Canada face Chile in Toronto this Saturday with the biggest talking point already settled: Alphonso Davies will not be involved. Jesse Marsch has left out his most recognisable player for the friendly, a call that keeps the spotlight on how Canada manage the match without the strongest face of their football.
It is a notable omission because Davies is the player who gives Canada their highest ceiling in decisive moments. But it also underlines something else about Marsch's side. This is a team that has moved into a stronger place in Concacaf, finished fourth at Copa América 2024 after reaching the semifinals, and now carries a squad built around a wider group rather than one individual.
Marsch has built a more reliable Canada
Marsch took over as head coach of Canadá in May 2024 and has already given the side a clear identity. Canada use a regular 4-4-2 system under him, and the results have shown a team that can compete with the best in the region. They drew 0-0 with Chile at Copa América 2024, a result that eliminated Chile, and they also moved through a World Cup campaign that took them to the round of 16 before defeat to Marruecos.
The 26-man squad for this FIFA window includes 16 players who were part of the World Cup roster, which gives Canada a strong base of familiarity. That continuity matters in a match like this, because Marsch is not starting from scratch. He is working with players who know the system and understand the demands of playing for a side that now sees itself as the third major force in Concacaf behind México and Estados Unidos.
The missing star and the players who remain
Davies remains the most striking name missing from the group, even if Canada still have important attacking options. Jonathan David and Cyle Larin are among the key players expected to carry responsibility, while Ismaël Koné is another significant figure in the squad after recovering from the serious injury he suffered in the World Cup match against Qatar.
Canada's progress under Marsch has not been built on glamour alone. It has also been shaped by discipline and structure, especially after he once said he found players overtrained and under extreme stress in a previous role, with the methodology not being ideal. That background helps explain why he may prefer control and balance over forcing the issue with every available star.
For Chile, the match is another test in North America. For Canada, it is a chance to show they can keep the level high even without Davies. The result will matter, but so will the performance, because Marsch's side are now judged by whether they can keep building the same identity regardless of who is left out.
