Canada

Canada's all-time top scorer arrives at his second World Cup carrying the weight of a nation's attacking ambitions. Eight goals and five assists in his debut Serie A season at Juventus was not the explosion many expected after his Lille era, but his movement off the ball remains elite and his international conversion rate is outstanding. Marsch builds the entire offensive system around David dropping into pockets, linking midfield to attack, and finishing. If Canada go deep, it will be because he got going.

Canada's captain and their most transformative player, Davies is in a race against a hamstring strain to feature in the group stage. When fit, he is one of the fastest wide players in world football, capable of turning a dead defensive play into a counter-attack in four strides. His mere presence on the pitch draws defensive attention and creates space for David in behind. Marsch has said he will not risk him for the opener, but Canada's ceiling rises dramatically the moment Davies is available.

The vice-captain and midfield anchor, Eustáquio is the player who makes Marsch's press work structurally. He wins the ball back, recycles quickly, and drives forward through the lines when space opens. His decision to join LAFC on loan from Porto in February 2026 was specifically designed to secure regular minutes before the tournament. With Davies out of the opener, he leads the group. A composed, intelligent player who rarely wastes possession under pressure.

The breakout pick. Koné's 2025-26 Serie A campaign at Sassuolo was a revelation: six goals from midfield, relentless energy across 90 minutes, and the kind of box-to-box athleticism that Marsch's system was built for. At 23, he is still learning when to hold and when to press, but his instincts are sharp. He covers enormous ground in the double pivot and his ability to arrive late into the box gives Canada a genuine goal threat from deep. Group B should be the stage where the world sits up and takes notice.

With Davies sidelined for the opener, Bombito becomes Canada's most important defensive presence from minute one. He declared himself 100% fit heading into June 12 and his aerial ability and composure on the ball make him the best pure centre-back in the squad. Reading the game well and comfortable bringing the ball out from the back, Bombito suits Marsch's build-up preference perfectly. Bosnia and Herzegovina's direct runners will test him early, and how he handles that first half-hour will set the tone for Canada's entire group stage.