World Cup stories: Predicting Canada's starting XI and depth chart v1.0

The Canadians will host Bosnia-Herzegovina at Toronto Stadium on June 12, and with Jesse Marsch now having released the final 26-player squad list we can start to speculate about who will start in that first match.

But before the first ever men's World Cup match on Canadian soil, Canada will host a pair of friendlies in Edmonton (vs. Uzbekistan on June 1) and Montreal (vs. Ireland on June 5) to give Marsch further time to determine his starters.

• Read next | Who are the biggest surprises and snubs from Canada's World Cup squad?

With the team racked with injuries and still figuring out a number of key positions, the friendlies will help solidify certain players' roles in Marsch's mind. As such, this will be version 1.0 of our projected XI and depth chart, with another version coming after the friendly matches are complete.

Here is DAZN News' projected starting XI for Canada, along with the depth chart by position.

GOALKEEPER: Dayne St. Clair

Marsch is still undecided between the Inter Miami shot stopper and Orlando City's Maxime Crepeau, who was Canada's No. 1 during the team's magical run at the 2024 Copa America.

Neither 'keeper has covered himself in glory for their respective clubs this season, but St. Clair's physical profile seems more in line with what Marsch is looking for and he may get the nod.

Depth chart: St. Clair, Crepeau, Owen Goodman

FULL BACKS: Richie Laryea, Alistair Johnston

The versatile jack-of-all-trades Laryea is still getting over a thigh ailment himself, and despite being a right-footer he is slated to slot in at left-back. The massive caveat here is the health of Alphonso Davies, who suffered a hamstring pull a month ago and is racing to get fit. If the Bayern Munich man is healthy, he's absolutely the starter over Laryea.

Meanwhile, right-back is Johnston's place to lose and the Celtic mainstay is fully fit. 

Depth chart: Laryea, Johnston, Davies, Niko Sigur

CENTRE BACKS: Luc de Fougerolles, Derek Cornelius

De Fougerolles has a suprising amount of international experience at 20, as he featured before making his first-team debut at Dender (on loan from Fulham) and has not looked out of place. However, Moise Bombito is the key player in the centre of defence and is nearing fitness after breaking his tibia in October, and if he's close to 100% he likely takes precedence over the youngster.

As for Cornelius, he's dealt with his own issues on loan at Rangers from Marseille. The 28-year-old fell out with Rangers boss Danny Röhl and was banished from the first team around the start of 2026, meaning he hasn't played meaningful games in months.

Depth chart: De Fougerolles, Cornelius, Bombito, Alfie Jones, Joel Waterman

CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS: Stephen Eustaquio, Ismael Koné

While the back line and central defence remains unsettled, the middle of the pitch is very much decided for Canada.

Eustaquio and Koné form a dynamic partnership in which each player's strengths complements the other, and they'll play the bulk of the minutes.

Depth chart: Eustaquio, Koné, Nathan Saliba, Mathieu Choinière, Jonathan Osorio 

WINGERS: Tajon Buchanan, Ali Ahmed

On the right side, Buchanan's spot is written in ink as the Villarreal man is a vital part of Canada's attack.

On the left, Ahmed is among a number of players who could reasonably start under Marsch, but the Norwich City winger's unpredictability and creativity could give him the edge.

There are a couple of caveats to consider here: Firstly, Liam Millar's two-way play could edge him past Ahmed — especially if Davies is available, as Millar provides cover for the Bayern star when he pushes forward.

Secondly, Marcelo Flores suffered an apparent knee injury while playing in the Concacaf Champions Cup on May 30 and his status for the World Cup is in doubt.

Depth chart: Buchanan, Ahmed, Millar, Jacob Shaffelburg, Flores

STRIKERS: Jonathan David, Cyle Larin

The top two goalscorers in Canada's history, David and Larin have a long history together and play off one another well.

Larin's late-season surge at Southampton (on loan from Mallorca) sees him enter the World Cup in fantastic form, giving him the leg up as David's strike partner on June 12.

Depth chart: J. David, Larin, Promise David, Tani Oluwaseyi

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