CanWNT names roster for October friendlies against Brazil in Montréal, Halifax

2023-10-18

Mitchell Tierney, Digital Content Producer (@mitchelltierney)

The Canadian women’s national team announced their squad for an upcoming pair of friendlies against the Brazilian women’s national team on Wednesday afternoon.

The 26-player squad features most of the usual national team regulars including captain Christine Sinclair, as well as a return from injury for Deanne Rose and Jayde Rivière.

University of Miami goalkeeper Melissa Dagenais has also received her first call-up, while midfielder Emma Regan returns to the side for the first time since 2018.

Canada open the window on October 28 in Montreal, Québec at Stade Saputo, before travelling further east on October 31 for a historic first match in Halifax, Nova Scotia. That match will take place at the Wanderers Grounds, home to the Canadian Premier League’s Halifax Wanderers, and has already sold out. Both matches will be available on OneSoccer.

Having qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympics last month by beating Jamaica over two legs in a playoff (4-1 on aggregate), the national team now begins preparations for its fifth straight Olympic appearance. Canada has medalled the last three times, and are the defending Gold Medallists after winning the Tokyo 2020 tournament.

Canada beat Brazil on penalty kicks during the quarter-finals of that competition. The two national teams have played a further seven times in the past five years, with Canada winning twice and Brazil three times, plus two draws.

Like Canada, Brazil are coming off a somewhat disappointing World Cup, also failing to advance from their group after a 0-0 draw with Jamaica on the final matchday of Group F. They dropped to ninth in the world, one spot ahead of Canada who currently sit 10th.

Here is the full Canadian squad: