For the first time since an outstanding Copa América campaign, the Canadian men’s national team are back in action as they face fellow 2026 FIFA World Cup co-hosts the United States and Mexico.

They face the Americans on Saturday, Sept. 7 (4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT) in Kansas City for the first time since a penalty shootout loss in the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup quarter-finals. They haven’t played Mexico — who they’ll play on Tuesday, Sept. 10 (8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT) at AT&T Stadium in Dallas — since the now-famous 2-1 victory at the ‘Iceteca’ in 2022 World Cup qualifying on Nov. 16, 2021. Both friendlies will be available to watch live and on-demand on OneSoccer.

While these friendlies certainly won’t match the intensity or importance of the recent competitive fixtures between Canada and their Concacaf rivals, they are big steps in the preparation for the upcoming Concacaf Nations League matches, and looking ahead to next summer’s Gold Cup.

As Canada regroup for their third international window under Jesse Marsch, there will be a lot of questions about whether or not the team can continue on their impressive upward trajectory. Here are a few of those questions to watch ahead of the Concacaf clashes:

How does the CanMNT match up against the top two teams in Concacaf under Jesse Marsch?

Canada have played, and matched up well against, both the United States and Mexico multiple times over the past five years. But there has been a lot of change for all three federations of late, making these meetings especially intriguing.

Under Marsch, who was tipped by many to eventually inherit the U.S. men’s national team job, Canada unquestionably had the best Copa América of any Concacaf side, with both Mexico and the U.S. failing to get out of their respective groups. As a result, both nations sacked their managers and could be debuting new ones for this September window.

The United States have been strongly linked to Mauricio Pochettino, formerly of Tottenham, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, but with Saturday’s game rapidly approaching no formal announcement has been made. Interim head coach Mikey Varas is currently at the helm, an assistant under former USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter.

Mexico, meanwhile, will be playing their second match under head coach Javier Aguirre, who is in his third stint as El Tri manager. His most recent appointment was coaching Mallorca (and Cyle Larin) in Spain last season.

How Canada performs against these potentially rejuvenated Concacaf giants will be an intriguing preview of the year ahead, where they will potentially face these nations again in more competitive fixtures in both the Nations League and Gold Cup.

Can Canada find ways to score more goals?

For as successful as Canada’s summer was under Jesse Marsch, in many ways, it came despite the team’s struggles in front of goal.

Canada generated a fair amount of chances through their two friendlies and six matches at the Copa América, but found the back of the net just four times. Finding ways to continue that chance production, while being more clinical in front of goal should be a big focus for this team who certainly have the attacking talent to be lethal.

All-time leading goalscorer Cyle Larin is still looking to open his account under the new gaffer, and questions remain as to whether a straight partnership with Jonathan David gets the best out of either of them offensively. Their collective workrate off the ball at Copa, however, was impressive. David, meanwhile, is off to an outstanding start to the season with Lille in France, and Marsch will be hoping he can parlay that into a strong window for Canada.

Beyond the big two, and even including Larin, Canada’s other attackers haven’t been quite as lethal lately for club. After a red-hot start to the MLS season, Tani Oluwaseyi has scored just once since returning to Minnesota United, while also dealing with injury, and Jacob Shaffelburg has been rather quiet with Nashville SC.

Late call-up Jacen Russell-Rowe of Columbus Crew might be in the best form, having scored in the Leagues Cup final against LAFC and again this weekend in stoppage time against New York City FC. However, he has played just five minutes so far under Jesse Marsch. Which players can step up and finish opportunities during this window remains a significant question mark.

Canada, of course, won’t only be reliant on out-and-out attackers for offence, with the likes of Alphonso Davies at fullback. It is also worth noting that fellow fullback Alistair Johnston is off to an outstanding start offensively in his Scottish Premier League season with Celtic, having scored against St. Mirren before assisting in a 3-0 win over Rangers this weekend. Perhaps he can bring that attacking flair with him to Canada camp — where he has scored just once in 48 caps.

After Ligue 1 moves how does the Cornelius/Bombito pairing develop?

It has been a dream summer for central defenders Derek Cornelius and Moïse Bombito. Not only did they become household names in this Canadian side after showing well against some of the best attackers in the world, and in some instances the history of the sport, during this summer’s friendlies and the 2024 Copa América, they also earned big moves on the back of those performances.

Cornelius joined fellow Canadian Ismaël Koné at Ligue 1 side Marseille and has already made a pair of starts. Bombito, meanwhile, made a big move to OGC Nice from the Colorado Rapids. He has also made two starts since joining his new club, but was sent off in his most recent match.

Now with higher pedigrees and expectations, the pair will get to continue their partnership against a pair of Concacaf powerhouses. If they can build off their Copa América performance, where they helped Canada to concede just seven goals in six games it will be an immensely positive sign for the future of this group.

How does Niko Sigur fit into the CanMNT setup in his first camp?

Since Canada’s strong performance at the Copa América, one of Marsch’s big priorities has been identifying and recruiting dual nationals who can potentially help this team going forward. For this September camp, he has called up an exciting one in 20-year-old defensive midfielder/right-back Niko Sigur.

The Burnaby native has previously represented Croatia at the youth level after a move to top Croatian club Hajduk Split — for whom he just made his 50th appearance in all competitions. What is most exciting about Sigur’s decision to play for Canada, other than his age and experience at a solid level in Europe is the fact that he fits a need for this Canadian men’s national team at number six.

Having a player like him who can play at the base of the midfield will not only help Canada defensively but also allow Stephen Eustáquio and Ismaël Koné licence to get forward and create more in attack.

With no Koné at this camp due to injury, nor veteran defensive midfielder Samuel Piette, there is a chance Sigur could see some minutes if he can integrate quickly. A start might be out of the question, especially since the 20-year-old is returning from injury, but he has the profile and talent to be an exciting part of this team going forward and add depth and quality in a position where Canada need it most.

Who gets a bigger chance to shine during the September window?

In his eight matches so far as manager of Canada, with perhaps the exception of a rotated squad against Uruguay in the Copa América third-place game, Jesse Marsch has been pretty consistent in his lineup selection. With the stakes a little bit lower, perhaps that will change in September and he will take a wider look at some of his options.

One of the standout performers for Canada against Uruguay was Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Ali Ahmed, and with Ismaël Koné’s injury, he will certainly be in consideration for another start. The same can be said for Mathieu Choinière, who has yet to feature for new club Grasshopper in Switzerland but has been spoken of highly by the Canada manager in recent weeks.

Earning his first call-up, Stephen Afrifa is an intriguing player as well. Jesse Marsch showed he had no issue throwing Tani Oluwaseyi in for big minutes off the bench at the Copa América, and playing in his home stadium in Kansas City perhaps Afrifa will get similar treatment. Capable of playing across the front line, he is a dynamic attacker able to take players on and is confident in front of goal.

While he is a late call-up, Nathan Saliba remains a potentially exciting prospect for the national team and his ability in possession could really fit well with Canada’s technically adept midfield. Perhaps if he impresses at camp he could see a few minutes off the bench and demonstrate his potential as a future option for this men’s national team.

These are certainly important games, but as mentioned, also a good chance for Marsch to test some of his more depth options against top opposition.