ROSTER DROP: Jesse Marsch names deep CanMNT 🇨🇦 squad for pre-World Cup tune-ups vs. Iceland, Tunisia

Just 85 days before the Canadian men’s national team play their first World Cup match on home soil, manager Jesse Marsch named a 26-player squad for the March international window. 

Canada’s penultimate opportunity to play friendlies before the big dance, they meet Iceland on Saturday, March 28 (2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT) and Tunisia on Tuesday, March 31 (7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT) at BMO Field, the same stadium where they kick off this summer’s action on June 12. Both matches will be available live on OneSoccer. 

While most of the squad consists of regulars, it features a first-time call-up for Plymouth Argyle striker Aribim Pepple. The 23-year-old, who made his professional debut for Cavalry FC in the Canadian Premier League back in 2019, has been the most prolific Canadian player in Europe this year with 14 goals in all competitions.  

Following the filing of his one-time change of associations from Mexico, Tigres midfielder Marcelo Flores also looks to make his Canadian national team debut. He was initially called into January’s camp in Los Angeles, but later withdrew. 

Preston North End striker Daniel Jebbison, meanwhile, is back in the squad for the first time since this summer’s Gold Cup. 

Celtic defender Alistair Johnston and Nice’s Moïse Bombito also make their long-awaited returns to camp, doing so as training players as they continue to recover from long-term injuries. Their reintegration into the group, however, remains vital as both are expected to play key roles at this summer’s tournament. 

However, a sizeable contingent is unavailable for this camp through injury, including captain Alphonso Davies, key midfielder Stephen Eustáquio, Promise David, Jacob Shaffelburg and Alfie Jones. 

Overall, with the exception of Pepple, there are few surprises, which, this close to a World Cup, is likely a positive with just four preparation matches remaining. Every minute on the pitch, and training session, is vital for Marsch to determine his final group. As is, crucially, the would-be starters for that opening match on June 12 getting as many of those minutes together as possible. 

Below is the full squad: