Alphonso Davies, Jonathan David front Canada's 26-man roster for FIFA World Cup
CBC
Canadian head coach John Herdman on Sunday announced the 26-player roster that will represent the country in its first men's FIFA World Cup since 1986.
Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies and Lille's Jonathan David are the headliners for Qatar, with Porto's Stephen Eustáquio and Club Brugge's Cyle Larin among the other key players.
Herdman has dubbed his team "new Canada" as it returns to the soccer showcase in Qatar after a 36-year absence.
The Canada roster includes 11 Major League Soccer players, including six from CF Montréal, three from Toronto FC and one from the Vancouver Whitecaps.
It also features defender Derek Cornelius, on loan from the Whitecaps to Greece's Panetolikos FC.
Liam Fraser, a midfielder deemed surplus to Toronto FC's requirements, made the team as did CF Montréal defender Joel Waterman, whose journey has taken him from the Canadian Premier League to the sport's ultimate stage.
Fears that Davies, Canada's most dynamic player, might miss the World Cup after picking up a hamstring injury have subsided.
The 22-year-old missed Bayern's last two Bundesliga games after sustaining the injury earlier this month.
Davies has played 34 times and scored 12 goals for Canada, who are returning to the World Cup for the first time in 36 years.
"A kid born in a refugee camp wasn't supposed to make it! But here we are going to the World Cup. Don't let no one tell you that your dreams are unrealistic. Keep dreaming, keep achieving," tweeted Davies after the squad was announced.
The 32 teams have until Monday to name their roster. The only restriction on the roster is that it must include three goalkeepers.
Players on the World Cup roster who were part of the Bahrain camp are already in the Qatari capital of Doha. Those who were with their European clubs arrive Sunday or Monday.
WATCH l Canada Soccer unveils World Cup roster:
Atiba Hutchinson, a 39-year-old midfielder and Canada's captain, was the only player on the roster alive during Canada's last World Cup appearance in 1986.
