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Canada will square off against Uzbekistan and the Republic of Ireland in their final warm-up fixtures before the World Cup, as coach Jesse Marsch manages a mounting injury list following Marcelo Flores’ devastating injury blow and looks for attacking form from Jonathan David and Cyle Larin.

The Canada Men’s National Team is down to its last two games before beginning the 2026 World Cup campaign on home turf against Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 12 in Toronto. Injuries, however, remain the central concern as the tournament approaches.

On Monday, Marsch’s team will take the field in Edmonton before more than 50,000 fans to face Uzbekistan, who have already qualified for the World Cup. They’ll then head to Montréal to meet Ireland at a packed Stade Saputo.

The buildup hasn’t gone as smoothly as hoped. Nine of the 26 players named in Marsch’s squad on Friday are nursing various knocks, and on Saturday, creative playmaker Marcelo Flores ruptured his ACL in the CONCACAF Champions Cup final, ruling him out of the tournament. No replacement has been called up for these friendlies.

Considering Flores’ injury and other ongoing issues, GOAL examines the key storylines to watch before Canada’s first-ever home World Cup appearance in men’s football history.

Injury concerns remain a major issue

When Marsch announced his 26-player World Cup roster, it featured Canada’s top talents — even though at least nine were recovering from injuries. Matters worsened on Saturday when Flores injured his knee in an awkward landing and had to be carried off by a trainer as his club Tigres UANL fell to Toluca in the Champions Cup final.

“We were having dinner when we saw the incident,” vice-captain and midfielder Stephen Eustàquio said about Flores’ injury. “Some of us have been through that kind of injury before, so we feared it might be serious. It’s heartbreaking, especially after seeing how emotional his family was when he was selected. He’s crucial for us both as a person and as a player.”

These friendlies will be key for Marsch to reintegrate players who are edging back toward full fitness. Central defender Moïse Bombito hasn’t played since October due to a fractured leg but says he’ll be “100 percent” ready for the World Cup opener, though he still needs to build match fitness. Fellow centre-back Alfie Jones is recovering from ankle surgery and hasn’t played since December. Left-back Alphonso Davies will miss the upcoming game, while his backup, Richie Laryea, hasn’t featured since April 22 but could get a run-out.

Up front, Promise David has made the squad after recovering faster than expected from hip tendon surgery in February, though he hasn’t played much recently. Winger Jacob Shaffelburg has managed only 223 MLS minutes this season and trained separately during camp in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Most players are expected to play around 45 minutes in the first match, with Shaffelburg and fellow winger Ali Ahmed ruled out against Uzbekistan.

While Canada’s 26-man roster has avoided a complete injury crisis, fitness remains the decisive factor in these two games — particularly as Marsch hopes key players return to form and that Flores’ injury marks the end of the team’s bad luck.

Finding goals remains a challenge

Canada’s defence under Marsch has been relatively solid, regardless of the lineup. However, improving attacking output is crucial ahead of the World Cup, and these friendlies offer the perfect chance to rediscover scoring rhythm.

Up front, Canada’s options look promising. Though Jonathan David had a mixed debut season at Juventus, he stays a vital part of the attack and will aim to rediscover his sharpness this summer. His likely strike partner will be veteran forward and Canada’s second all-time top scorer, Cyle Larin.

The 31-year-old, affectionately nicknamed the “Brampton Bagsman” by Southampton fans, is playing with renewed freedom and confidence, having scored nine goals since joining the club in January.

“I’m glad to be scoring again after going through some tough times in my career,” Larin told GOAL in March after leaving Feyenoord for England. “It was about finding the right environment. I’ve always said, when I get consistent minutes and starts, I’ll score goals.”

David is expected to start every World Cup match and could play full games, while Larin will need to build chemistry with him to reclaim his starting role. A strong attacking display in either of these friendlies would boost confidence across the squad.

Tani Oluwaseyi and Promise David are also expected to feature, but the main partnership will be David and Larin. Goals from the duo would ease concerns among fans and within the team heading into the tournament.

Uncertainty at left back

With Alphonso Davies sidelined and Richie Laryea only just returning, the left-back position poses questions for both the friendlies and the World Cup. If neither reaches full fitness, who steps in?

Marsch could shift one of his right-backs, Niko Sigur or Alistair Johnston, to the opposite flank. Sigur, who primarily played as a midfielder for Hajduk Split, recently adapted to right-back duties for Canada. During that period, Laryea filled in on the left while Johnston was recovering from a hamstring issue.

Johnston returns to the national setup for the first time since last June’s Gold Cup and is in excellent form after helping Celtic secure both the Scottish Premier League and FA Cup titles. According to TransferMarkt, he has never played left-back in his 271 professional and international appearances, while Sigur — though right-footed — has some limited experience on that side and might be a more natural option.

“I’ve played left back before, a few years ago — a couple of pre-season and league games,” Sigur told reporters. “I feel comfortable on the left.”

Another possible solution could be using Zorhan Bassong in these friendlies to manage Laryea’s minutes. The Sporting Kansas City defender remains in camp despite being omitted from the final 26. Still, Laryea will have every opportunity to prove his readiness — and once fit, Davies will reclaim the position.

Choosing the No. 1 goalkeeper

After much deliberation, Marsch will finally decide his first-choice goalkeeper for the World Cup this week. Having rotated Dayne St. Clair and Maxime Crépeau throughout his tenure, he revealed that both will play 45 minutes against Uzbekistan before he names his World Cup starter.

Although St. Clair has tended to face stronger opponents in recent international windows, Crépeau might currently hold a slight advantage. His composure and leadership stood out even in a 2–0 defeat to Argentina during the Copa América, Marsch’s third match in charge.

At club level, neither has been exceptional this season. Crépeau has conceded 43 goals with Orlando City — the league’s weakest defence — and has a goals prevented mark of -0.6, while St. Clair has allowed 28 goals with Inter Miami, who have also struggled defensively.

“We’ve gotten to know each other on and off the field,” Crépeau told The Canadian Press. “We understand how to push and prepare one another, whether we’re playing or not. There’s mutual respect — we’re both good teammates, and that makes for a healthy dynamic.”

The decision won’t be easy, particularly since this could be Crépeau’s first World Cup after missing the 2022 edition due to a leg break suffered in LAFC’s MLS Cup triumph. There may be no wrong choice, but whichever way Marsch decides will attract scrutiny, as both goalkeepers are close friends and lifelong competitors chasing a shared dream.

Canadian fans ready to bring the energy

Canada will step into the spotlight this week, playing before more than 45,000 supporters in Edmonton’s largest stadium against Uzbekistan, followed by a sold-out clash with Ireland in Montreal.

After a calm week of training in Charlotte, away from heavy media focus, Marsch and his squad will now face an enthusiastic home audience and increased public attention.

For many Canadians, football still carries a sense of novelty, and the national team’s progress to the World Cup is seen as a moment of pride and celebration. Yet, as the players face the intensity of a home tournament, learning to channel that energy positively will be key.

“We’re thrilled to start in Edmonton, and we know the crowd will be fantastic,” Marsch said. “It feels great to be back in Canada after the work we did in Carolina. We’re ready for tomorrow — and then another packed house in Montréal.”