Canada’s final 23-player roster for the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand was revealed on Sunday, ahead of the team’s first match on July 20. Head coach Bev Priestman brought a group of 25 players to Australia in the preliminary squad for a pre-tournament camp in late June before whittling it down to a final 23. Also part of the group was youth national team standout Olivia Smith as a training player, but after impressing Priestman during the camp, Smith has been named to the final squad as the replacement for veteran midfielder Desiree Scott, who hasn’t played a game this season after needing surgery for a knee injury suffered late last year. There was another late change needed as well, with young defender Jade Rose suffering an injury a few days before the roster announcement and being forced to withdraw from the squad. Gabrielle Carle has been brought in to replace Rose, while Marie-Yasmine Alidou also misses out after being part of the preliminary group. Six players will be heading to their first-ever World Cup: goalkeeper Lysianne Proulx, defender Vanessa Gilles, midfielder Simi Awujo, and forwards Cloé Lacasse, Olivia Smith, and Evelyne Viens. “I’m proud to name this dynamic and exciting 23-player roster,” said Priestman in a press release. “I know every single person has given their all to make this squad. It’s a great mix of veterans, experienced and new players who can all bring something different this summer.” “I’m naturally devastated for the players who have missed out, especially due to injuries, but I know every player will be with us on our journey and have been pivotal in getting us to this point.”
In total, 18 of the 22 players from the side that won Olympic gold in the summer of 2021 are back for more, this time in pursuit of the biggest prize in the sport. Canada is looking to improve on a round of 16 exit in France at the 2019 World Cup, a result that fell below their high expectations. Some notable absences from this Canada squad include the aforementioned Jade Rose, as well as Janine Beckie — who suffered an ACL injury during an NWSL preseason game in March and is expected to miss the entire 2023 season. Veteran midfielder Desiree Scott also misses out after a battle to return in time from injury — while the player who was expected to be her replacement, Marie-Yasmine Alidou, was also left out of the final 23. Clarissa Larisey was also named to the preliminary squad but wasn’t named to the final team despite good form at the club level. With less than two weeks now until they kick off their tournament against Nigeria, the final preparations are underway for Priestman and her squad. They will play a friendly match behind closed doors against 2022 UEFA Women’s Championship winners England on July 14 before their tournament begins a week later. They play Nigeria on Thursday, July 20 (10:30 pm ET/7:30 pm PT), Republic of Ireland on July 26 (8 am ET/5 am PT), and the hosts Australia on July 31 (6 am ET/3 am PT). All matches can be watched live on TSN.
Full Canada Squad:
1- GK- Kailen Sheridan | USA / San Diego Wave FC
2- FB- Allysha Chapman | USA / Houston Dash
3- CB- Kadeisha Buchanan | ENG / Chelsea FC
4- CB- Shelina Zadorsky | ENG / Tottenham Hotspur
5- M- Quinn | USA / OL Reign
6- F- Deanne Rose | ENG / Reading FC
7- M- Julia Grosso | ITA / Juventus FC
8- FB- Jayde Riviere | ENG / Manchester United FC
9- F- Jordyn Huitema | USA / OL Reign
10- FB- Ashley Lawrence | ENG / Chelsea FC
11- F- Evelyne Viens | SWE / Kristianstads DFF
12- F/M- Christine Sinclair | USA / Portland Thorns FC
13- M- Sophie Schmidt | USA / Houston Dash
14- CB- Vanessa Gilles | FRA / FCF Olympique Lyonnais
15- F- Nichelle Prince | USA / Houston Dash
16- FB- Gabrielle Carle | USA / Washington Spirit
17- M- Jessie Fleming | ENG / Chelsea FC
18- GK- Sabrina D’Angelo | ENG / Arsenal FC
19- F- Adriana Leon | ENG / Manchester United FC
20- F- Cloé Lacasse | ENG / Arsenal FC
21- M- Simi Awujo | USA / University of Southern California
22- GK- Lysianne Proulx | POR / SCU Torreense
23- F/M- Olivia Smith | USA / Pennsylvania State University