By Braden Chalker
Canada are all set to make their Copa America debut this summer with new head coach Jesse Marsch leading the way.
The USMNT's northern neighbors continue to move up in the footballing world having qualified for their first World Cup in decades back in 2022, and they'll make more history this summer when they take the pitch on June 20 against current holders Argentina.
On paper, Canada might not look like the strongest team in Group A, but with ex-Leeds United manager Marsch at the helm, they just might beat out Chile and Peru to the second place spot in Group A should Argentina wrap up first place.
Here's everything you need to know about Canada ahead of Copa America 2024.
How did Canada qualify for Copa America 2024?
Canada managed to book their place in this summer's competition by the skin of their teeth in the CONCACAF Nations League playoff match. After a 4-4 aggregate defeat in the quarter-finals in which Jamaica won out on the away goal rule with three in the second leg, Canada had their backs against the wall in the playoff final against Trinidad and Tobago.
Luckily for Canada, Cyle Larin struck first in the 61st minute before Jacob Shaffelburg secured the victory in stoppage-time to send Les Rouges to Copa America 2024.
Who are Canada's key players for Copa America 2024?
Of course, there's the electric Bayern Munich figure Alphonso Davies who could feature at either left-back or left-wing. Inter wing-back Tajon Buchanan is another name to watch after his limited first season in Serie A that still saw him lift the league title.
FC Porto midfielder Stephen Eustaquio will look to anchor Marsch's midfield, while Larin and Jonathan David could form a strike partnership up front depending on how the team is setup.
Canada's projected 23-played squad for Copa America 2024
Goalkeepers:
- Maxime Crepeau (Portland Timbers)
- Dayne St. Clair (Minnesota United)
- Jonathan Sirois (CF Montreal)
Defenders:
- Sam Adekugbe (Vancouver Whitecaps)
- Moise Bombito (Colorado Rapids)
- Tajon Buchanan (Inter)
- Derek Cornelius (Malmo FF)
- Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich)
- Alistair Johnston (Celtic)
- Kamal Miller (Portland Timbers)
- Joel Waterman (CF Montreal)
Midfielders:
- Ali Ahmed (Vancouver Whitecaps)
- Mathieu Choiniere (CF Montreal)
- Stephen Eustaquio (FC Porto)
- Mark Anthony-Kaye (New England Revolution)
- Ismael Kone (Watford)
- Samuel Piette (CF Montreal)
Forwards:
- Jonathan David (Lille)
- Cyle Larin (Mallorca)
- Liam Miller (Preston North End)
- Jacen Russell-Rowe (Columbus Crew)
- Jacob Shaffelburg (Nashville SC)
- Ike Ugbo (Sheffield Wednesday)
Canada's predicted lineup for Copa America 2024
Canada's predicted lineup for Copa America 2024 ( 3-4-3 ): Crepeau; Johnston, Miller, Waterman; Buchanan, Eustaquio, Kone, Davies; David, Larin, Shaffelburg.
Who will Canada play against at Copa America 2024?
As previously mentioned, Canada will take on the likes of Argentina, Peru and Chile in Group A this summer. Marsch's side will kick things off on June 20 with the opening match of Copa America against current champions Argentina and Lionel Messi at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Canada's second group stage contest comes against Peru on June 25 at Children's Mercy Perk before taking on Chile at Inter&Co Stadium on June 29. Should Canada progress to the quarter-finals, they could take on the Group B runners-up out of Ecuador, Jamaica, Mexico and Venezuela, assuming they finish in second place in Group A behind Argentina.
This article was originally published on 90min.com as Canada's Road to Copa America 2024 .
