Richie and Niko?

It is safe to assume that Glasgow Celtic’s Alistair Johnston has right back sewn up. However, this is an area of strength for Canada. Both Richie Laryea and Niko Sigur are international quality defenders, and they can also both play in midfield. Laryea can slip onto the left side as well.  These two are versatile and the type of option Marsch cherishes. Laryea can provide steel, grit and as much “shithousery” as any footballer at next year’s World Cup, while Sigur has what Marsch refers to as that “Croatian culture.” Both players will be in the squad, but where and for how many minutes will they play?

Centre-back: Is depth a problem or a strength? And what is Bombito’s ceiling?

Canada’s starting CBs — Moise Bombito and Derek Cornelius — are written in with permanent ink. Behind them are a couple of youngsters and a couple of veterans. Kamal Miller and Joel Waterman are experienced campaigners who perhaps lack some footspeed these days.  However, in Luc de Fougerolles and Jamie Knight-Lebel there is genuine excitement for the future. Both ply their trade in England, with Fulham and Bristol City respectively. At 19 and 20, they are well thought of at their clubs but are in that time of their careers where they are in the loan cycle. Where they play this season will be key. Although huge talents and big parts of Canada’s future, is their youth and inexperience something Marsch can lean on in the event of one injury to Bombito or Cornelius?

As for Bombito, how good will he be? It is a shame he is missing the Gold Cup due to wrist surgery, but he will be fresh for the new season at Nice. He is on the radar of some big clubs already, and by June of next year, will be the best defender in Concacaf? In truth, he might already be.

Left full-back: Who will be healthy?

Left back is obviously Alphonso Davies’s terrain and any thought of experimenting with him further up the pitch was likely put on ice following the ACL injury that will keep him out well into next season. So, when will Phonzie be back in action? According to the man himself in German newspaper Bild recently: “November, hopefully … that’s the plan.” Great news indeed, as the Bayern Munich star’s health is critical to Canada’s hopes. Whitecaps star Sam Adekugbe has been deployed in the position of late after missing several camps due to … yes, injury. The aforementioned Laryea can do a job on the left but has also been injured more than he’s been healthy over the past couple of years. As such, Zorhan Bassong of Sporting KC has earned some minutes with Canada and has shown well. Left back, much like right back, is a strength … when players are healthy.

Right wing: Tajon is back … right?

For the sake of this column, we are focusing on a 4-4-2 formation, although that is in name only.  Modern football teams are as rigid as a slinky in a yoga class, but wide players are wingers in any system. From what we saw vs. Ukraine in the Canadian Shield, Canada’s best wideman could be back. Tajon Buchanan’s leg break woes are behind him, as he played well on loan at Villarreal to end the season and looks set to take a giant step ahead of the World Cup — assuming he can sort out his club situation. Make no mistake, good Tajon is imperative for Canada.

Canada’s Tajon Buchanan (17) scores past the Ukraine goalkeeper during the Canadian Shield Tournament. (Chris Young/CP)

Central midfield: Can Kone find his game? And if not, who partners with Eustaquio?

It goes without saying Stephen Eustaquio will start for Canada. Coming out of Copa America, it was assumed that Ismael Kone would be his partner. A difficult first season in France that saw him loaned out from Marseille to Rennes resulted in a player that looked devoid of confidence, a young player that perhaps should have played another year in Montreal. 

The raw talent is still there, though. This is a huge summer for Kone (again) as he needs to follow a busy international season with a smart move at club level, likely on loan again. 

If not, who out of Mathieu Choiniere or Nathan Saliba is the next man waiting? Choiniere’s proficiency from set-pieces is a huge bonus, but Saliba’s all-around game screams, well, Kone.  Could he follow suit and leave Quebec, and will it be the right time to do so?

Left wing: Is Millar the X-factor?

Jacob Shaffelburg made his name at Copa America, while Jayden Nelson has earned rave reviews ever since returning to North America last season with the ‘Caps. Neither have cemented their position on the left just yet, however, which brings up the forgotten man. Liam Millar was also a victim of the ACL bug, tearing his while on Hull City duty last October. Millar had shown flashes of excellence on the left of Canada’s midfield, forming a dangerous and effective partnership with Davies. Can Millar get healthy, in form and back in contention for Canada? It’s a great internal battle to watch.

Strikers: Where does David end up? And who will be his foil?

No doubt the two most fascinating questions one-year out from the World Cup are up top.

Jonathan David is arguably Canada’s most important player. Having played out his contract with Lille, will he join a super club where he will fight for minutes, or will he land at a club where he will walk into the first team? Marsch will need to know if his top man will have his timing down as a regular starter. Betting says yes!

Such riches up front, eh? Cyle Larin has been the perfect No. 2 to David’s No. 1 over the last few years. They know each other so well, and Marsch has no doubt in the trust he places in the Brampton man. However, with youngsters Promise David and Daniel Jebbison pushing for minutes and set for big club seasons, is Larin’s spot secure?  And how about those even younger than David and Jebbison? Gabe Biancheri is a product of Manchester United. The 18-year-old enjoyed his first Canada camp this past week, and to say staff are excited is an understatement.

There are a lot of questions facing this squad one-year out from the World Cup, but perhaps for the first time in Canadian soccer history, they surround the depth of players the national team has at its disposal.

These next 12 months will fly by, but Marsch will need the time make sure his Canadian squad is ready for the big show in 2026.

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