MATCH PREVIEW: CanMNT set to kick off busy 2026 slate with 'Camp Poutine' matchup vs. Guatemala
The CanMNT are set to kick off their 2026 slate of matches in Los Angeles this weekend, as they’ll take on Guatemala in a friendly at BMO Stadium on Saturday, capping off their first January Camp since 2021.
In a rematch of the 2025 Gold Cup quarter-finals, which featured an impressive upset from Guatemala on penalties, revenge won’t be at the front of mind for Canadians, however - their focus lies on continuing to prepare for the start of the 2026 World Cup.
Starting off 2026 with a bang! 🔥
— CANMNT (@CANMNT_Official) December 30, 2025
Tickets for #CANMNT’s January matchup v. Guatemala in Los Angeles are on sale now.
🎫: https://t.co/N81utt9dlR pic.twitter.com/BgMNhWNdkX
Given their position as tournament co-hosts, that will continue to dominate their focus over the next six months, and for good reason - this World Cup promises to truly be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for this team.
At the same time, that doesn’t mean that this Canadian side won’t bring any intensity to this game, fuelled by the frustration of that Gold Cup loss. Despite having mostly played friendlies in 2025, with a lack of World Cup qualifiers on their schedule, they’ve typically done a good job of bringing intensity to matches that typically might be lacking such energy, anyway.
This game should be no exception, as despite having a shorthanded squad, this Canadian team is filled with players hungry to prove themselves. While this camp is designed so that some key players who are out of season can refind their feet ahead of a World Cup year, this is also a great opportunity for some fringe players to step up and show that they’re deserving of a bigger role going forward, too.
Which Camp Poutine call-up do you want to see make their CanMNT 🇨🇦 debut on Saturday vs. Guatemala 🇬🇹? pic.twitter.com/ZCEtEEyj1S
— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) January 15, 2026
Because of that, this Canadian team will expect to put in a good performance, as they continue to flex their growing depth as a side.
Speaking of their depth, however, it remains to be seen what kind of lineup this Canadian team puts out for this match. Given what this camp is meant for, it’s expected that they put out a pretty experienced lineup, in theory, but there is always room for surprises.
With some big friendlies ahead in March and June, there isn’t much time for head coach Jesse Marsch to look at some new faces ahead of the World Cup after this camp, so perhaps he might shake things up for this match, given that there is less at stake in this matchup.
That could be good news for players like Ralph Priso, Matteo de Brienne, Shola Jimoh, Rayan Elloumi and Tiago Coimbra, who are a handful of the many new (or relatively new) inclusions in this team for this window. With Marsch having a pretty good handle on what he should expect from veterans such as Kamal Miller and Jonathan Osorio, he could be tempted to shake up his team with some fresh blood. 
Either way, though, some new faces will earn opportunities, be it as starters or off the bench. Mathematically, Marsch has no choice - just eight players in this squad have earned previous caps, meaning that there will be several debutants in this match, both as starters and substitutes.
So even if Marsch goes for a more familiar lineup, that means that all of his substitutions will be new faces, which could be good news for some of the younger attackers, such as Jimoh, Elloumi and Coimbra, in particular, should they have to start the game on the bench.
What we do know, though, is that while the players will be new, Canada’s identity should be consistent, as it has been under Marsch since his arrival. Barring a major surprise, his team will line up in a 4-2-2-2, and will expect to press high up the pitch.
Now, what we don’t know, however, is what to expect from Guatemala. Despite having several intriguing players playing in MLS and the USL, they’ve turned to a domestic-heavy squad, with all but two of their players called up playing in the Guatemalan league - the two exceptions are Damian Rivera, who plays for Phoenix Rising in the USL, and Matt Evans, who plays for LAFC.
📋ɴᴏ́ᴍɪɴᴀ ᴏꜰɪᴄɪᴀʟ · 𝗦𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗖𝗖𝗜𝗢́𝗡 𝗠𝗔𝗬𝗢𝗥 𝗠𝗔𝗦𝗖𝗨𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗔
— FFG🇬🇹 (@fedefut_oficial) January 15, 2026
El Director Técnico Luis Fernando Tena, convoca a los siguientes jugadores para el partido Amistoso Internacional ante la Selección de Canadá.
🗓17 enero 2026
🏟️BMO Stadium#ModoSelección 💙🇬🇹💪 pic.twitter.com/1THlGlpJCb
Therefore, look for Guatemala to be extremely organized and disciplined, much like they were in their Gold Cup match, in which they also used a strong contingent of local players. While they might miss the quality of players such as Rubio Rubín, who scored against Canada, and Aaron Herrera, Luis Fernando Tena’s side will look to make up for their absence in the collective.
When they’ve had any success over the last few years, that’s been a key hallmark of their identity, as they’ve tried to build a team that is hard to beat, something they proved at the Gold Cup.
Of course, it’s worth noting that they’re reeling at the moment, as they narrowly missed out on qualification for the 2026 World Cup (and even the intercontinental playoff) by a matter of points this fall, but that just means this is the start of a new cycle for them - and with that could bring some new ideas.
All of that to say, that just gives an early impression of what’s at stake for both teams. This match might not carry the same weight as what’s ahead for this Canadian team, but it’s certainly an important jumping-off point for them - and the same goes for Guatemala, as they start to turn their eyes towards a new cycle.
Watch Canada vs. Guatemala LIVE on OneSoccer this Saturday, January 17th (7:00 p.m. PT/10:00 p.m. ET)
Projected Lineups:
Canada: Pantemis; Laryea, Waterman, Priso, Bassong; Osorio, Choinière; Nelson, Jimoh; Elloumi, Russell-Rowe
Guatemala: Navarro; Ardón, Pinto, Samayoa, Morales; Rosales, Franco; Santis, Altan, Muñoz; Lom
All-Time Series:
Canada wins: 10 | Guatemala wins: 3 | Draws: 3
Last meeting: Jun. 29, 2025 – Canada 1-1 Guatemala (5-6 on penalties)
