Canada's Pre-World Cup Games: Uzbekistan and Ireland Await

Charlotte Is Where the Final Cut Begins

Canada Soccer's Men's National Team opened its last pre-tournament training camp in Charlotte, North Carolina on 25 May, with 32 players reporting for sessions that will shape the official roster before a single ball is kicked in the World Cup. Jesse Marsch has until 29 May to reduce that group to 26, and the announcement will air as a primetime special simultaneously on TSN, CTV, Crave and RDS at 7:00 PM ET and 4:00 PM PT. Marsch set the tone from Charlotte: "These are the final days before we announce the squad that will represent Canada at a home World Cup, and the excitement in this group is real."

For the road to 2026, this matters because camp openings in late May are the last chance to integrate late inclusions: the clock on selection is shorter than it appears. Trimming from 32 to 26 forces decisions about bench depth and positional cover that echo through the entire group stage, where Canada faces Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar and Switzerland in matches that could hinge on a single substitute's performance.

Edmonton First, Montréal Second

Once Marsch names his squad on 29 May, the team heads north for two competitive send-off matches. On 1 June, Canada faces Uzbekistan at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton; on 5 June, the Republic of Ireland visit Stade Saputo in Montréal. Both fixtures air live on TSN and RDS, presented by BMO, giving supporters across the country a first look at the confirmed roster in action. For those planning their viewing schedule, how to watch every match across TSN, CTV and Crave covers all 104 World Cup games.

The Edmonton date carries extra weight because Alphonso Davies is scheduled to arrive in the city on 31 May, one day before the Uzbekistan match. Marsch confirmed that Bayern Munich ran Davies through treatment protocols unavailable in North America to speed his hamstring recovery, then told reporters: "Alfonso will be here on the 31st in Edmonton; the best thing for him was to continue his initial recovery treatment until the 28th, then we're giving him a few days to get away, and then he'll be joining us the 31st and we'll pick up his rehab from there" (Fox Sports, 25 May). Whether Davies sees minutes against Uzbekistan is an open question, but the Edmonton fixture gives the coaching staff their first chance to assess him on the pitch.

The 32 in Charlotte

The training camp squad covers every position, with goalkeepers Maxime Crépeau, Owen Goodman and Dayne St. Clair all pressing for the three keeper spots. The defensive group includes Davies alongside Richie Laryea, Alistair Johnston, Moïse Bombito, Derek Cornelius and Joel Waterman, among others. Midfield runs from the veteran Jonathan Osorio to the dynamic Ismaël Koné and Tajon Buchanan, while six forwards compete for roster places with Jonathan David the unchallenged focal point of Canada's attack. All three group-stage venues and kickoff times are listed on Canada's full World Cup schedule.

The Countdown Is Real

Canada's group-stage fixtures run on 12 June against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto, 18 June against Switzerland in Vancouver and 24 June against Qatar in Vancouver. Those cities, and the supporters who filled their stands through years of CONCACAF qualifying, have been building toward exactly this moment. The Vancouver World Cup 2026 host guide covers everything supporters need for the two BC Place fixtures. Marsch left no doubt about his group's readiness: "We have a group of players who are incredibly excited and ready to represent Canada at a home World Cup."

Sources

• Canada Soccer: CANMNT Charlotte Training Camp Squad Named Ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026
• Canada Soccer: Roster Unveil Primetime Special on TSN, CTV, Crave and RDS (29 May)
• Fox Sports: Canada Coach Believes Davies Will Play in World Cup, but Probably Not Opener (25 May 2026)