Soccer powerhouse Brampton sends five players to FIFA World Cup

As Canada prepares to host the biggest sporting event in its history, Brampton will have a strong presence on the national team after five players with ties to the city were named to the country’s final FIFA World Cup roster.

Canada Soccer unveiled its 26-player squad on Friday, with head coach Jesse Marsch announcing the selections during a nationally televised special. Each player’s name was displayed on the CN Tower’s EdgeWalk platform overlooking Toronto, one of the host cities for the 2026 tournament.

Among those selected are Brampton natives Tajon Buchanan, Jonathan Osorio, Cyle Larin and Promise David, along with Liam Millar, who grew up in Brampton before moving to England at age 13.

“It is an honour to name our squad for a World Cup on home soil,” Marsch said in a statement. “These players reflect the many communities, cultures, and journeys that make up this country. They are determined, fearless, and proud to wear Canada across their chest.”

The Brampton contingent highlights the city’s reputation as one of Canada’s premier soccer hotbeds.

Buchanan, 27, a midfielder with Spain’s Villarreal CF, has become one of Canada’s most recognizable players thanks to his speed and attacking ability. He was a key member of the squad that qualified for the 2022 World Cup and has continued to establish himself in top-level European soccer.

Osorio, 33, a longtime Toronto FC midfielder, is one of the most experienced players on the Canadian roster. A veteran of multiple World Cup qualifying campaigns, he has earned more than 80 appearances for the national team and remains a key leader in the dressing room.

Larin, 31, now with Southampton FC, enters the tournament second among Canada’s all-time leading men’s goal scorers. The Brampton-born striker has played professionally in North America, Turkey, Belgium and Spain before returning to English football.

Promise David, 24, has enjoyed a rapid rise in recent years. The forward, who plays for Belgian club Union SG, earned a place on the World Cup roster after strong performances in Europe and with the national team.

Millar, currently with Hull City FC, spent much of his childhood in Brampton before pursuing opportunities in England. The winger has represented Canada at multiple international levels and adds valuable depth and experience to the squad.

A sixth Brampton representative, Jayden Nelson, 23, missed the final cut for the tournament roster but will stay with the team as an alternate and remains on standby as a flexible injury replacement option should a rostered player drop out before the tournament kicks off.

The FIFA World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19 across Canada, the United States and Mexico. Canada opens the tournament on June 12 in Toronto before playing additional group-stage matches in Vancouver.

For Brampton soccer fans, the roster announcement ensures there will be plenty of local connections to follow when Canada takes the field on the world’s biggest stage.