Canada Soccer announces squad for CONCACAF U-20 Championship

Canada Soccer is turning its focus to the future, announcing which athletes will represent the nation at the CONCACAF U-20 Championship in Mexico.

The 21-player roster revealed on Friday includes talent from international sides such as Serie A’s Bologna FC, all three Canadian Major League Soccer teams and several Canadian Premier League outfits.

The squad will be coached by Jesse Marsch and Mauro Biello, head coach and assistant coach of Canada’s men’s team, national youth director Andrew Olivieri and Andrea Di Pietrantonio.

Canada Soccer chief executive officer Kevin Blue said earlier this month that Marsch is “very committed” the country’s development pathway and recognizes how important upcoming U-20 tournaments, including the Olympics, are for the future of the men’s program.

The CONCACAF U-20 Championship offers some of the top finishers direct qualification for both the 2027 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

Canada will kick off the tournament on July 25 against Panama before taking on Honduras on July 28 and wrapping group play against Jamaica on July 31. All three games will be played in Puebla.

The top two teams from each of the three groups will advance to the knockout stage alongside the two best third-place finishers.

The quarterfinals will be held Aug. 4 and 5, with the semifinals going Aug. 7 and the final taking place on Aug. 9 in Mexico City.

“We’re excited for this team to get the chance to compete for World Cup and Olympic Games qualification on the same trip,” Canada Soccer’s sporting director Kenneth Heiner-Moller said in a statement. “That’s exactly the kind of challenge this age group should experience, against good opposition, and this time also in a demanding environment.”

FULL ROSTER:

Goalkeepers: Nathaniel Abraham (University of Louisville), Izan Server (RC Celta de Vigo), Jonathan Ransom (Atlanta United)

Defenders: Richard Chukwu (Toronto FC), Moise Clovis-Archange (Orlando City SC), Sergei Kozlovskiy (Atlético Ottawa), Anyole Peter (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Felix Samson (FC Cincinnati), Max Vogele (IFK Stocksund)

Midfielders: Antone Bossenberry (Toronto FC), Zayne Bruno (Forge FC), Timothy Fortier (Toronto FC), Emrick Fotsing (Vancouver FC), Dylan Judelson (Orlando City SC), Liam Mackenzie (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Jesse Saputo (Bologna FC)

Forwards: Marius Aiyenero (Los Angeles FC), Owen Graham-Roache (CF Montréal), Aleksandr Guboglo (CF Montréal), Shola Jimoh (Inter Toronto FC), Lucas Lima (GD Chaves)

Alternates: Marsel Bibishkov (Vancouver FC), Valter Sedin (Hammarby IF)

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 17, 2026.

Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press