Canada’s national men’s soccer team coach, Jesse Marsch, has assembled a group of 21 players for a training camp scheduled from Thursday to Jan. 18 in California. This specialized camp, held in Irvine, falls outside of the FIFA international window, prompting Marsch to select players who are currently off-season, with the majority based in North America.
The Canadian team is set to compete against Guatemala on Jan. 17 at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles in a Tier 1 international match that contributes to FIFA’s global rankings. Canada holds the 27th spot globally and ranks third in CONCACAF, trailing behind the U.S. and Mexico. On the other hand, Guatemala stands at 94th place worldwide and 10th in the region.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the upcoming camp, Marsch stated, “We’re thrilled to have an additional opportunity for a men’s national team camp in preparation for an important year ahead. We have a talented group of players based in North America who are eager to showcase their abilities.”
The last encounter between Canada and Guatemala took place during the Gold Cup quarterfinals in June 2025, where Guatemala emerged victorious with a 6-5 win in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw. Notably, Canada played with 10 men following the expulsion of winger Jacob Shaffelburg in first-half stoppage time.
Included in the California camp roster are LAFC’s Shaffelburg and Mathieu Choiniere, as well as Toronto FC’s Richie Laryea and Jonathan Osorio, all of whom are likely contenders for the upcoming World Cup. Additionally, other players invited to the camp will aim to strengthen their position within the team.
Defenders Kamal Miller (Portland Timbers) and Joel Waterman (Chicago Fire), along with midfielder Jayden Nelson (Austin FC), are hopeful for a spot in Marsch’s 26-man World Cup squad. Players like Luka Gavran (Toronto FC) and James Pantemis (Portland) are vying for the third goalkeeper position behind Dayne St. Clair and Max Crepeau, who are absent from the camp roster due to their recent club transfers.
Matteo de Brienne, the sole European-based player invited to the camp, currently plays for Sweden’s GAIS. De Brienne previously won the Canadian Premier League Best Canadian Under-21 Player Award in 2023 during his time with Valour FC.
Among the CPL players attending the camp are Noah Abatneh (Atletico Ottawa), Shola Jimoh (Inter Toronto), and Tiago Coimbra (Halifax Wanderers). Abatneh, a CPL Defender of the Year finalist, and Coimbra, a member of the league’s Best XI for 2025, will be looking to make an impression.
Marius Aiyenero, a Canadian youth international playing for Los Angeles FC 2 in the MLS Next Pro league, has been invited as a training player. Aiyenero, who scored goals for Canada in various competitions, will not participate in the match against Guatemala.
Marcelo Flores, currently with Tigres UNAL in Mexico, transitions from a training player in the previous camp to a full participant this time. The 22-year-old dual-national forward, eligible for a one-time FIFA switch, has represented Mexico at the senior level.
Alongside Marsch, his coaching staff, including Mauro Biello, Ewan Sharp, and Yianni Michelis, will be supported by guest coaches during the camp. Canada has a historical record of 10 wins, 2 draws, and 3 losses against Guatemala, with their previous defeats occurring in World Cup qualifying matches.
With limited FIFA international windows before the World Cup, Marsch views the January camp as a crucial opportunity to engage with his players. The camp roster includes players from various clubs, showcasing the depth and talent within the Canadian national team.