Bombito returns to Canada’s roster for October men’s soccer friendlies

Canada coach Jesse Marsch is welcoming back a key player for the present and future in the October FIFA international window.

Defender Moise Bombito has returned to the men’s national team roster for games against Australia and Colombia after missing four months following wrist surgery and a tibia stress fracture.

The Canadian men, who rose to a record No. 26 in the latest FIFA world rankings, host No. 25 Australia in Bombito’s hometown of Montreal on Oct. 10 at Stade Saputo before facing No. 14 Colombia on Oct. 14 at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, N.J.

“Really excited that Moise is back,” Marsch said after announcing the roster Monday. “Moise is a really mature young player and has established himself at an incredibly high level with Nice.

“An incredibly important player with a big future. And for us, I think that he’s going to prove to be an incredibly important player for the national team as well.”

Bombito broke out at the 2024 Copa America when he formed a strong centre back duo with Derek Cornelius. A defender for Major League Soccer’s Colorado Rapids at the time, Bombito quickly secured a move to France’s OGC Nice and made 35 appearances in all competitions last season.

The 25-year-old took the pitch in Sunday’s 1-1 Ligue 1 draw against Paris FC and played a full 90 minutes after his injuries forced him out of last summer’s Canadian Shield and CONCACAF Gold Cup, and the September international window.

Marsch said he’s kept in close contact with Bombito over the past weeks and months. He expects the speedy centre back to start in one match during the October window — not both.

“We want to make sure that we’re still careful enough with him that we don’t risk any potential injuries,” he said. “As much as he’s healthy from his wrist and tibia perspective, it’s always a little bit of a danger that when a player comes back after being out for months, that he picks up some muscle injuries.”

Last time out, the Canadian men won a pair of friendlies on European soil, defeating Romania 3-0 and Wales 1-0 with 19-year-old Luc de Fougerolles filling for Bombito at central defence.

Canada remains without several key players, including captain Alphonso Davies (knee) of Bayern Munich, Celtic right back Alistair Johnston (hamstring) and Vancouver Whitecaps defender Sam Adekugbe (Achilles).

Davies resumed training at Bayern in late July. Marsch said a return for November’s international window is likely too soon but “not out of the question.”

“Let’s see how he does over the next month,” he said. “Everybody’s really focused on just making sure that Alphonso has the best chance to come back to a hundred per cent as quickly as possible.”

Johnston, meanwhile, is progressing well after sustaining his injury in late-August.

“Already starting to get on the pitch and do some individual work, which could bode well for him potentially making an early return and being available for November,” Marsch said.

Marsch also called up goalkeeper James Pantemis, who joins Portland Timbers teammate Maxime Crepeau and Minnesota United’s Dayne St. Clair after Jayden Hibbert held the third ‘keeper spot earlier this month.

Winger Liam Millar rejoins the roster following his anterior cruciate ligament tear last October while playing for England’s Hull City. Toronto FC captain Jonathan Osorio, who has 85 caps, is also back in the fold.

Juventus striker Jonathan David and vice-captain Stephen Eustaquio of FC Porto were also named to the 24-man roster.

The men’s national team holds a 3-5-1 record against Australia. In three matches against Colombia, Canada defeated the South Americans 2-0 in the 2000 Gold Cup final and lost in two friendlies.

“This will be a big window for us to see how well we can understand exactly what each opponent presents and then how well we can be exactly what we want to be in each match,” Marsch said. “This is maybe one of the most important windows in terms of competition for our preparation for next summer.

“Two really good opponents and two massive challenges for us.”

In November, Canada is set to face No. 24 Ecuador in Toronto on Nov. 13 and No. 49 Venezuela in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Nov. 18 as the squad continues its road to co-hosting the 2026 World Cup with Mexico and the United States.

Canada Roster

Goalkeepers: Maxime Crepeau, Portland Timbers (MLS); James Pantemis, Portland Timbers (MLS); Dayne St. Clair, Minnesota United (MLS).

Defenders: Zorhan Bassong, Sporting Kansas City (MLS); Moise Bombito, OGC Nice (France); Derek Cornelius, Rangers FC (Scotland), on loan from Olympique de Marseille (France); Luc de Fougerolles, F.C.V. Dender E.H. (Belgium), on loan from Fulham (England); Richie Laryea, Toronto FC (MLS); Niko Sigur, Hajduk Split (Croatia); Joel Waterman, Chicago Fire (MLS).

Midfielders: Ali Ahmed, Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS); Tajon Buchanan, Villarreal CF (Spain); Mathieu Choiniere, LAFC (MLS), on loan from Grasshopper Zurich (Switzerland); Stephen Eustáquio, FC Porto (Portugal); Ismael Kone, U.S. Sassuolo Calcio (Italy), on loan from Olympique de Marseille (France); Liam Millar, Hull City (England); Jayden Nelson, Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS); Jonathan Osorio, Toronto FC (MLS); Nathan Saliba, Anderlecht (Belgium); Jacob Shaffelburg, Nashville SC (MLS).

Forwards: Jonathan David, Juventus (Italy); Promise David, Royale Union Saint-Gilloise (Belgium); Cyle Larin, Feyenoord Rotterdam (Netherlands), on loan from RCD Mallorca (Spain); Tani Oluwaseyi, Villareal CF (Spain).

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 30, 2025.