Canada vs. Romania: What to Expect in Today's Friendly!
Canada Faces Romania in Key Friendly Ahead of World Cup 2026
The Canadian men's national team is set to face Romania in a friendly match today, September 5, 2025, at Arena Națională in Bucharest. This match is a crucial opportunity for coach Jesse Marsch to assess his squad and fine-tune his strategies as Canada prepares to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Following an unexpected quarterfinal exit at the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup, Canada is eager to rebound and build momentum. Marsch emphasizes the importance of these upcoming friendlies against Romania and Wales, treating them as a single, extended training window.
"We've taken a strategy that these next three windows, we're almost treating like one window. So it's six matches, six good matches,” Marsch told reporters. He highlighted the focus on developing leadership and communication on the pitch, while also evaluating the entire squad.
Key Player Battles to Watch
Roster battles are intensifying across various positions, with players vying for starting roles and squad inclusion. The goalkeeping competition between Dayne St. Clair and Maxime Crépeau is particularly noteworthy. St. Clair has recently been favored, but Marsch has confirmed that the starting position for the World Cup remains open.
“Both goalkeepers will get a match in this window, and they know that the competition is still alive, and they've handled it incredibly well,” Marsch stated, emphasizing the maturity and support shown by both players.
Remembering the Last Encounter
The last time Canada and Romania met was in a friendly match during the 2024-2025 season, where Canada secured a 2-1 victory at West Town Stadium. Dwight McNeil delivered a standout performance with two assists.
Starting Lineups
Canada's confirmed lineup includes key players such as Maxime Crépeau in goal, Alphonso Davies on the wing, and Cyle Larin and Jonathan David leading the attack. The full lineup is: Maxime Crépeau, Derek Cornelius, Moïse Bombito, Alphonso Davies, Alistair Johnston, Stephen Eustáquio, Ismaël Koné, Liam Millar, Tajon Buchanan, Cyle Larin, and Jonathan David.
How to Watch
For viewers in the USA, the match kicks off at 2 p.m. ET and can be streamed on Paramount+. Other broadcast times include:
- Argentina: 3 p.m. (Disney+)
- Bolivia: 2 p.m. (Disney+)
- Brazil: 3 p.m. (Disney+)
- Spain: 7 p.m. (Disney+)
- Mexico: 12 p.m. (Disney+)
This friendly match is a vital step in Canada's preparation for the 2026 World Cup. Stay tuned for updates and analysis!