Canada’s men’s national soccer team is setting its sights firmly on the future as they travel to Bucharest to take on Romania in an international friendly this Friday at Arena Națională. With the sting of a disappointing Gold Cup exit now behind them, Les Rouges are determined to make every moment count as they prepare for a historic 2026 FIFA World Cup on home soil. The stakes may not be as high as they’ll be next summer, but for both sides, this clash carries plenty of significance.
Friday’s matchup marks the first-ever meeting between Romania and Canada, adding a layer of intrigue to an already compelling contest. For Canada, the road to the World Cup is unique this cycle. As co-hosts alongside the United States and Mexico, they’re spared the grind of Concacaf qualification. But that comes with its own challenges: only ten friendlies across five FIFA international windows are scheduled before the tournament kicks off. That’s not a lot of time for head coach Jesse Marsch to shape his squad and build cohesion.
Marsch, who took over with high expectations, saw his side crash out of the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup at the quarterfinal stage, falling to Guatemala in a penalty shootout. It was a bitter pill, especially after Canada had gone undefeated in the group stage, racking up nine goals in three matches. Much of the postmortem focused on a first-half red card to Jacob Shaffelburg, which left Les Rouges shorthanded and ultimately contributed to their downfall. But Marsch isn’t dwelling on the past. "We have to use these friendlies to build depth and chemistry. Every match is a chance to get better," he said in the lead-up to Friday’s game.
Canada’s squad for this European swing is a mix of familiar faces and fresh talent, shaped as much by circumstance as by design. Star left-back Alphonso Davies is still rehabbing from a torn ACL suffered late last season, while striker Cyle Larin withdrew for family reasons—reportedly related to finalizing a loan move to Feyenoord. The defense is also shorthanded: Alistair Johnston is out with a hamstring injury, and Sam Adekugbe is sidelined indefinitely after tearing his Achilles. The absences of Jonathan Osorio and Kamal Miller raised eyebrows, but Marsch clarified that their omissions were due to club commitments and that both remain in the World Cup picture.
In their place, Marsch has turned to up-and-coming prospects. Nineteen-year-old Luc de Fougerolles, currently on loan from Fulham to Belgian side Dender, continues his rapid rise and could feature in the back line. Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty, a 21-year-old full-back who’s made a name for himself with MLS’s Charlotte FC, gets his first international call-up and might slot in for Johnston. It’s a big opportunity for both, and their inclusion underscores Canada’s commitment to building depth as the World Cup approaches.
Canada’s predicted starting XI (in a 4-4-2 formation) features Maxime Crepeau in goal; Marshall-Rutty, de Fougerolles, Derek Cornelius, and Richie Laryea across the back; Tajon Buchanan, Ismael Kone, Stephen Eustaquio, and Jacob Shaffelburg in midfield; and Tani Oluwaseyi partnering Jonathan David up front. The full roster includes a blend of experience and youth, with the likes of Junior Hoilett, Nathan Saliba, and Theo Blair providing options off the bench.
On the other side, Romania enters the match looking to hit the reset button after a mixed run in their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign. The Tricolorii, currently ranked 48th in the world, sit third in their UEFA qualifying group—trailing Bosnia & Herzegovina and Austria—and know they need to make up ground to secure a spot in North America next summer. Their most recent outing, a 2-0 win over Cyprus, featured goals from Florin Tanase and Dennis Man, both of whom are expected to play key roles against Canada.
Romania’s squad is also dealing with its share of absences and transitions. Tottenham defender Radu Dragusin is recovering from an ACL tear and won’t return until midway through the upcoming club season. Striker Daniel Birligea was called up after impressive Europa League performances but had to withdraw due to injury. Veteran Vlad Chiriches, a mainstay with 77 international caps, has been left out and may be phased out of the national team moving forward.
That has opened the door for a new generation. Andrei Borza, just 19, is pushing for his first cap after establishing himself as a regular at Rapid Bucuresti, while Stefan Baiaram, another exciting prospect, could also make his debut. Romania’s predicted lineup (4-4-2, right to left) features Horatiu Moldovan in goal; Andrei Ratiu, Mihai Popescu, Andrei Burca, and Deian Sorescu in defense; Dennis Man, Razvan Marin, Darius Olaru, and Nicolae Stanciu in midfield; with Denis Dragus and Florin Tanase leading the attack. The full squad includes a mix of established names and promising newcomers, as manager Edward Iordanescu looks to balance experience with fresh energy.
Historically, Romania has fared well against North American opposition, most recently defeating Trinidad and Tobago 4-0 in a 2013 friendly. But they’ve managed just one clean sheet in their last five outings, a stat that could give Canada’s forwards some hope. For Canada, their last match against European opposition was a resounding 4-2 win over Ukraine in June, highlighted by a Jonathan David brace. That result will give Les Rouges confidence heading into Friday’s fixture.
Kickoff at Arena Națională is set for 8 p.m. local time (2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT), with Belgian referee Lothar D’hondt overseeing the action. Both teams will be looking to test tactical tweaks and assess new faces, but the competitive edge will be there—especially with World Cup dreams looming large for both nations.
Predictions for the match are tight. With both squads missing key players and integrating fresh talent, many expect a low-scoring affair. Four of Canada’s last five matches have produced fewer than 2.5 goals, and Romania’s recent form suggests a disciplined, if sometimes leaky, defense. A 1-1 draw is the consensus among analysts, but in friendlies like this, surprises are always possible. Will a new star emerge? Or will experience win out on the night?
For fans on both sides, Friday’s friendly is more than just a tune-up. It’s a glimpse of what’s to come—a chance to see the next generation of talent, to build momentum, and to lay the groundwork for bigger stages ahead. With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, every match matters, and both Romania and Canada will be eager to make the most of their time under the lights in Bucharest.
