Mexico edges Canada 2-1 in CONCACAF U-20 Championship semifinals

MEXICO CITY — Canada’s quest for a berth in the next Olympic men’s soccer tournament has come to an end at the CONCACAF U-20 Championship in Mexico.

The national squad fell 2-1 to the host nation in Friday’s semifinals, despite a goal from Owen Graham-Roache six minutes into the game.

Mexico equalized early in the second half with Cristobal Alfaro’s 49th-minute tally, and took the lead in the 78th minute when midfielder Hugo Camberos converted a penalty kick.

The result means Mexico will face the United States in Sunday’s final, and secured the nation’s spot at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

Canada finished the group stage of the tournament atop the Group C standings with a 3-0 win over Panama, a 1-1 draw with Honduras and a 2-2 draw with Jamaica before downing Jamaica 3-1 in the quarterfinals.

The performance earned the Canadians a spot in the 2027 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, marking the country’s first return to the tournament since 2007 when it served as host.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 7, 2026.