This weekend saw Canada complete a World Cup tune-up tilt against Iceland, with the match finishing a two-two draw that will have left neither side happy. Iceland gave up its two-goal cushion held at half-time, while Canada needed two penalties to rescue a draw against a team ranked thirty-five spots behind them in the FIFA standings.
With Canada less than eighty days away from co-hosting the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup, the Iceland match is the first of four matches scheduled before it’s time for Jesse Marsch and his squad to step onto the greatest stage in the sport. This week’s friendly seemed anything but as we discovered some highs and lows that will help Marsch decide on his final Canada World Cup roster selections.
Without further ado, here’s four big takeaways from the Canada 2 – 2 Iceland match:
Photo Credit: John Jacques
Tough Night At Centre-Back
It goes without saying that it was a tough night for centre-backs Joel Waterman and, in particular, Kamal Miller. Iceland’s two-goal lead in the first half came after a mistake from Kamal Miller on the first, while both defenders were caught lacking as Oskarsson completed a brace through a nearly identical goal to put the visitors up two-nil.
Suffice to say, the absence of Moise Bombito was certainly felt in the middle of Canada’s back line. Despite the first half struggles, Waterman enjoyed a better night in helping the buildup, while Miller saw nearly one quarter of his 47 passes go awry before being replaced by Derek Cornelius in the second half.
With the World Cup fast approaching, this was a tough game for the stock of Miller in particular, and perhaps leaves Jesse Marsch with something to think about – and he’s definitely been doing some thinking of late. The likes of Luc de Fougerolles, Alfie Jones, Jamie Knight-Lebel, and Noah Abatneh all got some minor rotation in the position, as has Ralph Priso in the fall.
With the World Cup fast approaching, who earns starts against Tunisia will leave a lot for the analysts to unpack.
Photo Credit: John Jacques
Les Rouges See Red
While Canada certainly fights with plenty of feistiness – look at Richie Laryea’s trademark hard battling on his flank in literally any match as a good example – Canada is building quite an eyebrow-raising streak of red cards of late. The Iceland match saw Tajon Buchanan ejected for a high elbow against Mikael Ellertsson, marking Canada’s third red card in four games.
It was only in November that Canada went back-to-back in red card games to close out the year. Ismael Kone was ejected sixty minutes into the match against Venezuela, while Ali Ahmed got his marching orders just six minutes into the next match against Ecuador.
Marsch said after this weekend’s match that Canada simply plays physically, but not dirty, though the side will need to watch themselves in World Cup matches where the opposition might be looking to gain any advantage they can carve out from the referees. It’s best not to give them the opportunity.
“Certainly cards like that can change momentum in tournaments,” acquiesced Marsch after the match. “So we have to find a way to eliminate picking up those red cards.”
Photo Credit: John Jacques
Composed In The Comeback
Let’s face it: a two-two draw against an Iceland side that didn’t qualify for the World Cup is certainly not anything Jesse Marsch would call ‘good enough’. He was frustrated with the way his side conceded both goals in the first half, but also saw the fight that the squad came out with in the second half. In tandem with some astute substitutions, we saw the ice-cold composure we’ve come to expect from Jonathan David, who was tasked to take not one, but two penalties and converted both with steadfast efficiency.
As the second half progressed Canada found a strong attacking rhythm with early balls to both flanks causing all kinds of problems for Iceland, with the fast footwork of Buchanan and Flores helping get some good balls into dangerous areas.
Flores touted the squad’s resilience after the second half comeback was complete: “We went two goals down. That’s hard on some teams, to pick themselves back up, but with the mentality and the DNA we have as Canadians, we always find a way to bring it back.”
The fact that Canada did not crumble shows a lot of brotherhood in Marsch’s ranks. This is a no-quit Canada, and that kind of character can prove to be make-or-break under the brightest of lights shone by the World Cup.
Photo Credit: John Jacques
Star Substitutes
It was a long-awaited debut for dual national Marcelo Flores, a Tigres UANL prospect who is shifting allegiances from the Mexico pipeline. The 22-year-old made a bright spark coming off from the bench, swapping flanks with Buchanan and pulling the Icelandic defensive line out of sorts. While he may be taking heat in Mexico for his comments about always feeling more at home in Canada, Flores will have no shortage of fans after his strong debut on Saturday night – and we expect to see more of him on Tuesday, too.
Marsch also introduced Daniel Jebbison late in the match, with the Bournemouth forward earning the penalty which saw ‘Iceman’ Jonathan David tie things up for the hosts, while substitute centre-back Derek Cornelius ensured no further leakage happened to Canada’s backline, which came under less pressure as they grew into their attack in the second half.
At the end of the day, this was a match where missing players like Alphonso Davies and Moise Bombito might have changed the result, but it left Jesse Marsch with a strong opportunity to test out some rotations and see what worked and what didn’t. Ultimately, he saw a bit of both aspects against Iceland, and that’s all part of the process as he works towards assembling his final World Cup roster.
Canada will be back in action on Tuesday for a Tunisian tilt, with June seeing the Reds face Uzbekistan and Ireland before the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup takes centre stage.
Header Image Photo Credit: John Jacques