Top five players left out of Canada's FIFA World Cup 2026 squad ft. Hoilett & Piette

Les Rouges will take on Bosnia and Herzegovina for their opening game of the mega competition.

Canada are one of the hosts for the 2026 edition of the FIFA World Cup. This is going to be their third-ever appearance at the grandest stage of them all.

Les Rogues have overall contested in six games at FIFA’s flagship tournament and tasted defeat in all of them. They will also be looking to secure their first win in the World Cup. Being at home is surely going to give them an edge.

Jesse Marsch and Canada Soccer are yet to unveil the final 26-man squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026. For now, they have come up with a preliminary squad that has joined the training camp in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA, from May 25.

“These are the final days before we announce the squad that will represent Canada at a home World Cup, and the excitement in this group is real. We feel the momentum building across our country and we are calm, focused, and ready for this moment,” said Marsch.

Also Read: Canada announces preliminary squad for FIFA World Cup 2026 ft. Alphonso Davies

Top players left out of Canada prelim squad

5. Theo Bair

Competing for FC Lausanne-Sport, the 26-year-old has put in some decent performances for his club this season. Despite that, he has not been included in Canada’s preliminary squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026. He was likely left out due to competition for places.

Stars like Jonathan David, Tani Oluwaseyi and Cyle Larin are handed a chance.

4. Milan Borjan

Milan Borjan was the first-choice goalkeeper for the Canada men’s national soccer team during the 2022 edition of the mega competition. This time around, he has not been included. This is most likely because of his age.

He is now 38 years old. Inter Miami’s Dayne St. Clair is most likely to start for Canada this time around.

3. Junior Hoilett

Canada’s preliminary squad for the upcoming edition of FIFA’s flagship tournament consists mainly of young stars. Junior Hoilett is now 35 years old. Promise David, Tani Oluwaseyi, Jonathan David and others younger in age are given much more preference.

Also read: Top five players left out of Colombia’s FIFA World Cup 2026 final squad ft. Duran & Cuadrado

2. James Pantemis

James Pantemis made his debut for the Canada men’s national soccer team earlier this year. He has now not been included in their preliminary squad for the World Cup. He currently plays for the Portland Timbers and might have missed out due to his recent poor run of performances

In 14 MLS games, the 29-year-old has conceded 28 goals.

1. Samuel Piette

The 31-year-old has made 69 appearances for Les Rogues, but his name is not included in the list of Canadian players who have started training from May 25. Samuel Piette has been a part of 10 MLS games this season and has not been in good form. Tajon Buchanan and Ali Ahmed are given a preference ahead of the CF Montreal midfielder.

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