Canada Copa America squad 2024: Complete list of CanMNT players in national team roster at CONMEBOL tournament in USA

After a harrowing qualification journey and a surprise coaching appointment over an eventful few months to begin 2024, Canada have reached the 2024 Copa America and are ready to do battle with the best the Americas have to offer.

Set to begin the competition with the Copa America tournament opener against Lionel Messi and defending champions Argentina, Canada have their work cut out for them heading into their biggest test of the World Cup cycle so far.

Canada tabbed American manager Jesse Marsch as the nation's new head coach just weeks before the start of the tournament, a spicy and risky endeavor to prepare his trademark high-pressing system with so little time before the beginning of the major international competition.

The Sporting News takes you through the Canada roster for the 2024 Copa America, with Jesse Marsch making a few surprising calls ahead of their opening match against...gulp...defending World Cup and Copa America champions Argentina.

MORE: Breaking down the USMNT roster for the Copa America as Gregg Berhalter makes his picks

How many players are in Copa America 2024 squads?

Teams had the opportunity to name provisional squads of up to 55 players for pre-tournament training camps and friendly matches. These groups had to be a minimum of 35 players and contain at least four goalkeepers.

The final rosters, which must have ben confirmed by June 15 (except for Paraguay, who had until June 18), comprise a maximum of 26 players. At least three of these players must be goalkeepers, and they must all be selected from the provisional squad, except in exceptional circumstances.

Canada roster for Copa America 2024

Jesse Marsch's final 26-man roster for the 2024 Copa America was announced on June 15, the final day to submit squads to CONMEBOL for the tournament.

Copa America rosters have been expanded to 26 players from the initial 23, meaning Marsch only needed to cut one player from the 27-player camp convened for pre-tournament friendlies against France and Netherlands in Europe.

However, instead of taking the easy route, Marsch decided to make a few surprise changes to the lineup. He has called in Ali Ahmed and Jacen Russell-Rowe who were not part of the European friendly camp, while dropping young up-and-coming star Ike Ugbo, which was a stunner.

Ages, caps are correct as of Copa America start on June 20, 2024.

Who will start for Canada at the 2024 Copa America?

Predicted Canada starting lineup at 2024 Copa America

4-3-3, right to left: Crepeau (GK) — Johnston, K. Miller, Bombito, Davies — Eustaquio, Osorio, Kone — Millar, Larin, David.

The biggest issue for Canada coming into the Copa America is depth, and that is laid bare with the injury to left-back Sam Adekugbe which has ruled him out of the competition.

Replacing him will give Jesse Marsch a headache, as there is no other natural left-back in the squad. Moving Alphonso Davies back into defense appears to be the choice given his lineups in the friendlies against France and Netherlands, but it leaves significant space behind him with which to exploit, while also sapping the Bayern star of his best contributions which are in the attacking third.

Yet there's no other strong, more natural option either. Alistair Johnston and Richie Laryea are both right-sided players who could potentially be flipped over to the left, but that comes with significant risk.

The midfield is also thin, as finding a pivot partner for Stephen Eustaquio will be a necessary challenge as there is no true No. 6 in the squad to deploy behind him.

Up front, the usual suspects of Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David are present, with Cyle Larin serving as the true striker plus the pacey super sub Jacob Shaffelburg. Leaving off Ike Ugbo is a massive snub from Jesse Marsch, who once criticized Gregg Berhalter for calling Gio Reyna in to the U.S. squad only for the youngester to carve Mexico to shreds shortly after. Could he regret this one as well?

Canada Copa America 2024 schedule, matches

Canada travelled to Europe for a pair of high-powered friendlies against Euro title contenders Netherlands and France. The challenge was necessary given Canada are set to open the Copa America against World Cup winners Argentina.

Following the game against Lionel Messi and the Albiceleste, which raises the curtain on the Copa America in Atlanta, they will take on Peru and Chile in an effort to qualify for the knockout bracket.

A shocking spot atop Group A would see them play a quarterfinal in Houston, while a more reasonable second-place finish would book a quarterfinal spot at JerryWorld in Arlington.