Canada heads into the upcoming three-match World Cup qualifying window without its talisman, but still with the bulk of the roster that propelled the team into its current favourable position atop the final CONCACAF group.
Alphonso Davies will miss games againt Honduras, the United States and El Salvador after being diagnosed with myocarditis following a bout of COVID-19 earlier this month. The pacey Bayern Munich fullback has not played since prior to the Bundesliga's winter break and is expected to be sidelined for several more weeks.
In his absence, Canada head coach John Herdman has summoned 25 players for the upcoming games. The team has convened in Miami ahead of a trip to San Pedro Sula to face the Hondurans on Jan. 27. Canada will then host the USA in Hamilton, Ont., on Jan. 30 before completing the winter window in San Salvador on Feb. 2.
“We look forward to coming home and playing in front of our fans, they have made the difference every time,” Herdman said. “This will be a tough window, but we are strong and will embrace the challenges as we continue to take it one match at a time.”
Most of the names in Herdman's squad will be familiar to fans following along with Canada's qualification journey, although Vancouver Whitecaps fullback Cristián Gutierrez is in line for his first cap after switching international allegiances from Chile last year. Additionally, many players have switched clubs over the winter transfer window, including Tajon Buchanan (Club Brugge), Stephen Eustáquio (FC Porto), Maxime Crepeau (LAFC) and Richie Laryea (Nottingham Forest).
Canada leads CONCACAF's final qualification group with 16 points from eight matches. The top three teams after 14 games will automatically qualify for Qatar 2022, with the fourth-place team entering an intercontinental playoff.
FULL CANADA ROSTER
Goalkeepers
- Milan Borjan | Red Star Belgrade
- Maxime Crépeau | Los Angeles FC
- Jayson Leutwiler | Oldham Athletic AFC
Defenders
- Samuel Adekugbe | Hatayspor FC
- Derek Cornelius | Panetolikos FC
- Cristián Gutierrez | Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- Doneil Henry | Unattached
- Alistair Johnston | CF Montréal
- Scott Kennedy | SSV Jahn Regensburg
- Richie Laryea | Nottingham Forest FC
- Kamal Miller | CF Montréal
- Steven Vitória | Moreirense FC
Midfielders
- Stephen Eustáquio | FC Porto
- Liam Fraser | KMSK Deinze
- Atiba Hutchinson | Beşiktaş JK
- Mark-Anthony Kaye | Colorado Rapids
- Jonathan Osorio | Toronto FC
- Samuel Piette | CF Montréal
Forwards
- Tajon Buchanan | Club Brugge KV
- Lucas Cavallini | Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- Jonathan David | Lille OSC
- David Junior Hoilett | Reading FC
- Cyle Larin | Beşiktaş JK
- Liam Millar | FC Basel
- Iké Ugbo | KRC Genk