Anyone who watched TSN's fanfare CanMNT squad reveal could not come away feeling anything but pumped for the squad selected to represent co-host nation Canada. Questions still linger, but more on that later. For now, there is no disputing that on paper, this is as close to the most talented squad he could name.

Of the 26, there are 13 returning from Qatar 2022: Dayne St. Clair, Alphonso Davies, Richie Laryea, Alistair Johnston, Derek Cornelius, Joel Waterman, Liam Millar, Tajon Buchanan, Stephen Eustáquio, Ismaël Koné, Jonathan Osorio, Cyle Larin, and Jonathan David.

The 13 newcomers to a World Cup squad include Maxime Crépeau, Owen Goodman, Luc De Fougerolles, Moise Bombito, Alfie Jones, Ali Ahmed, Jacob Shaffelburg, Marcelo Flores, Nathan Saliba, Niko Sigur, Mathieu Choinière, Tani Oluwaseyi, and Promise David.

Head coach Jesse Marsch, who had the difficult task of making the roster decisions, is convinced of his choices, stating that those he selected "will be our best players," and that he "felt it was our strongest team." While some questions will linger, predominantly due to the health status of so many key players, the vast majority of this squad picked itself weeks, if not months, ago.

The goalkeeping pair of Dayne St. Clair and Maxime Crépeau unsurprisingly made the cut, as Jesse Marsch declared the two keepers to be the only candidates for the starting role, a decision that has worryingly still not been made, more than a year back. They will be joined by the prospective keeper of the team's future, 22-year-old Owen Goodman.

If health and fitness were not a concern, then the five centre-backs selected by Marsch would be no surprise. Expected to anchor the back line are Moise Bombito and Derek Cornelius, a duo that laid the foundation for much of Marsch's success in the first year of his tenure. Backing them up are 21-year-old Luc De Fougerolles, Alfie Jones, a veteran of the English Championship, and MLS veteran and CPL alumnus Joel Waterman.

Again, when healthy, the fullback contingent is a source of strength for the squad. However, question marks still linger over Richie Laryea and Alphonso Davies, who are expected to occupy left back. The latter is not expected to play a meaningful role until well into the group stage at best. The right side is in the sure hands of Alistair Johnston and his back-up, midfielder convert Niko Sigur, who stepped in during Johnston's extended injury over the past year.

Canada's midfield is anchored by veteran and alternate captain in Davies' absences, Stephen Eustáquio. The midfield general will be expected to play a big role in organizing the team around him on the pitch. His midfield partner will be rising young star Ismaël Koné. They will be supported by Mathieu Choinière, Nathan Saliba, and veteran Jonathan Osorio.

The wide midfield positions will feature returning dynamos Liam Millar on the left wing and Tajon Buchanan on the right flank. Behind them, and occasionally supplanting them, will be Ali Ahmed, recently recruited Marcelo Flores, and the Maritime Messi, Jacob Shaffelburg.

Canada's attack will be led by a pair of veterans and the nation's all-time top scorers among men, Jonathan David and Cyle Larin. In support, there will be the dynamic presence of Promise David and Tani Oluwaseyi.

For varied reasons, there were perhaps three players that came to mind as mild surprises whose names were omitted from Marsch's roster announcement: striker Daniel Jebbison, defender/midfielder Ralph Priso, and left back Zorhan Bassong.

The return to fitness, against the odds, of Bombito and Jones ultimately diminished the prospects for Priso and centre-back Jamie Knight-Lebel to find space in the 26-man roster. Furthermore, Joel Waterman has been ideal for Marsch in his role as the fourth or fifth defender in the pecking order, and has far more experience and attributes valued by Marsch as a centre-back.

Marsch's decision to go with just four strikers instead of the expected five meant several strikers were on the outside looking in, but none more so than Daniel Jebbison. Aside from injury concerns with Promise David, the lanky Jebbison looked to have locked himself into that fifth striker role after an impressive March window in Toronto.

With Promise's surprise recovery from injury, plus Marsch's belief that either Osorio or Flores can play in a second striker role, a fifth striker on the roster became redundant. Furthermore, the return to form of Cyle Larin likely gave Marsch all the confidence he needed to go with just four strikers. In speaking of Larin, Marsch noted "he has had an incredible six months" at Southampton.

Perhaps the most eyebrow-raising decision, again given the injury status of full-backs Davies and Laryea, was the omission of natural left-sided full-back Zorhan Bassong. While not ready just yet, it appears evident that Laryea's health status is improving, and Marsch has indicated that he expects the versatile Laryea to be ready for the opening World Cup game against Bosnia-Herzegovina on 12 June 2026. While Marsch has indicated that some of the centre-backs can cover at left back, this is not an ideal solution, and for the time being, there appears to be very little cushion at left back.

Fitness concerns, despite all the professions of good health and positive recoveries by manager and players alike, remain the elephant in the room. Marsch's statement that he was "very hopeful that all will be ready to go" may hint that confidence in everyone may not be at one hundred percent.

Jacob Shaffelburg made the cut on Friday, despite being injured and not back to full training during last week's pre-camp. While Marsch spoke about Shaffelburg, stating, "I think it's possible that he could be available for the Bosnia game," the impression given is that his recovery is something to watch.

Meanwhile, it was quietly announced that Jayden Nelson, Zorhan Bassong, and Ralph Priso will travel with the team and remain with them through the upcoming friendlies in case of further injuries. Indeed, the upcoming friendlies with Uzbekistan and Ireland will likely paint a more complete picture of where the previously injured players are at, and whether any replacements prior to the 11 June 2026 deadline for Canada may be coming.

While questions continue to persist about player health and match fitness, it must be said that the squad is strong and one that Canada can be proud of. Health concerns notwithstanding, the only potential points of contention about the squad might involve players occupying roster slots 24 to 26.

Jesse Marsch stated that he was "ready to go full tilt with this squad," and all of Canada should be too.