Canada unveils January squad for Guatemala friendly in Los Angeles
Canada will open the year with a January camp and a Tier 1 friendly against Guatemala in Los Angeles. The 20-player roster features eight uncapped players and three selections from the Canadian Premier League.
Canada’s men’s national team will open the new year with a focused January camp and a friendly against Guatemala, as head coach Jesse Marsch named a 20-player roster built around North America–based talent. The match is scheduled for January 17 at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, offering an early test as the program looks ahead to a pivotal 2026.
A camp shaped by timing and opportunity
With the January camp beginning on January 8 and the friendly falling outside an official FIFA window, Canada opted not to include European-based players. Instead, the roster highlights domestic and MLS-based options, giving emerging players a rare chance to impress in a national team environment.
The group includes eight uncapped players, underscoring the developmental focus of the camp while still blending in experienced internationals to maintain balance.
Canadian Premier League representation
Three players from the Canadian Premier League earned selection, reflecting the league’s growing role in the national team pathway. Shola Jimoh of Inter Toronto, Noah Abatneh from Atlético Ottawa, and Tiago Coimbra of the Halifax Wanderers were all included, giving CPL supporters a direct connection to the January squad.
Jesse Marsch sets the tone for 2026
Head coach Jesse Marsch emphasized the importance of the camp as more than just a friendly. He described the gathering as an opportunity for motivated players to stake their claim during a year that will shape the future of the program. With Canada preparing for the challenges ahead, the January window offers a platform for depth-building and internal competition.
The match against Guatemala is classified as a Tier 1 friendly, meaning the result will count toward the FIFA World Rankings, adding competitive weight to the occasion.
Canada roster for January camp vs Guatemala
Goalkeepers
Luka Gavran (Toronto FC)
James Pantemis (Portland Timbers)
Defenders
Noah Abatneh (Atlético Ottawa)
Zorhan Bassong (Sporting Kansas City)
Matteo de Brienne (GAIS)
Richie Laryea (Toronto FC)
Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty (CF Montréal)
Kamal Miller (Portland Timbers)
Joel Waterman (Chicago Fire)
Midfielders
Jeevan Badwal (Vancouver Whitecaps)
Mathieu Choinière (Los Angeles FC)
Marcelo Flores (Tigres)
Jayden Nelson (Vancouver Whitecaps)
Jonathan Osorio (Toronto FC)
Ralph Priso (Vancouver Whitecaps)
Jacob Shaffelburg (Los Angeles FC)
Forwards
Tiago Coimbra (Halifax Wanderers)
Rayan Elloumi (Vancouver Whitecaps)
Shola Jimoh (Inter Toronto)
Jacen Russell-Rowe (Columbus Crew)
A first step into a defining year
While the roster reflects the constraints of the international calendar, it also signals Canada’s depth and growing player pool across North America. The January camp and Guatemala friendly provide a controlled setting to evaluate talent, build chemistry and set expectations as the national team moves closer to the most significant chapter in its modern history.
