Ex-Flying Eagles invitee, former Nigeria U23 star, Abuja-born forward named in Canada's preliminary WC squad

The Canadian Soccer Association have announced Canada men's national soccer team's preliminary squad for the 2026 World Cup.

Canada head coach Jesse Marsch has named three players of Nigerian descent in his 32-man provisional squad, with the final 26-player roster set to be confirmed on May 29.

2023 Flying Eagles invitee goalkeeper Owen Goodman has been named in the training camp squad, alongside Villarreal's Abuja-born forward Tani Oluwaseyi and former Nigeria U23 international Promise David (pictured).

Goodman has yet to make his senior debut for the Reds after switching his international allegiance from England to Canada, although he was an unused substitute in friendly matches against Ecuador, Venezuela, Iceland and Tunisia.

With Jesse Marsch selecting only three goalkeepers in his provisional squad, it is all but confirmed that the Crystal Palace goalkeeper has a guaranteed roster spot.

Prolific Royale Union Saint-Gilloise forward David will need to prove his fitness during the training camp, having been sidelined at club level since undergoing surgery for a ruptured hip tendon sustained in February.

Villarreal forward Oluwaseyi is shoo-in to be included in Canada's final 26-man squad, given that he has consistently been selected in Canada's matchday squads for the past two years.

The only time he was not included was for a friendly match against Guatemala on January 18, 2026, and that absence was because the game was played outside Fifa's official international window, meaning clubs were not required to release players.

Sam Adekugbe and former Nigeria Football Federation target Ike Ugbo were part of Canada's squad for the 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar.