Canada's Rising Stars: 5 Must-Watch Players Set to Dominate 2026 World Cup Camp

The 2026 World Cup year has begun and Canada Soccer is launching early preparations, conducting its inaugural January men's national team training camp under head coach Jesse Marsch.

Marsch has assembled a compact 20-player roster for the 10-day training session in Los Angeles, which will include a Tier 1 international exhibition match against Guatemala on Jan. 17, a contest that will impact FIFA Rankings.

Since the camp occurs outside an official FIFA international window, 19 of the 20 selected players are North America-based. The single European-based athlete is Matteo de Brienne from Sweden's GAIS.

The training camp won't include many of the veteran stars expected to spearhead Canada's 2026 World Cup campaign, but it provides fringe players an opportunity to break into the squad and make impressions for future selections.

Here, Sports Illustrated examines five players worth monitoring during the January training camp.

5. Rayan Elloumi—Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Canada possesses a collection of seven forwards who could all argue for inclusion in the 2026 World Cup squad. For 18-year-old Vancouver Whitecaps striker Rayan Elloumi, establishing himself in the conversation over the next four years and for the 2030 World Cup represents his objective.

The young player achieved significant milestones in 2025, securing his first MLS contract before notching two goals and one assist in merely 287 minutes, demonstrating his value as a depth piece for the MLS Western Conference champions.

Previously, he accumulated 11 goals and seven assists across 1,059 minutes in MLS Next Pro.

Already appearing settled in MLS, he joins a Canadian senior camp for the first time after formerly representing Tunisia's youth national squads, but missing December's senior-level Arab Cup, which would have permitted him to represent the country without being cap-tied, due to Vancouver's MLS playoff run.

Now with Canada, he aims to position himself as a genuine option in international competition, targeting the 2030 World Cup.

4. Shola Jimoh—Inter Toronto FC

Few 17-year-olds receive substantial professional playing time and even fewer earn senior national team call-ups, but that's exactly what Inter Toronto winger Shola Jimoh has accomplished, securing selection for the January camp.

Recording four goals and six assists across 41 professional matches in two seasons with Inter Toronto of the Canadian Premier League, Jimoh joins the official roster for the first time, after previously training with Marsch's squad as a practice player.

Though born in England, Jimoh was raised primarily in Brampton, Ontario, and has developed into a valuable winger for Inter Toronto and Canada's youth national teams, collecting 20 caps across the U15, U17, and U20 levels.

He won't be considered for the 2026 World Cup, but given his extensive top-level senior experience already, it's exciting to envision what possibilities await the young attacker at the 2030 tournament and beyond.

3. Ralph Priso—Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Limited players have genuine opportunities to earn World Cup roster spots in this camp, but Ralph Priso could achieve this through his adaptability, an extremely valuable trait for a World Cup squad.

The 23-year-old follows an exceptional season with the Vancouver Whitecaps, contributing to their MLS Cup and Canadian Championship success. His finest performances occurred during the fall, when, despite never playing defensive positions, he transitioned to center back due to injuries and excelled.

While most of his career has been spent in central midfield, the recent defensive shift helps him distinguish himself for Marsch, given the attacking nature and distribution skills the Canadian manager desires from his center backs.

It's a route others have followed, like top defenders Moïse Bombito, Luc de Fougerolles and Alfie Jones, all of whom have established themselves as key figures in Marsch's system.

If Priso is to secure a World Cup spot, it would be as the final central defender and a flexible one, with potential to surpass Kamal Miller or Joel Waterman in the center back hierarchy with an outstanding performance against Guatemala.

2. Marcelo Flores—Tigres UANL

After representing the Mexican national team as a teenager, Marcelo Flores stated his intention to play for El Tri throughout his career, despite occasionally representing Canada at youth levels. Currently? Circumstances have changed.

At 22 years old, Flores has attracted Marsch's attention and could be a World Cup candidate. The January camp marks his first official roster inclusion, after twice participating as a training player to experience the Canadian national team environment.

Since he last represented El Tri in June 2022, the opportunity to join Canada is available—and it appears he has fallen from favor with the Mexican program. At 22, the former Arsenal academy product has 72 appearances for Tigres UANL, with 11 goals and four assists, showcasing himself as a dynamic, confident winger who is adaptable as an attacking midfielder.

Marsch has praised Flores previously and emphasized that he "feels Canadian" and knows "many guys on the national team," having been born in the country, despite concerns about his ability to meet the manager's pressing and defensive requirements.

This January camp represents an opportunity for him to earn his first official minutes for Canada, which would make him provisionally cap-tied and require him to file a formal transfer to represent El Tri again in the future.

1. Jayden Nelson—Austin FC

2025 was a significant year for Jayden Nelson, establishing himself as an outstanding talent in MLS while playing primarily in a reserve role with Vancouver Whitecaps FC. 2026 holds even greater importance.

After netting a double on his debut against the Portland Timbers, returning to MLS following a disappointing European experience, it appeared the former Rosenborg winger had regained his confidence. He concluded the season with three goals and 11 assists in 46 matches across all competitions, but struggled for playing time in a competitive position—competing with Ali Ahmed, with whom he also vies for Canada selection.

With Norwich City's Ahmed moving to Europe and other top wingers unavailable for January, this camp presents a perfect opportunity for Nelson to establish himself among the certainties for the 2026 World Cup. Simultaneously, it's a chance for him to get an early start on preseason with his new club, Austin FC.

Anticipate the 23-year-old to spearhead the wide attack against Guatemala and assume greater leadership during the 10-day camp, as he seeks to prove himself as a potential top substitute option from the bench this summer.

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