Canada roster: 9 MLS players called for Iceland, Tunisia friendlies

Canada head coach Jesse Marsch has named nine MLS players to his 26-man roster for March friendlies vs. Iceland and Tunisia, which kick 2026 FIFA World Cup preparations into high gear.

GOALKEEPERS (3)

Maxime Crépeau - Orlando City
Owen Goodman - Barnsley
Dayne St. Clair - Inter Miami CF

DEFENDERS (8)

Derek Cornelius - Rangers
Luc de Fougerolles - FCV Dender
Richie Laryea - Toronto FC
Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty - Red Bull New York
Kamal Miller - Portland Timbers
Ralph Priso - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Niko Sigur - Hadjuk Split
Joel Waterman - Chicago Fire FC

MIDFIELDERS (9)

Ali Ahmed - Norwich City
Tajon Buchanan - Villarreal
Mathieu Choinière - LAFC
Marcelo Flores - Tigres UANL
Junior Hoilett - Swindon Town
Ismaël Koné - Sassuolo
Liam Millar - Hull City
Jonathan Osorio - Toronto FC
Nathan Saliba - Anderlecht

FORWARDS (6)

Jonathan David - Juventus
Daniel Jebbison - Preston North End
Cyle Larin - Southampton
Tani Oluwaseyi - Villarreal
Aribim Pepple - Plymouth Argyle
Jacen Russell-Rowe - Toulouse

MLS call-ups are bolded above.

March friendlies

March 28 vs. Iceland - 1 pm ET | BMO Field - Toronto, Ontario
March 31 vs. Tunisia - 7:30 pm ET | BMO Field - Toronto, Ontario

Canada head to Toronto FC's BMO Field to host Iceland and Tunisia in World Cup tune-up contests.

It's all building towards this summer, when Canada will co-host the World Cup alongside the United States and Mexico.

MLS call-ups

Goalkeepers Maxime Crépeau (Orlando City) and Dayne St. Clair (Inter Miami CF) are competing for the No. 1 role at the World Cup.

Five MLS defenders were called up, including fullbacks Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty (Red Bull New York) and Richie Laryea (Toronto).

Meanwhile, Portland's Kamal Miller, Chicago's Joel Waterman and Vancouver's Ralph Priso provide experience and depth at central defense.

In midfield, LAFC's Mathieu Choinière has enjoyed a strong start to the season. Toronto's Jonathan Osorio is a mainstay with 88 senior caps.

MLS alums

Three strikers got their start in MLS: Tani Oluwaseyi starred for Minnesota United FC before earning a transfer to LaLiga's Villarreal last year, while Jacen Russell-Rowe joined Ligue 1's Toulouse from the Columbus Crew this winter. Cyle Larin began his pro career with Orlando City via the SuperDraft.

Central midfielders Nathan Saliba and Ismaël Koné developed with CF Montréal, and winger Tajon Buchanan starred for the New England Revolution.

Center back Derek Cornelius and midfielder Ali Ahmed both have Vancouver Whitecaps roots; Ahmed was part of the club's historic 2025 campaign.

Former MLS defenders Alistair Johnston and Moïse Bombito also join the group as training players, recently returning from injuries.

World Cup awaits

Canada are in Group B at the World Cup, where they'll face Qatar, Switzerland and the winner of UEFA Playoff A.

Their final opponent will be revealed on March 31; European nations Bosnia & Herzegovina, Italy, Northern Ireland and Wales are vying to help round out the 48-team World Cup field.