Canada announces MLS-heavy pre-World Cup squad

Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

Alphonso Davies isn’t playing for the Canada squad in their next match.

But don’t freak out: it’s by design.

Canada’s next game ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup is in just nine days, when they travel to Al Muharraq Stadium in Arad, Bahrain, against the Bahraini national team.

And though Canada’s developed many stars — like Davies and Jonathan David — playing in the top European leagues, few of them will feature in one of Canada’s final two tune-up matches before the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

“As the camp falls just outside the official window, the Bahrain camp will predominantly feature players from out-of-season Major League Soccer,” Canada Soccer wrote in a release. “The camp provides Canada with an opportunity to acclimatise to the heat and weather conditions in the middle east while also taking part in another important international test against an opponent from outside Concacaf.”

Canada will have a more complete squad for a November 17 friendly in Dubai against Japan.

Here’s the official Canada squad for the pre-World Cup friendly against Bahrain, with the full squad for the World Cup expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

Goalkeepers

Maxime Crépeau, Los Angeles FC
James Pantemis, CF Montréal
Dayne St. Clair, Minnesota United FC

Defenders

Doneil Henry, Toronto FC
Lukas MacNaughton, Toronto FC
Kamal Miller, CF Montréal
Joel Waterman, CF Montréal
Zachary Brault-Guillard, CF Montréal
Raheem Edwards, LA Galaxy
Alistair Johnston, CF Montréal
Richie Laryea, Toronto FC

Midfielders

Mathieu Choinière, CF Montréal
Liam Fraser, KMSK Deinze
Mark-Anthony Kaye, Toronto FC
Ismaël Koné, CF Montréal
Jonathan Osorio, Toronto FC
Samuel Piette, CF Montréal

Forwards

Ayo Akinola, Toronto FC
Lucas Cavallini, Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Jayden Nelson, Toronto FC
Jacob Shaffelburg, Nashville SC

Upcoming Canada World Cup schedule:

Bahrain* — November 11, 7:30 am PT/ 10:30 am ET
Japan* — November 17, 5:40 am PT/ 8:40 am ET
Belgium — November 23, 11 am PT/ 2 pm ET
Croatia — November 27, 8 am PT/ 11 am ET
Morocco — December 1, 7 am PT/ 10 am ET

*pre-tournament

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