Young striker Kervon Kerr leads Canadian under-16 roster for tournament in Mexico

Kervon Kerr, the younger brother of Toronto FC striker Deandre Kerr, has been named to Canada’s under-16 roster for the 4 Nations Tournament later this month in Puebla, Mexico.

The young Canadians will face Costa Rica on Nov. 26, the Dominican Republic on Nov. 27 and Mexico on Nov. 28 at Unidad Deportiva San Juan Cuautlancingo.

Kerr has been a scoring machine in the TFC academy, recording 50-plus goals in the 2024-25 season and adding 15 more in 13 games this year. In July, he was named to the 2025 MLS NEXT All-Star Game.

The Canadian team using the Mexico competition as preparation for qualification for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

Canada made it to the round of 32 at the FIFA U-17 tournament currently underway in Qatar, losing to Ireland in a penalty shootout in the first knockout round. The Canadian men finished second in their group, defeating Uganda, drawing France and losing to Chile.

Canada had failed to record a win in its previous eight trips to the U-17 tournament with a dismal 0-20-4 record.

The Qatar tournament marks the start of the U-17 competition as a 48-team tournament held every year. It was a biennial 24-team tournament from 2007 to 2023.

“We’re excited to get another look at the 2009 age group as we prepare for February’s qualifiers,” Canada U-16 coach Shane Lammie said in a statement. “After two successful camps earlier this year, we have a strong foundation in place and plenty to build on as we look toward 2026.”

In May, the young Canadians took part in a UEFA youth development tournament in Poland and the Memorial José Gaydu U16 Football Tournament in Guadeloupe.

Canada Under-16 Roster

Goalkeepers: Lamsy Keita, CF Montreal academy; Sam Rogers, Vancouver Whitecaps academy.

Defenders: Leon Arkhurst, CF Montreal academy; Seyi Fakiyesi, Atlanta United academy; Sean Gormley, Inter Miami CF; Ethan Heywood, FC Reading (England); Alain Louima, Escuela Fútbol Huesca (Spain); Ulrich Zamble, CF Montreal academy.

Defender/Midfiuelders: Akiz Aguma, Vancouver Whitecaps academy; Edwin Omoregbe, Toronto FC academy.

Midfielders: Eloi Breton, CF Montreal academy; Liam Cook, Castellon CD (Spain); Santiago Del Rio Pineiro, Valencia CF (Spain); Zaky Lachhab, CF Montreal academy; Xavier Laroche, Levante UD (Spain); Niko Wood, SC Heerenveen (the Netherlands); Christopher Lettieri, Delfino Pescara Calcio (Italy); Matteo Rizzo, FC Utrecht (the Netherlands); Silas Schoppitsch, FK Austria Vienna (Austria).

Forwards: Diago Delgado, Rio Ave FC (Portugal); Tyler Brown, Vancouver Whitecaps academy; Kervon Kerr, Toronto FC academy; Kunle Tokode, Vancouver Whitecaps academy.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 19, 2025.