Canada’s men’s national team is preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with two friendly matches this week, starting Monday against Uzbekistan at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton. The team will use the games to sharpen its form before the tournament begins in less than two weeks. Fans can watch the match live on the TSN Network, TSN.ca and the TSN App, with pre-game coverage beginning at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT.
Head coach Jesse Marsch is facing major lineup challenges as several important players continue to battle injuries. Canada recently suffered another setback when Marcelo Flores was ruled out for the World Cup after tearing his ACL in the Concacaf Champions Cup final while playing for Tigres UANL. Marsch has until June 11 to name a replacement, with Jayden Nelson, Daniel Jebbison and Junior Hoilett all mentioned as possible options.
For Monday’s match, Canada will get some help back in defense. Richie Laryea is expected to play after missing recent Toronto FC matches with a thigh injury, while Moïse Bombito will also be given minutes as he continues returning to full fitness after a fractured tibia suffered last October with Nice. However, Marsch has ruled out midfielders Ali Ahmed and Jacob Shaffelburg because of injuries. Alphonso Davies, one of Canada’s biggest stars, is also unavailable for the Uzbekistan match after suffering a hamstring injury with Bayern Munich. His status for Canada’s World Cup opener against Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 12 remains uncertain.
Marsch said most players are expected to play about 45 minutes, with several changes likely at halftime as Canada manages workloads and evaluates options. One of the most watched decisions concerns the goalkeeping situation. Maxime Crépeau is set to start the first half against Uzbekistan, while Dayne St. Clair will take over after halftime. Both keepers are competing for the role in Canada’s opening World Cup match, making Monday’s game an important audition.
Canada will also continue its World Cup buildup with another friendly against Ireland on Friday. With injuries limiting continuity, the matches against Uzbekistan and Ireland will give Marsch a final chance to test combinations, assess fitness and determine his squad’s readiness ahead of the team’s first major tournament match at home in Toronto.
Rain is expected to continue in Edmonton on Monday, adding another layer of difficulty to the first of Canada’s two final tune-up games.
