Niko Sigur’s decision to switch international allegiances and commit to Canada’s national team this week was a victory for head coach Jesse Marsch.
The 20-year-old, technical, defensive midfielder became Marsch’s first important dual national recruit and immediately bolsters his approach in the middle of the park. And Sigur, of Croatian club Hajduk Split, might not be the last dual national Marsch hopes to add, according to multiple sources with knowledge of Canada’s recruiting plans.
Adding dual nationals has long been an important element of Canada’s roster building. Recent additions include 25-year-old forward Ike Ugbo of Sheffield Wednesday in England’s second tier, who had played five times for England Under-20s in 2017 and previously committed to Nigeria ahead of the 2022 World Cup, and Luc de Fougerolles, 18, an English-born defender first called up by Canada last October who made his Fulham first-team debut the following month.
Previous Canada coach John Herdman had success recruiting dual nationals. Under Herdman, players were sold on the opportunity to be part of a rising wave of change. The men’s national team was growing in popularity and players were offered the opportunity to help the sport break through in Canada.
Canadian defender Luc de Fougerolles currently plays for Fulham (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
There was also the lure of playing in that World Cup two years ago.
As co-hosts of the 2026 World Cup, with the United States and Mexico, Canada is guaranteed a spot in that tournament. Hypothetically, dual nationals such as Sigur or Ugbo could have considered that Croatia and Nigeria are not assured of qualification for 2026. With so few guarantees in the soccer world, World Cup games on home soil and the increased attention that comes with that were surely part of a solid sell.
What was missing, however, were bona fide results for Canada on the field. They topped CONCACAF 2022 World Cup qualifying but crashed out of the tournament, finishing ranked 31st out of 32 teams (hosts Qatar also lost all three group-stage games but had a slightly worse goal differential — minus-six to minus-five). The program then suffered through a disappointing year afterwards, with continued losses when facing teams from outside its home region.
So in reality, the sell has not been as easy as of late for Canada Soccer — but then this summer happened.
Marsch has revitalized a team that looked lost through 2023, and the results speak to it.
Canada held 2022 World Cup finalists France to a draw in June, less than a month after Marsch’s appointment. Then, as one of the lowest-ranked teams entering Copa America, Canada pushed World Cup champions Argentina in the tournament opener before a 2-0 defeat. Canada then stormed to a surprise semi-final appearance, only missing out on a third-place playoff win by conceding a stoppage-time equaliser and then losing on penalties. It was Canada’s most impressive showing in an international tournament in the program’s history, progressing further than any of the other five competing CONCACAF teams and looking forever changed.
Marsch led Canada to a Copa America semi-final (Perry McIntyre/Getty Images)
“Maybe some players were thinking that the opportunity to go to a different nation might be better, because they might be able to compete more at the international level,” Marsch said in July. “Now that we’ve shown that we can compete, the recruitment process will hopefully be a little bit easier and cleaner.”
And so, as of late, the sell has been far simpler.
Changing the sport in a country is noble, yes, but perhaps too esoteric for some players. Being part of a winning team? That’s something a young man can certainly get behind.
Some of those Marsch is currently courting have been pitched less on potential and more on recent results, according to multiple sources. Should Canada add some of the players they’re interested in, their squad depth and chances of contending at the next World Cup could increase.
Canada’s next matches are friendlies against the United States on Sept. 7 and Mexico three days later.
These are some of the names involved in Canada Soccer’s recent pursuits to add dual nationals to their team.
After years of continued courtship of Jebbison, Canada Soccer renewed its pursuit of the up-and-coming centre-forward after Copa America, with serious interest from Marsch.
Jebbison was born in Oakville, Ontario to a Jamaican father and an English mother. After developing in the ANB Futbol academy outside Toronto, his family moved to England in 2017, when he was 13, and four years later debuted with England’s under-18s side. Despite Herdman’s continued efforts to land Jebbison, naming him to provisional squads for the 2021 and 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cups, Jebbison continued to move up the ladder with the various English youth teams and wanted to remain with England as he developed. Jebbison played in three of England’s games at the Under-20 World Cup last year.
Jebbison came through Sheffield United’s academy before signing his first professional contract with them in May 2021. That same month, aged 17 years and 309 days, he became the youngest player to score in their first Premier League start.
Jebbison currently plays for AFC Bournemouth (Robin Jones/Getty Images)
Jebbison went on loan to League One’s Burton Albion for the first half of the 2021-22 season and scored regularly in English football’s third tier (seven goals in 20 appearances). Back with his parent club, he became a regular contributor in the second half of 2022-23 as Sheffield United won Premier League promotion. A blood-clot issue kept him out for most of last season but he has since returned to health.
After United’s relegation in May and with his contract expiring this summer, Jebbison signed a four-year deal with Bournemouth of the Premier League but looks set to head out on loan, to Watford in the Championship before next Friday’s transfer deadline, to get regular playing time.
Any increased time on the pitch at club level could help Jebbison possibly break in up front for Canada. And without a long list of No 9s to compete against, there is certainly the chance for him to do so.
Jonathan David and Cyle Larin started every Copa America match together, with David often dropping deeper into a hybrid midfield-forward role to help contribute to the build-up.
David is likely a guaranteed starter for the foreseeable future for Canada. Larin produced tremendous work off the ball at Copa America, despite not scoring a goal. At 29, Larin still has plenty of good soccer ahead of him for the national team, and deserves continued starts. Still, given his age, it’s not inconceivable that Marsch is planning for the next stage of their forward group.
Tani Oluwaseyi, 24, looks ready to challenge for a spot after receiving regular minutes off the bench during Copa America. He is playing his first full MLS season with Minnesota United.
In Jebbison, Marsch could land a player with an already impressive international pedigree, a powerful 6ft 3ins (190cm) frame and the ability to bolster an attack that lagged at times during Copa America. Because of that pedigree, he would likely slot in at third on Canada’s forward depth chart.
Yet his age and the talent he’s already displayed in his professional career mean he likely wouldn’t stay in that spot for long.
The dynamic winger has no shortage of international options.
Koleosho was born in the United States, and has a Nigerian father and an Italian-Canadian mother, born in Montreal. That adds up to four passports for the teenager — and plenty of international experience.
He played for the United States’ under-15s team in 2019. Then, after spending time in Canada’s camp in 2022, he played for Italy in the UEFA Under-19 European Championship in summer 2023 before finishing the year with an appearance for their under-21s.
Koleosho developed in Spanish side Espanyol’s academy before making five La Liga appearances for them, scoring one goal. A July 2023 transfer to Burnley led to him playing regularly in the Premier League before a December knee injury put him out for the second half of the season. He is now fit again, starting both games so far in the 2024-25 Championship, scoring once.
Crucially, Koleosho attended a September 2022 camp for Canada. He did not play, however, as he continued to weigh his options on his senior international career. “He’s starting to grow into that tier-one player,” Herdman said at the time. “And that’s exciting for Canada.”
Marsch and Canada Soccer have increased their pursuit of the Burnley winger. Though Koleosho is in no rush to commit to a senior national team, a decision could likely come closer to the 2026 World Cup. Marsch would have to paint a clear picture of where he sees Koleosho getting playing time.
The wing position is arguably Canada’s deepest. Koleosho has played primarily at left wing though he can also play on the right side. Alphonso Davies can move from left-back to left-winger easily, though Marsch showed plenty of faith in Liam Millar and Jacob Shaffelburg at the latter through Copa America. The right-winger position could offer more room for Koleosho to break in with Canada. Tajon Buchanan should be a lock to start there once he returns from the fractured tibia sustained during Copa America. Richie Laryea stepped into the position admirably but could be more valuable to Canada at wing-back or as a defender.
If Koleosho is open to playing the right side, it could end up making any possible transition into Canada’s roster that much smoother for him.
Jared Stroud, 28, midfield; Peter Stroud, 22, midfield
Could Canada receive an injection of depth from two unsuspecting American-born MLS regulars?
Canada Soccer has pursued the Stroud brothers as of late. The surprise possibility of playing for Canada comes via one of their grandfathers. The likelihood of each of them joining Canada remains to be seen, and while we’re looking at a long-term play here for Marsch, a source close to both Strouds said each would be excited about the opportunity to play for Canada.
What’s important here: both have extensive experience playing for New York Red Bulls in MLS so would be well-versed in former Red Bulls coach Marsch’s preferred style of play. Marsch’s desire to increase squad depth with trusted players makes both Jared and Peter intriguing for Canada.
Jared Stroud has been a reliable asset to D.C. United’s midfield (David Jensen/Getty Images)
Jared was drafted by the Red Bulls late in Marsch’s MLS coaching tenure. The versatile 28-year-old has experience playing multiple positions throughout his five-season MLS career but, considering his play for this season for D.C. United, he could be a welcome addition to Canada’s winger depth.
Peter was a regular starter for the Red Bulls at the beginning of the 2024 season, largely playing as a central midfielder. He suffered an ankle injury in April and has yet to appear again but, following successful surgery, should be welcomed back into the line-up soon. Peter developed in Premier League side West Ham United’s academy and last played internationally for the United States’ under-17s team in 2018.
Jamie Knight-Lebel, 19, centre-back
Keep an eye on Knight-Lebel as the sturdy and responsible centre-back progresses through his professional career. He signed a new three-year deal with Championship side Bristol City in March and has gone out on loan to League Two’s Crewe Alexandra for regular playing time.
Jamie Knight-Lebel has signed a new deal! ✍️ pic.twitter.com/JXtTN7klKx
— Bristol City FC (@BristolCity) March 15, 2024
Knight-Lebel played three games for Canada Under-20s in 2022 and was followed closely last year by former Canada interim head coach Mauro Biello.
Canada’s need to improve their centre-back depth is a continuous one. The Montreal-born Knight-Lebel’s mother is Welsh, making him eligible to play for Wales, too. Wales has stepped up its pursuit of him as of late, according to sources, though his preference is to play for Canada.
Additional reporting: Adam Leventhal
(Top photo: Perry McIntyre/Getty Images)
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Publish date : 2024-08-23 05:26:00
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