Canadian roster announced ahead of Toronto test
Canada’s senior women’s team will take on Denmark in Toronto on Oct. 12 after meeting the visitors in Montreal three days earlier, head coach Casey Stoney confirmed Tuesday when she unveiled a 24-player squad. The matches are the latest step in the team’s preparations for the CONCACAF W Championship in November, a tournament that will determine qualification for both the 2027 Women’s World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The squad includes several players with ties to Ontario clubs and institutions, and a mix of established internationals and players who have come into prominence at club level. The Canada Soccer Federation will stage the second friendly in Toronto on Oct. 12, offering local supporters an opportunity to see the national side in person before the high-stakes regional championship.
“We haven’t had everyone together since June, so there’s a real excitement about coming into camp, seeing each other again and getting back on the pitch,” Stoney said. “These two games are an important opportunity for us to continue building and test ourselves against a strong Denmark side. To play in front of our supporters in Montreal and Toronto makes all of this even more special.”
Squad breakdown
The roster features four goalkeepers, a strong contingent of defenders drawn from top European clubs, midfielders with NWSL and European experience, and forwards who will be expected to provide goals in the build-up to November.
- Match dates: Oct. 9 in Montreal; Oct. 12 in Toronto
- Purpose: Preparation for CONCACAF W Championship (qualifier for 2027 World Cup and 2028 Olympics)
- Roster size: 24 players
Key names on the roster include household internationals and club standouts. Among the goalkeepers are Melissa Dagenais (Ottawa Rapid FC), Sabrina D’Angelo (AFC Toronto), Lysianne Proulx (Ipswich Town FC) and Kailen Sheridan (North Carolina Courage). The defence is anchored by players such as Kadeisha Buchanan (Chelsea FC) and Ashley Lawrence (OL Lyonnes). Midfield and attack feature the likes of Jessie Fleming (Portland Thorns FC), Julia Grosso (Chicago Red Stars) and Olivia Smith (Arsenal W.F.C.), among others.
| Position | Selected players (highlights) |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Melissa Dagenais, Sabrina D’Angelo, Lysianne Proulx, Kailen Sheridan |
| Defenders | Kadeisha Buchanan, Vanessa Gilles, Ashley Lawrence, Shelina Zadorsky |
| Midfielders | Marie-Yasmine Alidou, Jessie Fleming, Julia Grosso, Emma Regan |
| Forwards | Olivia Smith, Cloé Lacasse, Nichelle Prince, Evelyne Viens |
Local implications and context
For Toronto, the friendly represents more than a tune-up for Canada. It provides a chance for local fans to see elite-level women’s soccer and for the Canadian team to audition combinations in front of home crowds. With several players hailing from or playing for Ontario-based clubs, the match also underscores the province’s role in supplying talent to the national program.
Beyond the immediate spectacle, Toronto’s fixture carries broader implications: the team’s performance in these friendlies will help shape final preparations and selection decisions ahead of the CONCACAF W Championship, where results will determine access to major global events. The championship’s outcome will directly influence Canada’s pathway to the 2027 World Cup in Brazil and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
What fans should know
Supporters planning to attend the Oct. 12 match in Toronto should watch for ticketing and venue announcements from Canada Soccer. The appearance also offers local sponsors and community partners a showcase event as the sport continues to grow across the Greater Toronto Area. For many supporters, the friendly will be an early chance this season to see stars from overseas clubs in Canadian colours.
With the national side ranked ninth and Denmark 12th in the world rankings noted in reporting around the roster announcement, the pair of fixtures promises competitive preparation against strong opposition — a useful measuring stick as Canada aims to secure qualification at the CONCACAF W Championship this autumn.
The roster and match schedule were first reported by The Canadian Press on Sept. 22, 2026.
