Canada men's soccer national team unveils roster for World Cup qualifiers in January & February 2022

Canada national team manager John Herdman named a 25-man roster for the three clutch CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers in January and February and the absence of one name stands out above the rest (full roster follows below). 

Star player Alphonso Davies was not included on the list as Canada Soccer had confirmed a week prior, when it was revealed by his club team Bayern Munich that Davies was suffering from mild myocarditis following a recent bout with COVID-19. 

The undefeated Canadians, who are in first place in regional qualifying standings, are facing three matches in three countries over the span of a week: in Honduras (Jan. 27), vs. USA on home soil in Hamilton (Jan. 30) and in El Salvador (Feb. 2). If it can avoid defeat in those matches and perhaps pick up one or two wins, it could place itself in prime position to qualify for its first men's World Cup since 1986.

MORE: How Canada can qualify for World Cup

But the Canadians may also be forced to face a portion of those matches without influential central midfielder Stephen Eustaquio due to a positive COVID-19 test. He was still included on the list and reports indicate that Canada Soccer is hopeful he can participate in part of the upcoming qualifying schedule. On Jan. 24 Eustaquio officially joined European giant FC Porto on loan through the end of the season, but his unveiling was done at home where he has been forced to quarantine.

In addition to Davies, the other omissions from the squad were David Wotherspoon who is recovering from knee surgery, and CF Montreal goalkeeper James Pantemis whose place as third-string is taken by Jayson Leutwiler of English side Oldham Athletic. The Swiss-born Leutwiler was on Canada's 2021 Gold Cup squad and last featured in a 2017 friendly.

All the other regulars are on the list, including six who recently switched clubs: Tajon Buchanan (Club Brugge), Maxime Crepeau (LAFC), Liam Fraser (KMSK Deinze), Alistair Johnston (CF Montreal), Richie Laryea (Nottingham Forest) and Eustaquio (FC Porto).

MORE: What Bayern Munich said about Alphonso Davies myocarditis

Canada roster for 2022 World Cup qualifiers

CONCACAF World Cup qualifying standings

Canada currently sit atop the standings in the race to qualify for the 2022 World Cup from the CONCACAF region. 

MORE: Complete CONCACAF qualifying calendar

The top three teams earn automatic qualification to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, while the team finishing in fourth will play an intercontinental playoff against the winner of the Oceana region. The bottom four teams are eliminated.

Canada World Cup qualifying schedule & results

Below is the full list of Canada's past results and final six scheduled matches in the quest for 2022 World Cup qualification (home teams listed first).