3 Players Jesse Marsch Must Call Up for Canada in March

Canada will announce its squad for the March international window on Thursday, with Jesse Marsch facing important decisions ahead of friendlies against Iceland and Tunisia in Toronto. Injuries to several established options have made this camp more significant, with the 2026 World Cup approaching and only a limited number of matches left to evaluate depth.

Alphonso Davies, Promise David and Alistair Johnston are among the players Canada will miss this month, which opens the door for others to force their way into the conversation before the 26-man World Cup squad is named this summer. In an expanded camp that could include as many as 30 players, three names stand out as especially worthy of a call-up.

1. Marcelo Flores — Tigres UANL Attacker Ready For First Full Opportunity

Marcelo Flores is set to earn his first cap for the Canada men’s national team. / Luis Cano Jam Media/Getty Images

Marcelo Flores enters this window at a key moment in his international pathway. After completing his one-time switch from Mexico, the 22-year-old is now in position to take part in his first full Canada camp, and his versatility makes him a valuable option for Marsch to assess.

Flores can operate as a striker or in a wide role, which gives Canada flexibility against different opponents and different game states. He was previously involved as a training player in the November camp and had been expected around the January setup before eligibility concerns delayed that step. Now that those issues are behind him, the timing is right.

At club level, Flores has become a fringe regular for Tigres in Liga MX, recording 452 minutes across six starts and seven appearances while scoring three goals. Canada do not need a finished player in March. They need clarity on whether Flores can offer enough technical quality and attacking speed to help at the World Cup.

2. Aribim Pepple — Canada’s Form Striker Deserves A Close Look

Aribim Pepple has 10 goals in 11 matches with Plymouth Argyle. / IMAGO / PPAUK

Aribim Pepple is difficult to ignore on current form. The 23-year-old has scored 14 goals this season for Plymouth Argyle, with 10 of those coming in his last 11 matches, making him one of the most productive Canadian attackers available to Marsch.

Pepple’s route has not been straightforward. After emerging with Cavalry FC, he moved into the English system through Luton Town and then continued across a series of clubs before finding rhythm at Plymouth. What matters now is that he is scoring consistently and helping push the club toward the edge of the promotion playoff places.

With Promise David unavailable, this is a practical moment for Canada to take a closer look. Even if Pepple begins as part of a broader training group, the upside is obvious. A team preparing for a World Cup should not overlook an in-form striker producing at this rate.

3. Ralph Priso — Defensive Depth Option With Growing Relevance

Ralph Priso impressed at center back for Canada in a Tier-2 January friendly against Guatemala. / Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Ralph Priso may offer one of the most interesting roster solutions in the squad. The Vancouver Whitecaps player had never played center back before the latter stages of the 2025 MLS season, yet he now looks like a realistic candidate to help Canada in that position.

The 23-year-old has adapted quickly alongside Tristan Blackmon and has shown pace, physical awareness and composure in a tactically demanding role. Those qualities have elevated him from an emergency option to a genuine contender for further international involvement.

Priso also made an impression in Canada’s 1-0 unofficial January win over Guatemala, which strengthened the case for another look in a more competitive setting. With Moïse Bombito, Derek Cornelius, Alfie Jones and Luc De Fougerolles all hopeful of being fit by the summer, Canada still need to establish their next line of depth. Priso has done enough to justify that opportunity in March.

Canada’s March camp is not only about immediate results against Iceland and Tunisia. It is also one of the last meaningful windows to test form players, resolve depth questions and sharpen the World Cup picture. Marcelo Flores, Aribim Pepple and Ralph Priso each address a different need, and each has a credible case to be in Jesse Marsch’s squad.