Jesse Marsch is quickly delivering on his promise to attract dual nationals to Canada.
Six weeks after the Canadian men’s soccer coach said he'd identified "up to 10" players with double eligibility, Marsch named two to his roster for the September FIFA window on Tuesday.
Canadian-Croatian Niko Sigur and Stephen Afrifa, eligible for Ghana, will make their camp debuts as No. 40 Canada plays the No. 16 United States on Sept. 7 in Kansas City, followed by a meeting with No. 17 Mexico in Dallas on Sept. 10.
The friendlies are the Canadian men's first games since finishing a historic fourth at the Copa America this summer, where they pushed Uruguay to the limit in the consolation final but ultimately lost 4-3 on penalty kicks.
"I think some of the dual nationals have recognized the fact that the team has evolved and continued to move itself forward, and shown that it can be successful and compete at the highest level,” Marsch said in a video conference from Toronto.
“I think (it) gets people excited of the possibility of playing for the Canadian national team."
Afrifa, a 23-year-old winger from Toronto, has broken out with five goals this season for MLS club Sporting Kansas City.
Sigur, who plays for Croatia’s Hadjuk Split, joins Canada after a FIFA-approved one-time nationality switch. The 20-year-old midfielder from Burnaby, B.C., had played nine games for the Croatian under-21 team.
Marsch described Sigur as a technical, aggressive and mobile player who can play multiple positions, although Canada will view him as a midfielder to start.
The Canadian coach said he believes the team’s run at Copa was a factor in Sigur’s switch, but highlighted that “being Canadian resonated with him.”
"I do believe that our success really ignited his interest, but I think that he also ... he's born in Canada, and I think he grew up in Canada,” Marsch said.
“He's someone who's really excited to represent the Canadian national team, which in the end, when you're looking at dual nationals, this still is a really important factor, right? That the pride factor, the awareness of what it means to play for the Canadian national team, that that means something.
“He's a perfect guy to bring into our group now.”
Under FIFA eligibility rules, a player needs to take the pitch in a competitive match before becoming cap-tied with a country. But because players can only switch nationalities once, Sigur is essentially committed to Canada going forward.
Captain Alphonso Davies, vice-captain Stephen Eustaquio and striker Jonathan David were also named to the 23-player roster.
Marseille midfielder Ismael Kone was not selected after picking up an ankle injury, but several other players who’ve transferred to bigger clubs in the wake of Canada’s Copa success earned the call.
That list includes defenders Moïse Bombito (OGC Nice, France) and Derek Cornelius (Marseille, France), midfielder Mathieu Choiniere (Grasshopper Club Zurich, Switzerland) and forward Theo Bair (AJ Auxerre, France).
"I'm fairly confident that most of these moves have been very beneficial for our players, and will in the end pay dividends for our national team as well,” Marsch said, noting that those moves could entice dual nationals.
“I think we'll find a way to inspire enough dual nationals that this is the right place for them, not just looking forward into (the 2026 World Cup) in the next two years, but beyond."
English-Canadian striker Daniel Jebbison of Premier League side AFC Bournemouth is another high-profile player Marsch could target.
"There's a lot of positivity around the possibilities of some important players joining what we're trying to do with the Canadian national team,” Marsch said. “I'm very aware of who Daniel is, and I think he's a player with big potential, and so, let's leave it at that for now."
The Canadian men are scheduled to host No. 35 Panama in a friendly on Oct. 15 for its first match on home soil since Nov. 21, 2023. They are seeking a second opponent during the October FIFA window.
Canada is preparing for the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals in November. The second leg will be played in Toronto on Nov. 19.
Canada Roster For Upcoming Friendlies
Goalkeepers: Maxime Crepeau, Portland Timbers (MLS); Jonathan Sirois, CF Montreal (MLS); Dayne St. Clair, Minnesota United (MLS).
Defenders: Samuel Adekugbe, Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS); Moïse Bombito, OGC Nice (France); Derek Cornelius, Olympique de Marseille (France); Alphonso Davies, Bayern Munich (Germany); Alistair Johnston, Celtic FC (Scotland); Richie Laryea, Toronto FC (MLS); Kamal Miller, Portland Timbers (MLS); Joel Waterman, CF Montreal (MLS).
Midfielders: Ali Ahmed, Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS); Mathieu Choiniere, Grasshopper Club Zurich (Switzerland); Stephen Eustaquio, FC Porto (Portugal); Jonathan Osorio, Toronto FC (MLS); Niko Sigur, Hadjuk Split (Croatia).
Forwards: Stephen Afrifa, Sporting Kansas City (MLS); Theo Bair, AJ Auxerre (France); Jonathan David, Lille OSC (France); Cyle Larin, RCD Mallorca (Spain); Liam Millar, Hull City FC (England); Tani Oluwaseyi, Minnesota United FC (MLS); Jacob Shaffelburg, Nashville SC (MLS).
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 27, 2024.
Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press
