Afrifa called up for Canada

Canada Soccer has announced MLS Canada Head Coach Jesse Marsch’s selection of 23 players to represent Canada in the September FIFA window. Sporting Kansas City forward Stephen Afrifa was included for his first camp with the Canadian National Team.

Canada is riding high after a strong run in Copa América and are eager to build on that success by facing the other CONCACAF powers and fellow World Cup 2026 hosts. Canada will face the United States on Sept. 7 at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas, and then head south to meet Mexico on Sept. 10 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

“We’re excited to get the group back together after a positive Copa América,” Jesse Marsch stated. “We’re eager to play against two of the best teams in our region to help prepare us for the upcoming Concacaf competitions.”

Afrifa is in his second season with Sporting KC and starting to establish himself. He is tied for second on Sporting with five goals in all competitions this season. Afrifa will join the squad when the train in Kansas City and will likely miss SKC’s away match against Red Bull NY on September 7^th.

“He’s had a great season,” Marsch told media after the announcement. “I think when we evaluated watching him play and looking at the things that he was doing on the pitch and the kind of player he is, and the kind of potential he has, I think he could fit into what we’re doing with this current team. We’re excited to get him involved and I had a conversation with him a couple days ago. He’s really excited to come in to be part of the national team, to represent the country.

“I think we’ve added two really bright additions,” Marsch added referring to Afrifa and fellow first callup Niko Sigur.“This is something I’ve been dreaming of since I was a kid,” Afrifa acknowledged. “I’m happy, family is happy, excited to get the opportunity.”

Everyone is happy to make their first national team appearance but it could be really special for Afrifa with the first match taking place in his home stadium. “Best way to start, honestly couldn’t wish it any other way,” Afrifa smiled when thinking about the chance.

While the young winger dreamed about playing for his country, he did not expect it to come this early in his professional career.  “Honestly, I didn’t think it would happen this quick. Obviously, I have my goals. I always said to myself 2026, I’m going to make sure I’m there (for the World Cup). But obviously getting in now is a great opportunity to build on that and get to show them what I can do. So that’s good.”

Afrifa has looked up to several players from Canada, the number one being Alphonso Davies. “It’s going to be great to see those guys,  sliding into training and playing with them,” Afrifa said.

CANMNT A-Z
​Player | Age | City in which they grew up | Notable Canadian youth clubs    

Adekugbe, Sam | 29 | Calgary, AB, CAN | Calgary Foothills SC

Afrifa, Stephen | 23 | Toronto, ON, CAN | Woodbridge Strikers SC

Ahmed, Ali | 23 | Toronto, ON, CAN | North Toronto SC

Bair, Theo | 24 | Ottawa, ON, CAN | Ottawa Royals

Bombito, Moïse | 24 | Montréal, QC, CAN | CS Saint-Laurent

Choinière, Mathieu | 25 | St-Alexandre, QC, CAN | AS Haut-Richelieu

Cornelius, Derek | 26 | Ajax, ON, CAN | Ajax SC

Crépeau, Maxime | 30 | Candiac, QC, CAN | Ligue de soccer pour enfants de Candiac

David, Jonathan | 24 | Ottawa, ON, CAN | Ottawa Gloucester Dragons

Davies, Alphonso | 23 | Edmonton, AB, CAN | Edmonton Inter

Eustáquio, Stephen | 27 | Leamington, ON, CAN & Nazaré, POR | Leamington MS

Johnston, Alistair | 25 | Aurora, ON, CAN | Lakeshore SC

Larin, Cyle | 29 | Brampton, ON, CAN | Brampton YSC

Laryea, Richie | 29 | Toronto, ON, CAN | Club Uruguay Toronto

Millar, Liam | 24 | Brampton, ON, CAN | Brampton YSC

Miller, Kamal | 27 | Scarborough, ON, CAN | Scarborough Malvern SC

Oluwaseyi, Tani | 24 | Mississauga, ON, CAN | GPS Academy

Osorio, Jonathan | 32 | Brampton, ON, CAN | Toronto Futsal League

Shaffelburg, Jacob | 24 | Port Williams, NS, CAN | Valley United SC

Sigur, Niko | 20 | Burnaby, BC, CAN | Mountain United FC

Sirois, Jonathan | 23 | Lasalle, QC, CAN | CS St-Hubert

St. Clair, Dayne | 27 | Pickering, ON, CAN | Ephinay Church Soccer League

Waterman, Joel | 28 | Surrey, BC, CAN | Surrey United SC