David headlines Canada soccer roster with Davies unavailable for Toronto friendlies

By Canadian Press on March 19, 2026.

TORONTO — Canada will be minus a trio of key defenders for a pair of men’s soccer friendlies later this month as the World Cup approaches.

The national team’s 26-player roster announced Thursday for home matches against Iceland on March 28 and Tunisia on March 31 includes core attackers Jonathan David, Cyle Larin and Tajon Buchanan.

Canada is also set to be without some of its top defensive options.

As expected, left back Alphonso Davies was not named to the squad for the games at Toronto’s BMO Field as he continues to deal with a strained right hamstring after returning from a torn ACL.

Right back Alistair Johnston, recovering from hamstring surgery, and centre back Moïse Bombito, working his way back from a fractured tibia, were both named as training players only.

Canada will also host Uzbekistan in Edmonton on June 1 and Ireland in Montreal on June 5, its final tune-ups before the World Cup begins June 11.