Canada names 26-player squad for World Cup homecoming matches

Canada’s men’s national team will reunite for the first time since its historic run at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Jesse Marsch naming a 26-player squad for three matches against Chile, Peru and the United States.

The September-October international window begins with Canada’s return to home soil. CANMNT will host Chile at BMO Field in Toronto on Sept. 26 before facing Peru at Stade Saputo in Montréal on Oct. 3.

Canada will then travel to Minnesota for another meeting with the United States on Oct. 6 at Allianz Field.

The two Canadian dates have been billed as “The Homecoming,” giving the national team its first opportunity to play in front of home supporters since reaching the knockout stage of a World Cup for the first time.

Canada reunites after historic World Cup run

The three matches begin the next stage for a Canadian side coming off the most successful World Cup campaign in program history.

Canada opened the tournament with a 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina before defeating Qatar 6-0 for its first World Cup victory.

A 2-1 defeat to Switzerland in the final group match was still enough to send Canada into the knockout stage. Stephen Eustáquio then scored a 92nd-minute winner in a 1-0 victory over South Africa, sending CANMNT into the Round of 16.

Canada’s tournament ended with a 3-0 loss to Morocco in Houston on July 4.

“We’re excited to get the group back together following a historic summer,” Marsch said. “This team left everything out there at the World Cup, and now we get to do it again in front of the fans who were with us every step of the way.”

Toronto and Montréal to welcome Canada home

Canada’s first match since the World Cup will come against Chile on Saturday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. ET at BMO Field.

The team then moves to Montréal for its meeting with Peru on Saturday, Oct. 3 at 2 p.m. ET at Stade Saputo.

Both matches will also include recognition for two longtime members of the national team.

Junior Hoilett will be celebrated in Toronto. The Brampton native has made 69 appearances for Canada since joining the senior national team in 2015.

Samuel Piette will receive a similar recognition in his hometown of Montréal. The CF Montréal captain also has 69 appearances and has represented Canada since making his senior debut at 17 in 2012.

Another chapter in Canada-USA rivalry

The window concludes against a familiar opponent.

Canada will face the United States on Tuesday, Oct. 6 at Allianz Field in St. Paul, Minnesota, with kickoff scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.

It will be the 43rd meeting between the neighbouring countries, with Canada entering the match after winning the previous two.

Canada ended a 67-year wait for a victory on U.S. soil with a 2-1 win in Kansas City in September 2024. The Canadians followed that result with another 2-1 victory over the Americans in the 2024-25 Concacaf Nations League third-place match at SoFi Stadium.

The three-match window will also serve as preparation for Canada’s next competitive assignment.

CANMNT will return to Concacaf Nations League action in November, entering directly in the League A quarterfinals after finishing third in the 2025-26 competition. The two-legged tie will determine whether Canada advances to the Nations League Finals at SoFi Stadium in March 2027.

For Marsch and his players, however, the immediate focus begins in Toronto, where the national team will step onto Canadian soil for the first time since turning its home World Cup into the deepest run in program history.