Canada's World Cup squad: Find out the full roster of team Canada in Qatar

Canada's World Cup squad: Find out the full roster of team Canada in Qatar

Ciku Njuguna
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:17 PM

Canada and its national football team are among the 32 countries playing in Qatar in 2022. Having made it to the FIFA World Cup only once in history, Canada is seizing this chance to reveal its football prowess. Which players made it to Canada's World Cup squad?

Does Canada have a FIFA team?
The Canadian men's national team celebrates after defeating Jamaica 4-0 in their World Cup Qualifying match at BMO Field in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in March 2022. Photo by Geoff Robins/AFP
Source: Getty Images

Canada's 2022 World Cup squad have made it to history books as the second team to qualify and represent the country on the global stage. This article will give a detailed summary of the country's updated player list.

When was Canada last in the World Cup?

Canada's English team manager, John Herdman has earned himself a spot in the history books after successfully getting the Canadian team through the 2022 World Cup qualifiers for the first time since 1986. The team's determined spirit pushed them to the top of the CONCACAF qualifying group with 28 points automatically booking their spot in Qatar.

The Canucks have proved themselves with their quick ascent to the top under Herdman's management. Their qualification after a 36-year absence attracted the attention of millions of fans who took to social media to express their joy. Click here to learn more about the Canadian national football team.

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Although Canada has never won the FIFA World Cup, their stunning performance could surprise fans and football lovers all over the world. Speaking to FIFA+, Herdman expressed confidence in the team, saying,

“When Belgium and Croatia came out of the hat, we were just rubbing our hands, saying, ‘This is going to be an amazing experience.' We want to create a freedom and have them go in against the De Bruynes, Lukakus, Modrics and relish that chance of pushing their limits against these immortals of the game. As coach, I know that I’ll either be a hero or a zero.”
What is Canada's national soccer team called?
Canada's national soccer team celebrates their win over the United States in their World Cup qualifying match in Hamilton, Ontario, in January 2022. Photo by Geoff Robins/AFP.
Source: Getty Images

In a tweet, Canada's World Cup squad announcement by Herdman revealed a 26-man team that is expected to play in Qatar. Here is a complete list of Canada's World Cup team's ages, positions and teams.

Player

Team

Age in 2022

Position

Dayne St. Claire

Minnesota United

25

Goalkeeper

Milan Borjan

Red Star Belgrade

35

Goalkeeper

James Pantemis

Montreal

25

Goalkeeper

Kamal Miller

Montreal

25

Centre-back

Joel Waterman

Montreal

26

Centre-back

Derek Cornelius

Panetolikos

24

Centre-back

Steven Vitoria

Chaves

35

Centre-back

Alphonso Davies

Bayern Munich

22

Left-back

Sam Adekugbe

Hatayspor

27

Left-back

Alistair Johnston

Montreal

24

Righ-back

Richie Laryea

Toronto FC

27

Righ-back

Samuel Piette

Montreal

28

Defensive midfield

Liam Fraser

KMSK Deinze

24

Defensive midfield

Atiba Hutchinson

Besiktas JK

39

Defensive midfield

Stephen Eustaquio

Porto FC

25

Central midfield

Ismael Kone

Montreal

20

Central midfield

Jonathan Osorio

Toronto FC

30

Central midfield

Mark-Anthony Kaye

Toronto FC

27

Central midfield

David Wotherspoon

St Johnstone

32

Attacking midfield

Liam Millar

FC Basel

23

Left winger

Junior Hoilett

Reading

32

Left winger

Tajon Buchanan

Club Brugge

23

Right winger

Jonathan David

LOSC Lille

22

Centre-forward

Cyle Larin

Club Brugge

27

Centre-forward

Ike Ugbo

Troyes

24

Centre-forward

Lucas Cavallini

Vancouver Whitecaps

29

Centre-forward

Who is Canada's World Cup captain?

Atiba Hutchinson is one of the few players with the most caps for Canada (97 caps). Although the World Cup has not begun yet, it shows promise for the 39-year-old (as of November 2022) midfielder and could be his crowning glory. The team skipper healed from an injury just in time to play in his fifth and last World cup qualifying cycle.

How old is Atiba Hutchinson?
Hutchinson of Besiktas during the Turkish Super Lig match against Akhisar Belediyespor at the Vodafone Park in November 2017 in Istanbul Turkey. Photo by Cees van Hoogdalem/Soccrates.
Source: Getty Images

Who is the best player for Canada's football team?

The likes of famous athletes like Jonathan David, Alphonso Davies, Cyle Larin, Stephen Eustaquio, Tajon Buchanan and other football stars are listed as among the best:

Alphonso Davies

Herdman's announcement confirmed Alphonso Davies will play in the 2022 World Cup amid doubts over a right hamstring injury sustained during a warm-up early this month. The left wingback nicknamed the 'Road Runner' is undeniably one of the most decorated football players in Canadian history.

Jonathan David

David is one of the young players to watch out for during the World Cup 2022. The 'silent assassin' who has recently been considered as Manchester United's potential replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo is known for his prolific tactical goal-scoring skills. Speaking about his choice in the forward, Herdman told talkSPORT that,

"He's very clued up tactically, and that's what I really enjoy about Jonathan. He really wants to get into the details of the game, and understands the pressing tactics. He's a quiet player around the environment and a quiet presence, and has this killer instinct. Tactically very organised and very away, but with that instinct to be able to ghost into a penalty area and do what he does best, and that is score."
Can Jonathan David speak English?
Lille's forward Jonathan (L) shoots towards Ajaccio's goalkeeper during an L1 match at Stade Francois Coty in Ajaccio on the Island of Corsica in August 2022. Photo by Pascal Pochard-Casabianca/AFP.
Source: Getty Images

Cyle Larin

One of the highest goal scorers for the team, Larin has received 13 caps for the Canucks during which he scored 14 goals. The Ontario native revealed to the Guardian that the call-up to the World Cup fulfilled one of his dreams. He said,

“I always wanted to play in a World Cup. When I was growing up a lot of the flags on the streets were for different countries. I always wanted to change that and make a World Cup with the national team.That’s one of the main reasons I want to go and show that Canada can compete with the big teams.”

Tajon Buchanan

In 2021, the right winger was named the CONCACAF Gold Cup Best Young Player. He made one of his most remarkable goals during the Concacaf World Cup qualifying Gold Cup semifinals against Mexico.

Stephen Eustaquio

Who is the highest-rated midfielder in Canada? Herdman was drawn to Eustaquio's commitment to the Canucks, his ball control and his passing skills. According to Infogol, he averages about 34 passes per match with an 83% pass completion rate.

Team Canada's World Cup 2022 jersey

The unexpected quick ascent of the Canucks has been suggested as the reason why Canada does not have a new kit. Nike, the official company that makes Canada's soccer jerseys has drawn the anger of players and Canadians for the lack of new jerseys.

The story of Canada's World Cup squad is inspiring. As they begin their journey to the top, millions of fans and fellow footballers expectantly wait to hold the most coveted trophy in the world. The selected players for the 2022 squad as outlined here have the skillsets to be victorious.

READ ALSO: Who is Aliou Cisse, Senegal's head coach for the World Cup?

Sportsbrief recently published an article about the head coach of the Lions of Teranga, Aliou Cisse. The former midfielder and defender played for Birmingham City, Portsmouth, and the Senegalese national football team before his retirement in July 2009.

As team captain, Cisse brought the Lions of Teranga to incredible heights, including their stunning win over France in the 2002 South Korea and Japan FIFA World Cup opening match. Explore more about the Senegalese manager.

Authors
Ciku Njuguna photo
Ciku Njuguna
Ciku Njuguna is a journalist with 3 year’s experience in content creation based in Kenya. She currently covers sports personnel as well as team biographies.