AFC Toronto heads to World Sevens Football with first international roster
AFC Toronto has announced its 18-player squad for the inaugural World Sevens Football tournament, taking place from December 5 to 7 in Fort Lauderdale. The club boasts recent achievements in the Northern Super League and aims to showcase talent against top teams. Every match will be streamed live on DAZN.
AFC Toronto has named the 18 players who will represent the club at World Sevens Football, the team’s first-ever appearance on the international stage. The tournament, now in its second edition, runs from December 5 to 7 at Beyond Bancard Field in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and will gather top women’s sides from across the Americas to compete for a record-setting 5 million USD prize pool.
The announcement comes on the heels of a historic opening campaign for AFC Toronto in the Northern Super League. After capturing the league’s first Supporters’ Shield and finishing as 2025 regular-season champions, the club now carries that momentum into its debut abroad. AFC Toronto enters the competition as the NSL’s official representative, becoming the first team invited to World Sevens Football based on domestic performance.
AFC Toronto’s squad for the tournament features a balanced mix of experience, leadership, and emerging talent:
Goalkeepers
Sierra Cota-Yarde
Danielle Krzyzaniak
Defenders
Ashley Cathro
Victoria Pickett
Sarah Rollins
Kaela Hansen
Midfielders
Cloey Uddenberg
Emma Regan (Captain)
Sarah Stratigakis
Nikayla Small
Colby Barnett
April Lantaigne
Zoe Burns
Forwards
Kaila Novak
Esther Okoronkwo
Kaylee Hunter
Jade Kovacevic
Lauren Rowe
Sporting Director Billy Wilson praised the opportunity, noting that finishing the club’s first year in such a high-profile tournament reflects the progress made in 2025. He emphasized that facing global opponents in a fast-paced format will be a valuable test, especially against storied sides like Flamengo, Tigres, and Kansas City.
Captain Emma Regan echoed the excitement, highlighting how meaningful it is for the team to reach the international stage so early in its journey. She pointed to the culture built throughout the season and said the invitation to W7F is a recognition of the group’s work both on and off the field.
AFC Toronto will navigate a challenging group schedule:
December 5 vs. Tigres UANL Femenil (Liga MX Femenil) at 7:00 p.m. ET
December 6 vs. CR Flamengo (Brasileirão Série A1) at 11:30 a.m. ET
December 6 vs. Kansas City Current (NWSL) at 4:30 p.m. ET
Every match will be streamed live and free on DAZN, offering fans in Canada and beyond full access to the club’s tournament run.
World Sevens Football uses a high-tempo 7v7 format played on a smaller field, designed to encourage constant movement, attacking play, and rapid transitions. The competition made waves during its inaugural edition in Estoril earlier this year, culminating in Bayern München’s dramatic win over Manchester United in the final.
The tournament now arrives in North America with eight top clubs battling across three days for one of the most significant prize pools in the women’s game.
As AFC Toronto steps into its first international competition, the club continues shaping its identity as an ambitious, forward-thinking team committed to excellence and to elevating the women’s football landscape globally.
