Canada’s men’s soccer coach Jesse Marsch has assembled a group of 21 players for a training camp that will take place from Thursday to January 18 in California. The camp, situated in Irvine, falls outside the FIFA international window, prompting Marsch to select players currently out of season, with all but one player based in North America.
The Canadian team is set to play against Guatemala on January 17 at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles in a Tier 1 international match that will impact FIFA’s world rankings. Canada holds the 27th spot globally and ranks third in CONCACAF, trailing behind the U.S. and Mexico. In contrast, Guatemala stands at 94th globally and 10th in the region.
Expressing enthusiasm for the upcoming camp, Marsch stated, “We’re thrilled to have an additional opportunity for a men’s national team camp as we approach a crucial year. Our talented squad of North American-based players are eager to showcase their abilities.”
The last encounter between Canada and Guatemala was during the Gold Cup quarterfinals in June 2025, where Guatemala emerged victorious in a penalty shootout, following a 1-1 draw. Notably, Canada played with 10 men after Jacob Shaffelburg received a red card.
The roster for the California camp includes players like LAFC’s Shaffelburg and Mathieu Choiniere, as well as Toronto FC’s Richie Laryea and Jonathan Osorio—all of whom are likely to feature in the World Cup. Additionally, other invitees will strive to impress Marsch for a place in the squad.
Defenders Kamal Miller, Joel Waterman, and midfielder Jayden Nelson hope to secure spots in Marsch’s 26-man World Cup lineup. Meanwhile, Luka Gavran and James Pantemis are competing for the third goalkeeper position behind Dayne St. Clair and Max Crepeau, who are absent from the camp roster due to club transfers.
European-based player Matteo de Brienne, currently with Sweden’s GAIS, is the sole non-North American invitee to the camp. Notable CPL players such as Noah Abatneh, Shola Jimoh, and Tiago Coimbra have also received invitations.
Young talent Marius Aiyenero, a forward playing in the MLS Next Pro league, has been invited as a training player. On the other hand, Marcelo Flores, who plays for Tigres UNAL in Mexico, has transitioned from a training player to a full invitee for Marsch’s camp.
The coaching staff, including Mauro Biello, Ewan Sharp, and Yianni Michelis, will be joined by guest coaches during the camp. With limited FIFA international windows before the World Cup, the January camp offers Marsch an opportunity to work with his players.
Canada’s historical record against Guatemala stands at 10-2-3, with previous losses mainly occurring in World Cup qualifying matches. The upcoming camp serves as a crucial preparation phase for the national team as they gear up for a significant year ahead.
