Canada’s national men’s soccer team coach, Jesse Marsch, has selected a group of 21 players to participate in a training camp from Thursday to January 18 in California. The camp, located in Irvine, falls outside of a FIFA international window, prompting Marsch to choose players who are currently out of season, with the majority based in North America.
The Canadian team is set to compete against Guatemala on January 17 at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles in a Tier 1 international match that will impact FIFA’s world rankings. Currently ranked 27th globally and third in CONCACAF, Canada faces Guatemala, positioned 94th in the world and 10th in the region.
Expressing enthusiasm for the upcoming camp, Marsch highlighted the opportunity for the North American-based players to showcase their skills ahead of an important year for the team. Notably, players like LAFC’s Shaffelburg and Choiniere, alongside Toronto FC’s Laryea and Osorio, are anticipated to play key roles in the upcoming World Cup.
Several camp invitees, including defenders Kamal Miller and Joel Waterman, along with midfielder Jayden Nelson, are aiming to secure a spot in Marsch’s 26-man World Cup roster. Notably, Matteo de Brienne, the only European-based player in the camp, previously won the Canadian Premier League’s Best Canadian Under-21 Player Award in 2023.
Additionally, Canadian youth international Marius Aiyenero, who competes for Los Angeles FC 2 in the MLS Next Pro league, has been included as a training player. The camp will also feature Marcelo Flores, who previously served as a training player in Marsch’s November camp and now receives a full invitation.
With a limited number of FIFA international windows before the World Cup, the January camp provides Marsch with crucial time to work with his players. The training camp also includes guest coaches and aims to strengthen the team’s performance against Guatemala.
Canada’s historical record against Guatemala stands at 10 wins, 2 losses, and 3 draws, with previous defeats occurring during World Cup qualifying matches. As the team prepares for the World Cup, the January camp serves as a pivotal opportunity for Marsch to assess and refine his squad for upcoming challenges.