Canada gives ex-Vancouver Whitecaps player FIFA World Cup call
Jayden Nelson’s FIFA World Cup dreams will come true after all.
The injury bug has hit the Canadian men’s national team in a big way just days before they open up their World Cup schedule. The squad has already lost midfielder Marcelo Flores, and both Moïse Bombito and Alphonso Davies are major question marks.
With Flores confirmed to be missing the tournament, Canada manager Jesse Marsch has decided on his replacement. It will be Nelson, the 23-year-old former Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder.
This will be the Brampton, Ont. native’s first World Cup.
Jayden Nelson is going to the World Cup! 🍁
Austin FC’s Jayden Nelson has been selected to replace Tigres UANL's Marcelo Flores on #CANMNT's roster for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026™. pic.twitter.com/FpESD7It29
— CANMNT (@CANMNT_Official) June 9, 2026
There has been no word on any potential replacements for either Bombito or Davies.
Nelson played just one season in Vancouver, scoring two goals in 23 MLS appearances with the Whitecaps in 2025. He was traded to Austin FC this past December.
Nelson has made 14 appearances with the Canadian men’s national team dating back to 2020, where he has a total of three goals. The latest of those goals came during last week’s World Cup tune-up game against Uzbekistan in Edmonton.
The former Whitecap found a lane to help double Canada’s lead in injury time.
GOAL ⚽️⚽️
JAYDEN NELSON DOUBLES CANADA'S LEAD 😎
🔴 Watch #CanMNT on OneSoccer pic.twitter.com/taEYYQ8bdE
— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) June 2, 2026
Canadian soccer fans will be hoping to see more of that from Nelson when the country opens up its FIFA World Cup schedule on Friday in Toronto against Bosnia and Herzegovina.