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Canada Soccer Full Roster Analysis: Alphonso Davies, BC Talents Feature in Nations League Squad

Jesse Marsch will welcome Alphonso Davies back into Canada's men's squad for the first competitive matches since the World Cup.

Ben SteinerNovember 3, 2026Soccer FIFA World Cup Vancouver Whitecaps FC Canada men's national soccer team

Niko Sigur, Alphonso Davies, Jesse Marsch, Joel Waterman, Canada Soccer — All images courtesy of @CanMNT/Instagram

BC’s presence on Canada's men’s national soccer team remains consistent, even as the BC-heavy past of the 20th century and 2000s drifts further into history.

On Tuesday, Canada Soccer announced that Burnaby’s Niko Sigur and Langley's Joel Waterman were part of head coach Jesse Marsch’s 23-man squad for a two-leg Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal series against Guatemala, Canada’s first competitive games since a historic elimination in the round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup.

The team also includes Vancouver Whitecaps center back Ralph Priso and three former Whitecaps, headlined by the return of captain and FC Bayern Munich superstar Alphonso Davies, who missed the three-game September-October international break for his honeymoon.

In addition to Davies, ex-Whitecaps Maxime Crépeau and Richie Laryea bring a veteran presence to the squad.

Another B.C.-born regular, right back Alistair Johnston, misses the camp with a lingering hamstring injury. Other notable absences include injured centre backs Moïse Bombito, Alfie Jones and Derek Cornelius, as well as midfielder Ismaël Koné, winger Ali Ahmed and striker Cyle Larin, all recovering from injuries. Vice-captain Stephen Eustàquio is also absent, despite scoring for Swansea City on Oct. 31.

Here, Sports Page BC looks at three key takeaways from Canada’s latest roster, which will play the away leg on Nov. 13 and the home leg on Nov. 16 in Toronto.

Will Alphonso Davies Play and Where?

Alphonso Davies is back. That’s good news.

While he hasn't played meaningful international minutes since the 2025 Concacaf Nations League semifinals due to injury and personal reasons, his return is a bright spot for Canada’s hopes, especially as he enjoys outstanding form in Germany.

Although Davies hasn't had much significant involvement, his place in Marsch’s 4-4-2 formation is in question. Traditionally a left-back at Bayern Munich, he has shifted into a more offensive role in recent weeks and thrived, scoring two goals and an assist in his last four games across the Bundesliga and UEFA Champions League.

He has also spoken publicly about his desire to play in a more advanced role, but has had little opportunity to do so under Marsch.

If Marsch sticks with the 4-4-2, Davies could naturally return to left-back, meaning Laryea would shift to right-back. However, the possibility of putting the 26-year-old speedster at left midfield is more plausible than ever, given his recent success and the fact that he currently ranks as the fastest player in the German top flight, with a top speed of 36.51 km/h this season.

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That would have a ripple effect, though, potentially pushing out Liam Millar—who has four goals and three assists in nine games with English second-tier side Birmingham City this season.

Davies’ form, combined with his speed and physicality, is an incredible weapon that could elevate Jonathan David’s production in a national team shirt and help address Canada’s broader offensive struggles.

Realistically, Davies is likely to get significant minutes only on the high-quality grass pitch at Toronto’s BMO Field and will be a long shot to get any playing time in Guatemala.

Who is the Second Striker with Jonathan David?

Jonathan David has three goals and two assists in six La Liga games with Atlético Madrid and remains Canada’s first-choice striker. He is likely to play both games, given the injury absence of in-form Southampton striker Cyle Larin. However, he hasn’t scored in 232 minutes he’s played since the September-October window.

The bigger question is whether CF Villarreal’s Tani Oluwaseyi, who recently scored against Liverpool in the Champions League, and Promise David, who has struggled to find minutes with Premier League side Brighton and Hove Albion since his move from an illustrious few years with Belgium’s Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, can make an impact.

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Oluwaseyi has proven he can get into scoring positions with Canada and has the pace to break through a defensive line, or chase a long ball if Canada lacks ideas against a low defensive block, as they often do.

His finishing remains the question—but his club form could be good enough, especially against a pesky Guatemalan side. Promise’s finishing and physicality could be a good fit, even though he likely won't be a full 90-minute option in Marsch’s demanding system.

While those two are frontrunners, Toulouse striker Jacen Russell-Rowe offers a mix of speed and tenacity, especially after a bright substitute performance in the September win over Chile. Daniel Jebbison showed well with an assist on Oct. 3 against Peru, but has not played since a 25-minute appearance against the USMNT on Oct. 6.

Regardless, questions remain about how Canada will face a Guatemalan side expected to sit in a low block, with the added intrigue of Davies’ pace in a more attacking space—or Millar’s red-hot form—adding new complexity to Canada’s goalscoring puzzle.

Can Newer Faces Make an Impact?

The first competitive games since the World Cup give Canada a chance to shift the focus further toward the 2030 World Cup squad, while also chasing a Nations League title in the hunt to end a 27-year trophy drought.

Some of the newer faces in the mix could play a role in both. 18-year-old Toronto FC defender Richard Chukwu and 21-year-old FK Sarajevo centre-back Jovan Ivanisevic return after making their Canada debuts in the last camp and will look to make a bigger impact. Both could play elevated roles, given the injuries to veteran center backs Moïse Bombito, Derek Cornelius and Alfie Jones, opening up a starting spot alongside Real Salt Lake's Luc De Fougerolles.

Chukwu’s inclusion is most notable. Marsch maligned his habits and efforts in Canada’s U20 Concacaf Championship camp, and publicly challenged him ahead of his first senior call-up. While he showed brief moments in 65 minutes against Peru in October, his habits must have caught Marsch’s eye, given he's earned another call in consecutive windows. Ivanisevic should earn minutes as well, given his physical edge at 6”3’ and his 10 starts in a challenging Bosnian Premier League.

Between the sticks, this could also be the perfect opportunity to give Dundee FC’s 22-year-old goalkeeper Owen Goodman his first competitive Canadian minutes, even though Crépeau likely remains as starter.

Kevin Khan is the lone new face in the mix and will be a key point of this camp. The 18-year-old had six goals in 13 appearances for Canada’s U17s. Since graduating from that level, he has been a standout with Dutch side Feyenoord’s youth setup and has attracted interest from major European clubs, despite not yet making a first-team appearance. Don’t expect him to get significant minutes, but he’s a name to watch.