Canadian head coach Jesse Marsch, centre, during a training session at the BMO Training Ground in preparation for matches against Iceland and Tunisia, in Toronto on March 24, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Eduardo Lima

By The Canadian Press

‘Calm, focused and ready’: Canada continues World Cup prep ahead of two friendlies

Mar 24, 2026 | 1:58 PM

TORONTO — Jesse Marsch watched his players go through warm-up drills on a chilly, windswept pitch.

“Be sharp,” the head coach of Canada’s men’s soccer coach bellowed as his charges darted back and forth.

Just over 90 minutes later after concluding a blustery, Tuesday practice session on Toronto’s northern border, Marsch was pleased — key injury absences aside — with the work put in as the national team started ramping up its World Cup preparations.

“We’re calm, focused and ready,” he said. “We’re taking every day for what it’s worth.”

The 29th-ranked Canadians, hosts of this summer’s global showcase with the United States and Mexico, will take part in a pair of friendlies at Toronto’s BMO Field during the March international window — Saturday against No. 74 Iceland and Tuesday against No. 47 Tunisia.

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“Focus and concentration to try to make sure that we’re ready for two really good performances,” Marsch continued at BMO Training Ground. “That is the overall objective … to stay in the moment and really continue the process of the team becoming the team we want to be.”

Among the players not in attendance, however, is star left back Alphonso Davies, who remained in Germany with Bayern Munich as he continues to recover from a strained hamstring after returning from a torn knee ligament.

Marsch said he’d been in contact with his talisman’s club.

“Doing well,” the coach said of Davies with just 80 days until the World Cup. “He was back on the pitch last week doing some individual stuff. And I think he’ll be with the team again once they get back going again. He’s likely, I think, to be even eligible for their first match once they get back together.

“He’s in a good way.”

That’s good news for Canada, which is also missing striker Promise David (hip surgery) and midfielder Stephen Eustáquio (hematoma).

“Of course we want to get ourselves back for the summer to 100 per cent, but this is all part of it,” said Marsch, who invited the likes of Vancouver Whitecaps defender Ralph Priso and New York Red Bulls counterpart Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty to camp as replacements. “We’ve really used all of the injuries, and when players are missing, as opportunities for new guys to establish themselves.”

Right back Alistair Johnston (Celtic), who’s rebounding from hamstring surgery, was at training and is expected to be a full participant Wednesday. Centre back Moïse Bombito (OGC Nice), meanwhile, continues to recover from a fractured tibia and was working on his own with a trainer.

“These two guys, I think, really wanted to be here … we felt they’re really important and we’ve been missing them,” Marsch said. “It’s good to have them.”

Los Angeles FC midfielder Mathieu Choinière said spirits are high as players look to impress with less than three months until the World Cup curtain raises.

“The vibe in the group has been amazing,” he said. “Every time we can be together, we just enjoy it.”

“Just good Canadian guys,” Norwich City defender Ali Ahmed added. “No egos … we just get along.”

This international window represents two of Canada’s final four games on home soil before the World Cup. The country will also face No. 52 Uzbekistan in Edmonton on June 1 and No. 59 Ireland in Montreal four days later.

The Canadians open the World Cup June 12 in Toronto against the winner of a European playoff, which could be 13th-ranked Italy. They then face Qatar on June 18 and Switzerland on June 24 at Vancouver’s B.C. Place Stadium.

“We know what’s happening, we know what’s coming,” Marsch said of the anticipation. “They want to put their best foot forward to give them all the best chance possible to make the team (or) to be in good form for when the World Cup comes. Every guy has a little bit different situation and a little bit different objective.

“We’re calm and we’re focusing on being the team that we know we are.”

RENOVATED DIGS

The reimagined BMO Field, which will be known as Toronto Stadium during the World Cup, was unveiled to media members earlier Tuesday.

Photos of scaffold-supported seating that made rounds on social media in recent weeks led to criticism, but Marsch said the venue will be a fine host.

“When you see some of the pictures online that take these perspectives that make it look like it’s perilous sitting in the stands, that’s not great,” Marsch said with a smile. “But when you’re in the stadium, it’s pretty cool … I think once you get a lot of people in the stands, it’ll be great.

“We’re excited.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 24, 2026.

Joshua Clipperton, The Canadian Press