Ranking Canada's Top 5 National Team Stars Who Dominated 2025
Canada's men's national soccer team experienced a disappointing 2025 campaign, though they achieved some notable victories against elite international opponents.
When the year began, head coach Jesse Marsch's squad had one clear objective—secure a championship. The team fell short dramatically in both trophy opportunities during 2025, losing to Mexico in the Concacaf Nations League semifinal before suffering defeat to Guatemala in the Concacaf Gold Cup quarterfinals.
However, Marsch's secondary objective for the year leading up to the Reds co-hosting the 2026 World Cup was to expand the national team talent pool and create healthy competition within the starting eleven and potential top squad, which he successfully achieved. Never before have so many players competed for roster positions as they head into next summer's tournament.
Below are Sports Illustrated's selections for Canada's top performer in 2025.
5. Jonathan David
Jonathan David experienced a pivotal year in 2025, concluding his five-year tenure with Lille and moving to Juventus in the first major step of his career. He departed Lille having netted 109 goals across 232 matches, then scored on his debut with the Serie A powerhouse in a 2–0 victory over Parma on the season opener.
Though he struggled toward year's end and faced competition for minutes while adapting to Italian football, David has recently regained his scoring touch, netting a crucial goal in Champions League play against Bodø/Glimt and securing more chances in Serie A.
For Canada, he featured in all 14 fixtures, contributing six goals and two assists, while also claiming 2024–25 Concacaf Men's Player of the Year recognition in November.
4. Tajon Buchanan
Tajon Buchanan endured a devastating leg fracture during summer 2024, but bounced back strongly in 2024–25 after transferring from Inter Milan to Villarreal on loan. The midfielder subsequently secured a permanent contract before the 2025–26 campaign.
Though he struggled to find his rhythm during his Inter stint, Buchanan recaptured his best form in La Liga, boldly challenging defenders in one-on-one situations with his exceptional pace and technical dribbling ability. Throughout 2025, he recorded six goals and two assists across 37 matches in all competitions for the Yellow Submarine, highlighted by a hat-trick performance against Girona in the second match week.
With his self-assurance restored and having secured a stable club situation in a premier European league, Buchanan has likely cemented his place as Canada's starting right winger for the World Cup.
3. Promise David
2025 marked Promise David's breakthrough season. The 24-year-old forward emerged as one of the year's premier goalscorers and earned his maiden Canada call-ups, featuring in eight matches while netting four goals. Remarkably, he averaged a goal every 51 minutes during an outstanding introduction to international football.
David's finest performances came with Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium's top division, where he spearheaded the club's first championship in nine decades, contributing 19 goals across 34 appearances in 2024–25.
In the current 2025–26 season, he opened his Champions League account and has since added 12 more strikes across all competitions. After 18 Belgian Pro League matches, the Canadian striker leads the Golden Boot standings.
His next challenge involves impressing Marsch and proving himself as a genuine high-pressing forward, potentially securing a starting role alongside Jonathan David in Canada's attacking formation.
2. Dayne St. Clair
Dayne St. Clair appears positioned to be Canada's World Cup starter, despite engaging in an intense goalkeeper competition with Maxime Crépeau throughout 2024 and 2025 under Marsch's guidance.
Although both keepers typically split duties during international windows, there's growing belief that St. Clair holds the advantage, given his assignments in higher-profile friendlies. Most recently, the goalkeeper was selected for the match against 23rd-ranked Ecuador, while Crépeau faced 48th-ranked Venezuela.
The 28-year-old solidified his national team standing in 2025 while enjoying his finest MLS campaign, capturing Goalkeeper of the Year recognition for his performances with Minnesota United.
He became only the second Canadian to claim the honor, joining Pat Onstad (2003, 2005 winner), by topping MLS with a 78% save rate and maintaining a goals-against average at or below 1.00.
Following unsuccessful contract negotiations with Minnesota, he's expected to join MLS Cup champions Inter Miami for 2026 and beyond.
1. Tani Oluwaseyi
From late 2024 through 2025, Tani Oluwaseyi enjoyed transformative seasons and stands as a leading candidate to start for Canada at the World Cup, likely partnering Jonathan David in Marsch's 4-4-2 formation.
Following his breakout campaign with Minnesota United in 2024 and earning his first Canadian cap, Oluwaseyi reached new levels in 2025. He started the year in MLS with Minnesota, producing 10 goals and eight assists across 24 matches, before becoming a regular starter for Canada in international friendlies and the Gold Cup.
His physical attributes, effective counter-pressing skills and explosive speed attracted La Liga club Villarreal, who reportedly invested $8.5 million to acquire the striker for the 2025–26 season, reuniting him with fellow Canadian Buchanan.
Since joining the Spanish outfit, Oluwaseyi has found the net in both La Liga and Champions League competition, while maintaining his starting role for Canada, bringing his international tally to two goals in 21 caps.